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NEWS

Surviving a pandemic in the pre-Zoom era

Current Miami University students have faced a variety of struggles due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, such as switching to online classes and having to say goodbye to their friends and return home. But today’s students aren’t the first to live through a pandemic. There have been four influenza pandemics since the beginning of the 20th century — the most deadly being the Spanish flu of 1918.


Miami has rescheduled graduation weekend for early September, but seniors are still sad that their last year at Miami has come to an anti-climactic close.
NEWS

‘My college experience is over’

Oxford is normally quiet without Miami University students on campus. But this time, it’s different.  The small college town usually simmers into a lull once students leave for both winter break and summer vacation. But with classes being moved online for the rest of the semester and Governor Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order, many students decided to leave Oxford to be with family. For seniors, though, this decision meant walking away from the place they’ve called home for the last four years.


“How do you tell an employee that’s been with you for years … I don’t need a housekeeper?”
NEWS

‘You have to laugh or I would be crying’: Coronavirus devastates Oxford businesses, City proposes stimulus program

In Oxford, local owners and managers struggle to keep their businesses afloat while city officials scramble to pass a stimulus grant proposal into law. The college town, which depends on revenue from the Miami University student body — most of whom have left campus, hopes to avoid the worst of the virus’ economic consequences.  But at this point, it’s unclear if it will. 


ShareFest volunteers picked up food and personal care items donated in the residence halls.
FOOD

Local organizations unite to fight food insecurity in Oxford during coronavirus

For Ann Fuehrer, director of the Talawanda Oxford Pantry & Social Services (TOPPS), a single day hosts an array of activities.  From shopping at Kroger, to making sure the shelves are stocked, to answering emails and phone calls, to supervising volunteers, Fuehrer, who took over as director in July 2019, leads one of many efforts to help those struggling with food insecurity in Oxford. 


Miami is set issue tens of millions of dollars in refunds to students in light of the novel coronavirus.
NEWS

Refunds to cost Miami tens of millions of dollars

Miami University will be forced to spend tens of millions of dollars on refunds for housing, meal plans and study abroad programs due to campus closures caused by the spread of novel coronavirus, according to an email sent to the faculty from Provost Jason Osborne on March 19.


NEWS

Miami University announces extensions for alternative grading options

Miami University’s Division of Student Life announced several policy changes and extended deadlines regarding course credit options on its Instagram story Wednesday.  Students are now able to take a grade of incomplete — “IU” for all undergraduate courses and “IG” for all graduate level courses — at any time during the spring 2020 semester. The deadlines to withdraw from undergraduate classes and the deadline to elect for a credit/no credit grading option were also moved to April 17. This is a change from the original February deadline.


NEWS

Farmer School of Business announces new dean

Miami University announced the selection of Jenny Darroch as the new dean of the Farmer School of Business (FSB) on March 18. Darroch, the former dean of the graduate school of management at Claremont Graduate University, was selected from four finalists who came to campus in February to be interviewed by FSB’s search committee and meet with members of the Miami community. 


University administrators are still unsure when Miami professors will receive their COVID-19 vaccines.
NEWS

Miami University freezes hiring as pandemic affects finances

On March 19, Jason Osborne, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, released a statement that Miami University would immediately freeze hiring for non-essential faculty and staff. New hires now require special approval from either Osborne or David Creamer, treasurer and vice president for finance and business services.


Governor Mike DeWine enacted a state-wide stay-at-home order at Sunday's press conference. The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
NEWS

DeWine announces state-wide stay-at-home order

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a state-wide stay-at-home order which will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday night and end on April 6. The new order comes after DeWine’s multiple attempts over the past week to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus through other executive orders such as the closure of restaurants and bars and banning gatherings of more than 50 people. 


NEWS

City Council addresses COVID-19 pandemic

Oxford City Council, which broadcasted its March 17 meeting live, approved waiving all parking meter fees near uptown until further notice.  Vice Mayor Bill Snavely said he brought up this resolution in response to businesses being restricted to delivery and carry-out per Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s orders.