Dear Faculty,
On April 8, 2024, a total eclipse will occur in Cleveland, a rare event that is expected to draw spectators from around the world. As city and county emergency management agencies plan for such a large influx of people, the university is also considering how best to manage operations that day. In consultation with the Faculty Senate, we have determined that we will not hold classes on campus Monday, April 8 (pending Board of Trustee approval).
While details are still being discussed, we wanted to alert you of this decision as you prepare your course syllabi for Spring 2024. We are not expecting or requiring that classroom hours missed on April 8 will need to be made up for most undergraduate and graduate courses. In cases in which hours may need to be recovered, faculty members should make decisions in consultation with their chairs and/or deans on how to best proceed in these cases.
As we return to campus in January, we will provide additional details on the wide-ranging planning around the eclipse. Faculty throughout the university are planning semester-long educational programming around the event.
Meanwhile, please have a wonderful winter break.
Sincerely,
Joy K. Ward
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President