Office of the Registrar

Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Dear OSU students,

As we settle into fall term, I write to share a few updates with you.

Physical Distancing Policy Update: We continue to make a low-density environment a priority within our campuses in Corvallis and Bend, and our centers and offices statewide. Adhering to a low-density presence contributes to the health and safety for those who are required to report to work onsite, as well as for faculty and students who are living, learning and conducting research in university environments.

As onsite operations and activity have increased with the start of fall term, questions have arisen that prompt an update to the university’s Physical Distancing Policy. Oregon Health Authority’s Statewide Reopening Guidance provides capacity levels based on what is defined as a gathering or social get-together. We have updated the university’s policy to further limit attendance at gatherings held within university environments. All university gatherings or social get-togethers, and non-university gatherings or social get-togethers, held on university-owned or OSU-controlled property, are required to restrict attendance to no more than 10 people and must adhere to applicable OHA industry-specific guidance. University gatherings for the purposes of in-person instruction, research, extension and outreach activities, university business, and university intercollegiate athletic events that conform to guidelines provided by the Governor’s Office, OHSA, an appropriate county health authority, and OSU policy are permitted and are limited to the number of people specified in applicable OHA or Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s guidelines.

Face Coverings Remain Important: Overall, adherence to the university’s Face Covering Policy remains high. OSU requires faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors at all OSU locations to use face coverings. Face coverings—masks, cloth face coverings or face shields—must be used in enclosed public and common areas in university environments and outdoor areas where physical distancing is not easily maintained. Please continue to remain vigilant and utilize the university’s general guidance as a resource.

TRACE OSU and Wastewater Testing Continue: We are very proud of the innovative work of TRACE OSU. Through voluntary COVID-19 testing of hundreds of faculty, staff and students in Corvallis and Bend and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, as well as wastewater surveillance, we are able to understand the prevalence of COVID-19 in the university community and respond with public health measures and assistance. We appreciate all of those who have enrolled and participated in TRACE OSU thus far.  If you have not done so already, please sign up by using this link to enroll. We appreciate your participation and will be providing surprise incentives for those that do. Enrolling takes only a minute, testing takes less than five minutes and you need not be working on-campus to be invited to participate. Your personal information will be kept secure and your results will be provided to you by secure e-mail, typically within 48 hours. As required, results of positive tests will be provided to the local county health authority to aid in contact tracing (and for students, the information is also provided to OSU Administration for operational decisions).

In closing, I want to acknowledge the many challenges that the pandemic is causing. The pressures you are experiencing go beyond adjusting to a change in school environment and certainly we could all use some relief. As we move forward, I assure you that we will continue to be mindful of how OSU’s planning and response provides for clarity and confidence, while also seeking to ease some of the challenges you are experiencing. Please continue to reach out to one another and consider ways that you can connect and support each other safely. Remember to connect with resources available to you as students, (OSU Cascades) including mental health support, online resilience tools, and 24-hour hotline services to help with the emotional impacts of the pandemic as well as guidance on how to help  yourself and your friends stay healthy.

Be well,

Dan Larson

Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Oregon State University

Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs

studentaffairs.oregonstate.edu

Dear OSU Corvallis students,

We write to announce decisions regarding instruction for winter term for the Corvallis campus.

Based on continued careful monitoring of the status of the COVID-19 pandemic locally, throughout Oregon and nationally, we have decided that OSU’s Corvallis campus will continue providing instruction primarily through remote modalities for winter term 2021. Winter term plans for the OSU-Cascades campus will be announced by Oct. 15. 

We will continue to use remote delivery to contribute to student wellness and educational success, limit the density of activity on-campus and in the Corvallis community, and help minimize the possible spread of COVID-19. As with fall term, courses offered on-site will primarily be those that have a heavy experiential learning component, such as labs, field courses and some graduate courses.

By the time registration opens in mid-November, the OSU Schedule of Classes will list the instructional modality for each course, as determined in consultation with academic units. Our aim is to limit the need for students to change where they live based on how winter term courses are offered.

We plan to have the following building open on the Corvallis campus during winter term: those with classrooms and teaching laboratories used for in-person instruction and applied learning, UHDS residence halls and dining centers, the Memorial Union, Dixon Recreation Center, Valley Library, and other buildings that provide child care, Student Health Services, food services, emergency assistance and study spaces (such as LInC). OSU updates the open/closed buildings list regularly. Student advising will continue to be provided mostly remotely.

