Dear students and colleagues,
Governor Brown announced last Friday that most remaining COVID-19 restrictions in Oregon are lifted as of today. Below are the changes you can expect as SOU follows suit – including changes to our existing policy on mandatory face coverings and a return to regular summertime operations for most on-campus programs and offices.
The Daily Health Check Survey is no longer required. If an employee is feeling ill, they are expected to contact their appropriate supervisor and not come to campus. Students should submit an SOU Cares Note for appropriate follow-up and resources.
SOU’s requirements for face coverings and physical distancing in all public spaces are no longer in effect. We are reviewing all of our pandemic policies and practices, and will further adjust them based on guidance from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We are finalizing a vaccination policy that takes effect in September and will share more information as soon as it is available. In the meantime, we encourage anyone who is not fully vaccinated to continue wearing a mask indoors, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SOU will make masks available to students and employees who choose to wear them for any reason. It is important to respect the decisions of all members of our campus community regarding both vaccination status and the use or non-use of face coverings.
As our COVID-19 restrictions ease, we will transition to a mostly normal summer schedule, with offices and programs operating as they have in past years. Some offices are already open, and other service areas have posted their updated hours of public access.
I encourage all of us to remain vigilant going forward. Please be mindful of your health, and stay home if you feel sick. Your friends and colleagues will thank you for being considerate of their well-being.
Sincerely,
Greg Perkinson
Vice President for Finance and Administration
and Incident Management Team commander
