Happy First Friday!
You’ve made it through the first two weeks of this unprecedented Fall Semester!
For those of you who are new to our Bobcat student community, know that I have a tradition of sharing a monthly update with our University community on the First Friday of each month. Of course, this is no normal First Friday, this is not a normal semester, and these are not normal times. What hasn’t changed, though, is that Ohio University is committed to your success no matter where you are in your academic career and no matter where you are in the world. As President, I am deeply and personally committed to your individual success, and I am ready to work with you to make this the best semester we can despite the massive disruption that COVID-19 has brought to our lives and our learning.
On Tuesday, we will be announcing our plans for Phase 2 for the fall semester. Our public health experts from across the University have been working closely with leadership to develop plans for Phase 2, which are focused on delivering the best possible student experience while minimizing health and safety risks to our community. Our most powerful tool in keeping our community safe is our shared commitment to following public health guidance.
Today, I want to remind you about a few items we need you to help us with, and to make sure you are aware of the numerous resources available to you.
- If you will be coming to any of our campuses this fall, you must first take the OHIO Pledge and complete the Online Training Course.
- All students are required to complete the Campus COVID Safety Assessment every day before leaving their residence hall and/or leaving home to come to campus.
- No matter where you are, we would like you to wear masks while in public, maintain physical distancing, avoid being in large groups of people whenever possible and follow the safety guidelines of your communities. In Athens, for example, the mask mandate requires wearing face coverings in public spaces, including the insides of businesses that are open to the public and at outdoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible. Face masks are also required on public transportation in the city of Athens.
- As part of our University’s response to the pandemic, we are participating in contact tracing efforts to help us better track COVID-19 cases and control outbreaks. If you are contacted by Ohio University or the public health department as part of a contact tracing program, it is important that you cooperate and assist with the program. All information that you provide will be kept confidential, but non-cooperation will be reported to the university. This video from the Athens City-County Health Department provides more information on contact tracing.
- If you have COVID-19 related questions, you are encouraged to call the COVID-19 hotline at 877-OU-COV19 (877-682-6819). This Be Safe Bobcats webpage provides additional information on the hotline and healthcare resources available to you.
- If you have COVID-19 or know of a case or exposure, you are expected to fill out this form.
- Anyone who is experiencing symptoms, has had a test or has been exposed must have return-to-school/work clearance from OhioHealth or the Health Department. This documentation can be submitted through the incident report or the assigned public health case manager.
- This time is incredibly stressful for all of us, and we are very concerned with how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the mental health of our community. Our staff at Counseling and Psychological Services is here to help you and can be reached at 740-593-1616. Counseling and Psychological Services has also provided helpful Psychological Tips for Managing Coronavirus Concerns for all students.
We will be sending you more messages about health and safety this fall, in addition to the announcement about Phase 2 on Tuesday. Thank you for all that you are doing to help our University Community. I hope that you enjoy the long holiday weekend and that you continue to follow the safety guidelines, keep up with your homework and know that we are here to support you today and every day.
Go Bobcats!