Residence halls will continue to be open for students who decide that living on campus is their best and safest option. Students who chose to remain in their home community during fall term but wish to live on campus for winter and spring terms are welcome to live on campus. Visit University Housing & Dining Services’ or email housing@oregonstate.edu.

As we plan for spring term, we will closely monitor COVID-19 conditions and if possible, provide increased in-person instruction, extra-curricular and experiential learning opportunities for students. We will communicate more details on spring term as winter term is underway.

Winter term tuition and fees will be the same as fall term. Student fees for the academic year will be based upon recommendations from student leaders in Corvallis and at OSU-Cascades.

Thank you in advance for remaining flexible and adaptable as we continue to prioritize your health, safety and educational success. Thank you for being a resilient and responsible member of Beaver Nation.

Sincerely,

F. King Alexander                                                                           

President                            

Edward Feser

Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear OSU students,

We are finalizing our plans for delivering an engaging university experience for fall term. Even while this fall will be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you will benefit from exceptional instruction and world-class faculty. You also will have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research while interacting with fellow students no matter where you choose to live and learn. We will meet you where you are to achieve your academic goals.

Like you, I continue to watch as universities across the nation come back together for the new academic year. We have seen examples of virus outbreaks associated with activities that we all know do not represent university communities at their best and have serious health consequences for students. I also have been inspired by other universities’ students, faculty, staff and local communities who have come together to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19. And when cases did occur, I have been impressed by universities rapidly responding with testing and containment efforts. I know that the OSU community will rise to the challenge. And, make no mistake, this fall, we will need to be at our best to keep all Beavers healthy.

I am writing as a fellow Beaver. I ask you to join me in taking every possible precaution to minimize the spread of COVID-19 wherever you choose to live and learn this fall -- in Corvallis, Bend, Newport or at home.

• Beavers are protectors. It is critical that you follow OSU’s Face Covering and Physical Distancing policies, and when you gather socially, you do so in groups of ten or fewer and in a manner that respects our surrounding community. These policies are designed to contribute to your wellness and safety, support the safety of our surrounding communities, and support your success in shared learning, living, and working environments.

• Beaver are builders. Throughout spring and summer, our students have been outspoken in expressing their care for the health and safety of those around them, especially their peers and family members who may be at higher risk for more serious disease. If this continues through the coming academic year, together we will build a safer and healthier community.

While I anticipate that all Beavers will rise to this unprecedented call for community care and personal responsibility, please be aware that behavior that places yourself or others in harm’s way will be taken very seriously. Should the university receive a report that a student or student organization has placed fellow students or the surrounding community at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19, disciplinary sanctions, including up to suspension or expulsion, may result.

I am inspired every day by the actions and values of members of Beaver Nation. As students, faculty and staff, we are all leaders, role models, supporters, and responsible citizens. Together, we will rise to the challenge and responsibly confront the realities of this uninvited pandemic with thoughtful behavior, compassion and community care.

Together, we help build a safer and healthier community.

Thank you and Go Beavs,

F. King Alexander

OSU President

OSU community members,

I greatly appreciate and recognize all that the Oregon State University community is accomplishing and addressing at this remarkable time. Without doubt, the times in which we live, teach, work and attend college are like none other.

During this time of a pandemic, economic recession, horrific wildfires, racial inequity and injustice, and months of continued budgetary uncertainty, each of you have risen to address these and other challenges with dedication, care for one another, resilience and the can-do attitude of this incredible university. Thank you. 

On Thursday, Oct. 8, I completed my 100th day as your university president. Upon this occasion, I would like to share a few thoughts with you in this communication and a recorded video message.

Your commitment, intellect, community resolve and the mission of land grant institutions like Oregon State University have never been needed more than they are today – nationally or globally. Thanks to OSU’s teaching, research, outreach, student engagement and thirst for learning, as well as stakeholder and alumni support, we have the tools to address the immense challenges facing us.

