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NEWS

‘All my motivation has disappeared’

When Miami University President Greg Crawford decided to move classes online for the rest of the semester on March 13, the Miami community was thrown into a state of uncertainty. Because the current situation is unprecedented, both students and faculty have had to navigate the world of online learning on their own. Needless to say, the transition has been easier for some than others.


Trying to keep a sense of community during the pandemic, one Oxford resident has created a little library in front of his home.
NEWS

Oxford resident creates his own little library

Just past the winding turns of Melissa Drive in Oxford, a small red mailbox sits out in front of one of the homes. Inside, the custom-built mailbox is full of novels, children's books and an array of reading material. On the outside of the mailbox, a sign reads, “Santa’s Little Free Library Take a Book — Leave a Book.”


NEWS

Oxford City Council discusses evictions in Oxford

The Oxford City Council unanimously passed a resolution that would encourage the Area I Court of Butler County, located on High Street, to suspend evictions caused by the novel coronavirus for at least 60 days after the stay-at-home order is lifted.


Since students have left Oxford due to threats of the novel coronavirus, Miami University's campus has been extremely quiet.
NEWS

‘It’s like 3 a.m. Oxford’

Miami University President Greg Crawford sent out a university-wide email announcing the decision to move all face-to-face instruction online for the rest of the spring semester on Friday, March 13, due to the threat of the novel coronavirus. Three days later, Dean of Students Kimberly Moore sent out an email with the message, “We strongly urge you to promptly leave campus while you are able to do so.” 


NEWS

Students and rental agencies struggle as tenants leave Oxford

The streets of Oxford are quiet. Uptown no longer bustles on Friday nights. High Street businesses that stay open late are closing earlier and, in some cases, closing up shop all together until Governor Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order is lifted. But still, some Miami University upperclassmen remain in Oxford, living in the homes they rented through the end of the semester. For students living in apartment complexes, the stay-at-home order means restricted access to amenities they’ve already paid for.


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.

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