GENERAL QUESTIONS
Based on the current rate of COVID-19 cases in the State of Ohio, particularly in northeast Ohio, and the limited availability of consistent, reliable COVID-19 testing with rapid results for asymptomatic individuals, we have made the decision to delay in-person living and learning at John Carroll University until September 21. We will continue to monitor the pandemic and changes in disease spread in our area, working to evaluate the spread of the virus amongst collegiate populations and seeking improved access to high quality testing materials. These additional weeks will give us time to determine if we can safely bring students back to campus when the current variables indicate that doing so is advisable in light of the health and well-being of our entire community.
At this time, we are monitoring the situation each day with the goal of bringing our students back to campus in late September. With that in mind, we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of our campus community.
In consultation with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and the Cleveland Clinic, we would need to see a reduction in the level of COVID-19 cases in the State of Ohio, specifically in Northeast Ohio. We are actively reviewing the current situation regarding testing, including evolving public health and medical advice and available testing capabilities, before making a determination on the best options for the health and safety of our campus.
Campus remains open with protocols in place to maintain physical distance, but access to buildings will be limited and students should use their ID cards to enter buildings. Current building hours, which are subject to change, are:
- D.J. Lombardo Student Center | Open everyday from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Grasselli Library and Breen Learning Center | Services Also Available Virtually | In-Person Days/Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mail and Copy Center | Monday to Thursday, 9:00 - 1:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 - 11:30 a.m. |
- RecPlex | Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.; Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Closed on Sunday
- Rodman Hall (for Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, and Billing) | Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The John Carroll University experience is more than a classroom. The following student services will be among those that are available virtually for the duration of the delay:
- Academic Success Center
- Campus Ministry
- Career Center
- Center for Service & Social Action (CSSA)
- Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion (CSDI)
- Counseling Center
- Learning Commons
- Office of Student Engagement
- Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
- Student Health and Wellness Center
- Writing Center
ACADEMIC QUESTIONS
Beginning August 31 and throughout the delay, all academic courses will be delivered remotely. Faculty will be in contact with students in each course for introductions and to set expectations. For most courses, the major change will be that the entire class will now be delivered remotely instead of a mix of in-person and online/remote students that we would have experienced.
Yes, faculty members and academic advisors will be available virtually to serve the needs of students.
Faculty have been designing laboratory experiences that meet the learning goals of each course whether students are in the laboratory space or learning remotely. Each instructor will reach out to students to describe the expectations for students and the ways in which material will be delivered.
Our Information Technology Services department is prepared to support students with significant technology needs. Financial Need will be confirmed through the Office of Student Enrollment and Financial Services.
We are working through a process for students to receive their books via in-person pick-up on campus or via mail delivery. A message with this procedure will be distributed to students early next week.
TUITION/FEES QUESTIONS
Tuition will remain the same regardless of the instructional method. The HyFlex model is a different way of providing the high-quality educational experience for which John Carroll is noted. The online element makes HyFlex readily adaptable to all-remote teaching.
More information regarding the total cost of attendance can be found here.
Current JCU Students who are contemplating not returning to JCU should review the leave of absence policy and process which can be found here.
Please keep in mind for students in good academic, financial and conduct standing, a Leave of Absence is in your best interest to allow the continuation of your aid and eliminate the need for you to go through the admission process upon your return.
New incoming first-year or transfer students may request a deferral of admission for one semester or a full year by contacting their Enrollment Manager. Requests for deferrals must be made by August 21, 2020 prior to the start of the fall term and the student must have already submitted their enrollment deposit to JCU.
Questions can be directed to Student Enrollment and Financial Services (SEFS) via enrollment@jcu.edu.
All room and board fees will be removed from student accounts at this time. Charges will be assessed based on the student’s use of residence halls at the end of the Fall semester.
The student activity fee for the fall will be reduced to $140 (from $280). The health and wellness fee will remain the same to support such services as the University Counseling Center, Student Health and Wellness Center, and Student Accessibility Services, all of which remain available to students. The Technology Fee also remains the same due to the enhanced technology in place to support virtual and remote learning. The Parking Fee will be reduced to $100 for the fall semester and will be available for purchase beginning September 10.
Unless a financial aid item is specifically designated to cover room and board charges, there will be no impact to your financial aid award at this time. Please direct any specific questions about your financial aid to the SEFS office via enrollment@jcu.edu.
A revised billing statement will be sent on August 24th reflecting the adjustments listed above.
Any overpayment will be processed as a refund the first week of the fall term.
Yes. Information about student employment opportunities and the process to obtain or return to a position will be sent to all students the week before classes begin.
RESIDENCE LIFE QUESTIONS
Residence Hall move-in will take place over an extended period of time prior to the start of in-person learning on September 21. Residential students will receive information about the dates of the move-in process and the timeline for selecting a new move-in time the week of August 24.
Move-in will be scheduled and staggered over a period of several days. Students will be able to sign-up for a two-hour move-in period. They will be limited to having only two (2) individuals assist them and all will be required to wear masks and follow all safety protocols during the process. More complete details will be shared with residential students when the move-in sign-up process is communicated.
Single-occupancy room options are still available. Students interested in exploring this option should contact the Office of Residence Life via email at jcureslife@jcu.edu no later than Friday, August 21, 2020.
Students who wish to request a release from the Housing Agreement must complete the Request for Release process available on the Office of Residence Life website.
Students who are not living on campus this Fall are eligible to return to on-campus housing for the Spring semester. The Office of Residence Life will outline a process for applying for Spring Housing later in the Fall semester.
Please note: If a student is released from their Fall housing assignment and the Housing Agreement, we are not able to guarantee the same assignment for the Spring semester should a student choose to return to on-campus housing. Our staff will work with students interested in housing for the Spring semester to determine the best placement based on their preference and the available options.
Dining services will be available and meal plans will be active when students move into on-campus housing.
John Carroll University will not be relaxing the residency requirement for first-year or sophomore students. All of our planning has been done in light of our commitment to the health and safety of our students. Our cleaning protocols and interim policies have all been developed based on the guidance we have sought and received from health professionals and agencies, including the CDC, the State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County, and the Cleveland Clinic. We also have plans for quarantining, isolating, and supporting residential students who are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19. We will be working students and staff to monitor and respond to behavior in the residence halls that is not aligned with our expectations and policies. Finally, if University leaders determine we must transition to a fully remote Fall semester due to the reasons outlined in Dr. Johnson’s letter, access to campus facilities and other campus activities may be further limited. In addition to the aforementioned reasons, we recognize that the off-campus environment is unmonitored and that potential reductions in access to campus facilities/activities if we are in a remote environment, along with leases that offer limited flexibility for students and their families, add additional challenges that our continuation of the residency requirement allows us to mitigate.
Visit our 2020 Fall Plan page for additional information or e-mail covid-response@jcu.edu and your question will be routed to the appropriate area.