We must address the pandemic with scientific research and discovery. Each of us must contribute to personal and community wellness with resolve by engaging in public health practices each and every day. We must eradicate systemic racism and advance the lives of Black, Indigenous and People of Color. We must help bridge the gaps between rural and urban communities in health, educational attainment, economic resilience and environmental sustainability. We must provide transformative Oregon State University educational opportunities for all Oregonians regardless of their zip code, family wealth or the color of their skin.

We can address these matters by working together within OSU and with partners in education, community, business, and state and local governments in Oregon and beyond.

We benefit from many advantages at OSU, including the diversity and excellent scholarship, service and research work that our faculty and staff pursue each day. Looking ahead, we will need even more interdisciplinary research, teaching, outreach and solutions. OSU’s Strategic Plan 4.0 will guide us to advance even greater preeminence in research, scholarship and innovation; provide a transformative and accessible education for all learners; contribute significant and visible impact in Oregon and beyond; and advance a culture of belonging, inclusivity, collaboration and innovation.

The many challenges facing our state and nation heighten OSU’s role and our students’ opportunity. As the land grant and people’s university of the State of Oregon, we are well-positioned to redefine what a 21st century land grant university means to society today and in the decades to come.

Know that you can count on me as part of this special team of people to work collaboratively with you; listen and learn; find ways together to address the many issues we face; and help advance the success of our students, faculty and staff, and Oregon State University.

Sincerely,

F. King Alexander

President

Dear OSU community members,

The university is launching a new Community Wellness, Education & Safety Network for the Corvallis campus to better coordinate and holistically provide existing and new crisis prevention, mental health, public safety services and response, and other support services.

Like communities across the nation, our community and university leaders are focusing collective attention and dialogue on the fact that wellness and public safety are often experienced differently by those who hold marginalized identities, including Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC). This much-needed attention is occurring as OSU transitions Corvallis campus law enforcement from a contract with the Oregon State Police to a university-delivered program.

Development of the new public safety program has included valuable input from many community stakeholders, including students, faculty and staff members, who have clearly stated the university needs to rethink how it serves student wellness and safety. The Community Wellness, Education & Safety Network is in response to that feedback.

The network will consist of three program components: community health and crisis response; public safety and security services; and community relations, education and outreach. It will provide:

• Strong collaboration among university department such as the Office of the Dean of Students, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, the Department of Public Safety, including the university’s police department, the Office of Institutional Diversity, and others.
• The addition of new personnel, who have appropriate training, credentials, and experience to develop and provide crisis response programs and services.
• An emphasis on educational and community engagement programming, while on-campus public safety and licensed law enforcement programs will work closely in coordination.
• Additional staff resources within the Division of Student Affairs to provide after hours on-call student mental health crisis response services and personnel.
• Close alignment with existing university teams, such as the student care team, threat assessment team and bias response team.
• Service to Corvallis university students on and off-campus. Student-centric and trauma-informed response services will take into account the unique nature of each student and each situation or crisis and respond with care and appropriate resources. For example, the network will be a critical resource in facilitating the university’s response to matters such as welfare checks, non-violent conflict resolution and substance abuse crises, and providing support for mental health crises.
• Inclusion of campus law enforcement, which will enable effective situational assessment and response to matters that have the potential to involve or develop into active violence or criminal activity.

The university also cares about the health and well-being of its employees. As part of OSU’s Culture of Care, we have introduced a new employee assistance program called Beyond Benefits. Here is link to that program. Areas of service include family needs, financial needs, mental and emotional support, and legal needs.

The university also is joining the city of Corvallis, Benton County and other community partners in on-going discussions regarding collaboration, community needs and areas of possible expansion of wellness and crisis response services that may provide new support to community members experiencing mental health crisis.

In the coming weeks, we will provide additional information on opportunities for students, faculty and staff to learn more about the network; contribute ideas to its development, as well as finalizing position descriptions for new student-serving crisis response personnel. In the meantime, please visit the new Community Wellness, Education & Safety Network website for more information.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Green                                                               Dan Larson
Vice President for Finance and Administration                 Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Chief Financial Officer                             

Office of the Vice President

Division of Finance and Administration

Oregon State University

640 Kerr Administration Building

Corvallis, OR 97331

Ph: 541-737-2447

Oregon State students,

We are officially retiring the MyOSU portal on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. This means you will no longer be able to access myosu.oregonstate.edu, and will instead be redirected to my.oregonstate.edu.

