Eastern Kentucky University Board of Regents members have been briefed on the first month of fall instruction during the coronavirus pandemic.
EKU Public Safety and Risk Management Director Bryan Makinen says there have been a total of 88 COVID-19 cases so far this semester with 29 residential students, 47 non-residential, eight staff members, and four others. Makinen said the classroom structure strategies including some in-person classes are working. “We are not seeing at this point in time a transmission within the classroom environment, based on the experience of those reported to us positive and/or symptomatic students,” said Makinen.
Makinen noted virus spread is primarily found in off campus living groups and extra-curricular activities.
EKU is offering a mix of online and in-class instruction. Eastern Board Chair Lewis Diaz asked EKU President David McFaddin if class is occurring without major issues. “Mr. President, if you’ll indulge me, ‘When did we open dorms to the general student population? Asked Diaz.
“We started the move in on August the eighth,” said McFaddin
“So, we’re a month in and we’re still very confident that we have the ability to continue moving forward. Is that correct? Said Diaz
“Absolutely,” McFaddin said.
McFaddin said students are being held accountable with a degree of grace. But, he added egregious violations could affect a student’s future on the Richmond campus.
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