To the Case Western Reserve University community,
The April 8 total eclipse is expected to draw many visitors from around the world to Cleveland. Given this projected influx of people and expected traffic restrictions, please note the following important schedule changes:
- Undergraduate and Graduate Students: With the approval of the Board of Trustees, we will not hold classes on campus Monday, April 8. This includes no remote offerings in the undergraduate and graduate courses. The event has been added to the spring 2024 academic calendar, giving students the day off. All student-facing facilities such as libraries, dining halls and recreational areas will continue to operate as usual.
- Professional Programs: The professional programs may have different requirements. To date, on April 8, the School of Law will not hold classes, the School of Medicine’s Cleveland Master of Science in Anesthesia program will observe a wellness day, and the Physician Assistant program will not hold classes for first and second year students. For other professional programs, school and/or program leadership will communicate plans.
- Faculty: Faculty members who plan to be on campus on April 8 for research or to meet other requirements are advised to consider traffic issues that may impact travel to/from the university. When possible, arrange activities and meetings off-campus.
- Non-essential Staff Members: Non-essential staff members will have the option to work from home on April 8 with approval from their supervisor. Deans and vice presidents will determine which staff are non-essential. This is not a university holiday—staff members should discuss their situations with their supervisors well in advance of April 8.
- School of Dental Medicine Clinic: The clinic will be closed on April 8.
Faculty and staff should reach out to their deans and supervisors with any questions regarding work from home.
In addition, local public safety officials expect traffic congestion in the region between the hours of 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. They have advised of heavier traffic in downtown Cleveland, the western Cuyahoga County suburbs and into Lorain County, as well as Shoreway closures around the downtown area. There also will be traffic restrictions on Wade Oval for an eclipse-viewing event.
We invite those who are on campus on April 8 to join any of the university’s many eclipse-related events. This is a special opportunity, and we look forward to experiencing it as a campus community.
Sincerely,
Eric W. Kaler
President