How does this affect me?

Just keep using the new MyOregonState dashboard and sending in your feedback! We would love to hear what you think about the dashboard and learn how we can make MyOregonState an even better experience for you.

For help with the MyOregonState dashboard or to submit feedback, visit https://beav.es/o5y.

Thank you,

Derek Whiteside, Director, Web and Mobile Services

Oregon State University | University Information and Technology

OSU community members,

The 2020 General Election is less than a month away. Oregon’s vote-by-mail system makes it easy for those registered to vote in this state to exercise your right to vote even during these unprecedented times. In order to vote in the Nov. 3, 2020, election, you must register to vote by Tuesday, Oct. 13.

If you are eligible to vote in the U.S., but have not yet registered to vote, we encourage you to do so through ASOSU’s TurboVote. This system makes it efficient for eligible OSU students, faculty and staff to register to vote, update registration information, and receive election reminders.

If you are already registered to vote in Oregon, please take a moment to review your voter registration information through the Secretary of State’s website.

It is especially important to ensure your mailing address is updated as to where you will be in residence on Nov. 3. In Oregon, it is legal to have ballots mailed to your current mailing address even if that location is different from your residential voting address. Additionally, if you have changed your signature, or party registration, you must update your voter registration information with the Secretary of State. All voter registration information must be updated by Tuesday, Oct. 13.

If you are registered to vote in a different state and are residing in Oregon at this time, you will need to apply for an absentee ballot through your home county or state’s elections office. It is not legal for anyone, including the post office, to forward your ballot.

More information for student voters can be found here.

If you are eligible to vote, please take the time to register to vote — and once registered, please participate in the election. If you have questions or need information about voter registration, please visit the appropriate elections office website:

Benton County Elections Department:

(541) 766-6756, https://www.co.benton.or.us/elections 

Deschutes County Elections Department:

(541) 388-6547, https://www.deschutes.org/clerk/page/elections-and-voting          

Lincoln County Elections Department:

(541) 265-4131, http://www.co.lincoln.or.us/clerk/election-history 

For all other county elections offices in Oregon: http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Pages/countyofficials.aspx

Sincerely,                                                       

F. King Alexander

President
Oregon State University                                                             

Associated Students of Oregon State University

Associated Students of Cascades Campus                                     

OSU Faculty Senate                             

United Academics of OSU

SEIU Local 083                                                           
Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT 6069

Members of the OSU community,

I am writing regarding a recent U.S. Presidential Executive Order that prohibits recipients of federal contracts and grants from engaging in training of certain concepts related to implicit bias, structural racism and other social justice topics.

I understand that many of you are deeply concerned about this Executive Order or news of a federal investigation of statements made by Princeton University’s president regarding combatting institutional racism. 

I want you to know that I and all university leaders share your concerns. We are evaluating the Executive Order’s scope and the university’s options regarding the order. 

OSU remains fully committed to the important work and discussion taking place throughout the university regarding diversity, racial equity, bias, inclusion and social justice. In these times of national and local reckoning on these matters, it is more critical than ever that the OSU community continue to engage in education, discussion and action regarding historical and current systems of racism, oppression, privilege and implicit bias, and increase understanding of the lived experiences of university faculty, staff, students and community members.

On behalf of the nation’s higher education community, the American Council on Education recently sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Education expressing concern over a federal investigation of Princeton for social justice commitments and statements of admitted racism. I agree fully with ACE President Ted Mitchell, who in reference to Princeton University case, urged the U.S. Department of Education “to end this misguided effort and not use the power of the federal government to investigate schools that are trying to build a better, more inclusive America.”

While OSU explores its options regarding the Executive Order in the coming weeks, I ask that you continue to engage in the essential diversity, equity and inclusion work occurring through the university.

I will update the university community further about this Executive Order as additional information becomes available.

Sincerely,

F. King Alexander

President

OSU students,

We write to remind you of important protections of your education records that are required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (Public Law 93-380), as amended; and University Standards 576-020 and 580-013. Your rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review a student’s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will arrange for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the university official does not maintain the records to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request amendment of the student’s education record that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before OSU discloses the personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education record, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including health staff and members of the Law Enforcement Unit); a person or company with whom the university has contracted; a person or company acting as consultant or volunteer for the university; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing their tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibility.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Oregon State University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-5920
1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327)
Website: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/index.html 

The information provided here is for informational purposes only.  The complete text of the Oregon State University Student Records Standards, which take precedence, are available here: https://policy.oregonstate.edu/policy/student-records and https://policy.oregonstate.edu/policy/student-records-576-020.

