KENT, Ohio — As college campuses across the state of Ohio begin distributing the COVID-19 vaccine, Kent State University has announced its plan to get as many students vaccinated as possible.
On Wednesday, Manfred van Dulmen, Associate Provost of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies, held a press briefing and announced that the University will host vaccine clinics, beginning Thursday, April 8 and concluding on Tuesday, April 13, at the Kent State Ice Arena.
Registration for the clinics is required. Students can register online or by phone at 330-672-2525.
At the clinics, students will be able to receive the one-shot, Johnson and Johnson vaccine from a supply allocated by the Ohio Department of Health and Governor Mike DeWine.
Students at Kent State's regional campuses in Ashtabula, Salem and Stark & Tuscarawas will also have the opportunity to get vaccinated. A complete list of the times and locations can be found by, clicking here.
In addition to the vaccine announcement, Van Dulmen also acknowledged that Friday would be the last day of in-person classes for students. The University is transitioning to solely remote learning following their scheduled Spring Break, a strategy he says is not new and was developed last year.
"We moved our spring break two weeks, so that, to really reduce travel back and forth to campus of students," Van Dulmen explained. "We are not doing this currently based on new information."
Despite the implementation of COVID testing sites and the impending vaccine clinics, the University has seen a rise in cases in the last ten to 14 days. Officials are encouraging everyone to remain vigilant, adhering to the mitigation strategies put in place to stop and slow the spread of the Coronavirus.
When asked by 3News' Monica Robins whether or not the University would require students to be vaccinated in order to return in the fall, Van Dulmen answered saying, it's not something they're considering at this time.
"We are not currently considering requiring vaccinations for access to any part of campus including living at the residence halls," he explained.
For more information on Kent State University and its COVID-19 police and procedures, click here.