UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — John Carroll University has announced that they will continue remote learning for the duration of the fall semester amid the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.
The announcement from JCU President, Dr. Michael D. Johnson, comes after much discussion about providing the best academic and student experience while protecting the physical and mental health, safety and well-being of the John Carroll community.
"With these priorities squarely in focus, we have made the difficult, but prudent decision to maintain remote learning and off-campus living through the end of the fall semester," Dr. Johnson's announcement reads. "We care deeply about you and your overall experience, and bringing you back to on-campus living and learning at this time is simply not the right decision."
The announcement comes just one day after Gov. Mike DeWine announced that 18-22-year-old's make up 35 percent of COVID-19 cases in Ohio during the last seven days.
The college initially delayed the return to campus for three weeks as the ongoing situation evolved and a need for asymptomatic testing raised concern.
"On August 25, we began testing all residential students and student athletes during phase one of our asymptomatic student testing protocol," Dr. Johnson's announcement continues. "To date, we have received test results for 852 students, and while that testing is ongoing, it has so far revealed 26 positive cases in our community, including at least one 'cluster' of cases among students living off campus."
With public health authorities anticipating a Labor Day surge in cases, the decision to continue remote learning was made in-part with on-campus students returning during the 14 day incubation period of the virus.