For more FERPA resources please see the Office of the Registrar FERPA page.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Mathern, Ph.D.

Associate Provost and University Registrar

Oregon State University

Office of the Registrar

registrar.oregonstate.edu

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

OSU community members,

As you know, TRACE OSU is conducting weekly random COVID-19 testing of up to 1,000 faculty, staff and students and wastewater analysis to monitor the presence of the virus at our campuses in Corvallis and Bend and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center.

I am writing to share that recent wastewater sampling in Corvallis indicates that the virus may be present in Sackett residential hall on campus and the university-affiliated GEM apartment building, 155 N.W. Kings Blvd. As of Sept. 27, the only other Corvallis campus residence hall that showed presence of the virus is a residence hall reserved exclusively for isolating students who have tested positive for COVID-19.

In response to these wastewater results, TRACE OSU will conduct immediate additional COVID-19 diagnostic testing today, Sept. 30, to determine if OSU students residing in these affected buildings currently bear the virus. Students living in these locations were notified this morning by personal e-mail from TRACE OSU. Students choosing to not be tested will be required to quarantine for 14 days at home, in the university’s quarantine/isolation spaces or a single room at The GEM.

Occurrences such as this are why we have TRACE OSU.

These wastewater results are an early indicator and prompt us to investigate further. We are prepared to respond with rapid targeted diagnostic testing of possibly affected OSU community members; support contact tracing with Benton County; provide on-campus isolation and quarantine, as advised; provide student support services; and continue weekly TRACE OSU sampling and wastewater analysis.

Today’s diagnostic testing is being done out of an abundance of caution. At this time, we are not able to estimate the number of possible individual cases from wastewater analysis of a specific building. By way of background, similar levels of the virus were seen in the larger Corvallis community’s wastewater the third week of July. They later subsided.

While students await the results of their tests, we will ask that they exercise extra personal and public health caution by practicing these public health measures:

• Avoid unnecessary interactions with others and refrain from engaging in errands away from their residence;
• Wear face coverings;
• Observe physical and social distancing;
• Wash their hands frequently;
• Self-screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms and remain isolated if not feeling well;
• For those with any symptoms or who are not feeling well, contact their primary care provider or call the Student Health Services Medical Advice Nurse Line at 541-737-2724, or call 541-737-9355 for an appointment (including telehealth).

These same public health measures should be part of each of our daily routines.

We will communicate further information regarding the results of these diagnostic tests and weekly TRACE OSU sampling and wastewater analysis on the TRACE website.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to contribute to a safer and healthier community.

We are all in this together.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost

Student Affairs

OSU COVID-19 Response Coordinator

Oregon State University

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

624 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost

OSU students,

To help you navigate the university experience during COVID-19, we have expanded the OSU Mobile app to include important tools and resources that all OSU students can use while on the go, including:

• Health Check — All OSU employees, volunteers and students are required to conduct a daily self-screening for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to arriving at a university setting. Each of us has a responsibility to protect our community’s health, and to be safe, we must each do our part. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms or is feeling ill must stay home and consult with a medical care provider. Health Check for your own use; OSU does not access or store any of your personal information.
• COVID-19 Safety & Success — Stay up-to-date with OSU's current operation level and plans for continued safety and success.
• Face Covering and Distancing Policies — Learn more about OSU’s new policies and what you need to do to help keep our community safe. 

You can download OSU Mobile for iOS and Android today at beav.es/app. Once you have downloaded the app and set your campus audience, you will be able to easily access all university COVID-19 resources from the home screen. For help setting up the app, check out this video walk through: https://youtu.be/XpsUypnjj4E. If you don’t have a mobile device or can't download the app, you can still access many of these resources at beav.es/covid, or take the health check at beav.es/healthcheck.

For questions or concerns about OSU's COVID-19 response, use this form. For help with the app, contact the Service Desk: beav.es/help.

