NEOMED will reduce on-campus operations on day of eclipse
Dear NEOMED Community,
As you know, a total solar eclipse will cross a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio on April 8, 2024. The totality will occur between noon and 4 p.m. with Portage County experiencing the peak eclipse around 3:15 p.m. And while the total eclipse will last for only about three minutes, the impact will last much longer. The once-in-a-lifetime event will bring many people to Northeast Ohio, and high-volume traffic congestion throughout Portage County is anticipated.
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) and the Portage County Solar Eclipse Planning Committee have recommended that businesses allow staff to work remotely where possible. In addition to heavy traffic conditions (before, during and after the eclipse), communications requiring cell phone service and internet bandwidth may be limited due to heightened network use. Supplies such as food and gasoline also may be limited, particularly in high travel areas.
In order to reduce the impact to our students, faculty and staff, and surrounding areas, NEOMED will engage in reduced on-campus operations on April 8.
Working, learning, and teaching remotely
Employees are encouraged to utilize one of their two days per week remote work to avoid coming to campus unless their job requires them to report to campus. For example, campus operations staff members are expected to report to work as usual, as are NEOMED police. Employees located at sites other than the Rootstown campus are expected to report to work unless notified of cancellations, closures or other accommodations. Employees should always check with their managers to understand their expectations for remote or on campus work.
For students, lectures will be recorded and downloaded in advance or rescheduled. Labs, tests and other in-person activities will be rescheduled. Colleges will communicate any necessary schedule changes to students.
For clinical experiences, unless the site notifies students directly of cancellations, closures or other accommodations, students are expected to attend and are strongly encouraged to allow substantial extra commuting time or make other accommodations to allow for the expected traffic delays that they may encounter when traveling to clinical sites.
Absence policies are delineated in the Compass Student Handbook for your reference.
What is a total eclipse?
According to the U.S. National Space and Aeronautics Administration (NASA), a solar eclipse happens when the moon casts a shadow on the Earth, fully or partially blocking the sun’s light in some areas. The last total solar eclipse in Ohio occurred in 1806. After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, there won’t be another total solar eclipse in Ohio until the year 2099.
One can’t normally see the corona — the Sun’s outer atmosphere – because the Sun’s surface below it is so much brighter. But during a total solar eclipse, the corona becomes visible, offering unique opportunities to study it.
When the Moon completely blocks the visible surface of the Sun during a total solar eclipse, viewers can remove their eclipse glasses. A total solar eclipse is the only type of solar eclipse where eclipse glasses can be momentarily removed.
Safety is the number one priority when viewing a total solar eclipse. Be sure you're familiar with when you need to wear specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing by reviewing these safety guidelines.
To learn more, visit Ohio Total Solar Eclipse.
Sincerely,
Mary Taylor, Senior Vice President, Operations and Finance