YSU plans return to “near normal” operations for Fall Semester 2021

Also planning for in-person commencement ceremonies this Spring

Youngstown State University is planning in-person commencement ceremonies this Spring and a return to “near normal” operations in the Fall, including more face-to-face classes, more students in residence halls and more activities and events on campus.

“As treatments improve, protocols are more closely followed and vaccine distribution expands, we are hopeful that, come August and the start of Fall Semester 2021, YSU will be at a new stage of our COVID-19 pandemic response,” President Jim Tressel said today in an email message to students and employees.

“That said, our goal is to return to near normal operations this coming Fall here at Youngstown State University.”

He also said that, with updated COVID-19 guidelines announced last week by Gov. DeWine, YSU is planning to conduct in-person Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 8, at Stambaugh Stadium, with May 9 as a rain date.

“Safety is our top priority,” he said. “Protocols such as face coverings and social distancing will remain in place. We are looking forward to gathering together to recognize the tremendous work of our graduates. More details to come.”

Tressel emphasized that plans for the Fall Semester and for commencement remain tentative. “It’s important to understand that, while we are planning and preparing for a return to near normal operations, we also know that those plans can be altered at any time,” he added.

More details on the Fall Semester will be announced throughout the Spring and Summer. For the latest updates, visit the YSU Coronavirus Information page.

“You’ve all faced great, unprecedented challenges; your perseverance through it all has been remarkable,” Tressel told campus. “And now it finally feels like there may be reason for optimism. If the availability of vaccines continues to expand, and if the disease does not take any more crazy turns, the opportunity to approach a more normal way of ‘doing college’ could be in our grasp again here at YSU.”