Thank you,

dw

Derek Whiteside, Director, Web and Mobile Services

Oregon State University | University Information and Technology | 541-737-0729

OSU community members,

I am writing to share that Thursday afternoon Pac-12 university presidents and chancellors unanimously approved conference football teams resuming contact practice and playing games without spectators beginning the weekend of Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, 2020.

Unfortunately, due to health and safety considerations, all Pac-12 football games, including at OSU, will not include participation by university bands, cheer squads or tailgating on university property.

Competition involving men and women’s basketball teams may begin Nov. 25 consistent with NCAA official season dates for these sports. Other winter sports may begin consistent with NCAA official season dates for those sports. Other fall 2020 intercollegiate sports, including volleyball, cross country and soccer will be played in winter and spring 2021 as those NCAA championships have been moved to spring.

I strongly support these decisions. As your president, I have been committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff, along with the health and safety of all OSU students, faculty and staff, members of the OSU community and communities in which we are located. Be assured all decisions that I make regarding the university’s resumption plans, activities and athletics are based upon input and recommendations from a team of medical advisers and research scientists, and are in alignment with county health authorities, Gov. Kate Brown’s Office and the Oregon Health Authority.

Pac-12 presidents and chancellors voted to resume football competition due to the availability and development in recent weeks of rapid testing systems. As such, we are doing everything recommended to protect our student-athletes, who have expressed their desire to compete in their chosen sport in a safe manner.

For example, we now can test our student-athletes frequently with a swab test that provides results in 15 minutes. This test was not available in quantities sufficient for repeat testing six weeks ago when Pac-12 university presidents and chancellors voted to postpone football. Since then, our medical experts also have additional data on the occurrence of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, which has been discovered in a small number of student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19. Based on additional medical review, a student-athlete who has tested positive for COVID-19 now will undergo a required MRI that will be reviewed by a cardiologist after the student-athlete leaves isolation and tests negative for the virus. Even six weeks ago, medical advisers and researchers had said these measures would enable resumption of football competition in either late fall or early winter.

The university’s commitment to frequent testing of student-athletes engaged in high contact sports is in keeping with OSU’s resumption plan and testing protocols, which include weekly testing of up to 1,000 faculty, staff and students through TRACE OSU. Meanwhile, our resumption plan emphasizes low-density presence of employees and students on our campuses; predominantly remote instruction in Corvallis; significant public health measures throughout our campuses, other worksites and buildings; and move-in testing of students living in residence halls.

Prior to making this decision, I shared my considerations with members of the OSU Board of Trustees; consulted with OSU’s Faculty Athletic Representative, the Faculty Senate president, OSU Vice President and Athletics Director Scott Barnes, and football Coach Jonathan Smith; and informed university and student leaders of these developments. There was consistent but cautious support for resuming football competition if these additional testing procedures are incorporated and all guidelines followed, as well as other protocols recommended by medical advisers and researchers. As well, OSU and other Pac-12 schools will continue to provide medical care for their student-athletes — including those who choose to not participate this season — for four years after a student-athlete completes their eligibility or turns 26.

Going forward, we will continue to shape university decisions with the input and guidance of our scientists and medical experts. As additional testing opportunities become available, we will add to the availability of multiple tests and opportunities for faculty, staff and students to be tested.

At all times, the health, safety, and wellness of our student-athletes and all members of the university community will always remain our top priority.

Sincerely,

F. King Alexander

President            

OSU students,

Welcome to a new academic year – one where it is more important than ever to prioritize your health and the well-being of all community members. Please join me in contributing to a safer community – and learning more about your own wellness – by participating in TRACE OSU COVID-19 testing.

TRACE OSU prevalence testing begins Monday, Sept. 28, on our campuses in Corvallis and Bend and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Current students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in this testing by using this link to enroll. Enrolling only takes a few minutes.

Each week during fall term, up to 1,000 names of students, faculty and staff, who have enrolled to participate in TRACE OSU – and who reside in the Corvallis, Bend or Newport areas – will be drawn randomly from a pool of enrollees and invited by e-mail to be tested.

Once you have enrolled in TRACE OSU, wait until you receive an e-mail inviting you to be tested. This invitation will include a unique QR code. Please bring that code on your smartphone or on a printed copy of your e-mail invitation to whichever OSU testing site is most convenient for you. There will be two testing sites on the Corvallis campus: one at the Reser Stadium ticket booths and one in the plaza between Kelley Engineering Center and Johnson Hall. Testing will be offered in two HMSC apartments and in a testing center room in Tykeson Hall Room 204 at OSU-Cascades.

Testing will be conducted by the TRACE OSU team and is designed to be confidential, easy, simple and safe and takes less than five minutes. Your personal information will be kept secure at all times, and your results will be provided to you by secure e-mail, typically within 48 hours. As required, results of positive tests will be provided to the local county health authority to aid in contact tracing.

Meanwhile, OSU will do weekly analysis of wastewater on our Corvallis and OSU-Cascades’ campuses, at HMSC and in the Corvallis, Bend and Newport communities.

TRACE OSU prevalence results through random COVID-19 testing and wastewater testing will help the university and local county health departments plan, serve those who test positive, and respond to changes in the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Join me in enrolling now and participating this fall in TRACE OSU.

While testing itself does not prevent the spread of COVID-19, nor are the results guaranteed, testing does provide a sense of your own COVID-19 personal wellness and participation in testing encourages proper personal and public health measures by each of us. Because testing is but a snapshot of results at specific time, I ask you always to observe these public health measures:

• Wear a face covering.
• Observe physical and social distancing measures by staying 6 feet apart from others.
• Limit holding or attending social get-togethers of more than 10 people.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Conduct daily personal health checks.
• Stay at home if you are not feeling well.
• Get tested by TRACE OSU.

Be well and best of luck this year!

Sincerely,

F. King Alexander

President

Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Dear OSU students,

The start of fall term is finally here! We hope your term is off to a great start, and that you are getting connected with your fellow students, wherever you have chosen to live, study and work. We recognize finding ways to connect socially can be difficult during this time, yet it is more important than ever to do so wisely and with good personal and public health in mind. 

If you gather together in-person, please remember to adhere to Gov. Kate Brown’s Executive Orders and OHA Guidelines and OSU’s Safety and Success Policies, including wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and not attending or holding indoor or outdoor social get-togethers of more than 10 people. We are each responsible and accountable for the health of our community. Behavior that places yourself or others in harm’s way will be taken very seriously by OSU. Should the university receive a report that a student or student organization has placed fellow students or your surrounding community at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19, disciplinary sanctions, including up to suspension or expulsion, may result.

We are in this together. Please always be mindful and conscientious regarding your safety, and the safety of others.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson, Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Kevin Dougherty, Associate Vice Provost & Dean of Students

Oregon State University

Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs

studentaffairs.oregonstate.edu

Office of Undergraduate Education

Dear students,

As you gear up for your classes this term, study spaces may be more limited. While open spaces may fluctuate throughout the term, we have a fall term study space page that will be updated as new information becomes available.

Please remember to adhere to physical distancing requirements and wear a face covering in all study spaces.

OSU-Cascades spaces:

• Tykeson Hall, TYKH 211.
• Graduate Research Center, GRC 134.

Student ID cards also serve as keycards for building access. Building hours and additional access information are available at osucascades.edu/covid/students.

Corvallis campus spaces:

• Valley Library: reserve seats.
• Memorial Union: limited reservations for rooms can be made at the Information Desk; first come, first served for lounge spaces.
• LINC 100, 128, & 228: 10am-5pm daily, beginning on September 28 (reserve through Valley Library reservation site).
• Tent spaces outside LINC and Johnson Hall: first come, first served; schedule posted outside tents.

For more information on fall term, please see the COVID-19 Safety & Success for Students website. For immediate assistance or answers to COVID-specific questions, call the COVID-19 hotline: 547-737-7211.

Best of luck with the start of the term,

Alix Gitelman

Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Oregon State University

Office of Undergraduate Education

undergraduate.oregonstate.edu

OSU faculty, staff and students,

I am writing to share COVID-19 testing results from the third day of students moving into our residential halls on our Corvallis and OSU-Cascades campuses.

Testing continues to go very smoothly. In my daily visits to the Corvallis testing site, parents and students continue to praise the professional and supportive assistance they are receiving from staff working in University Housing and Dining Services, Student Health Services, Transportation Services and all university volunteers. The move-in process at our OSU-Cascades campus residence hall has also gone very smoothly.

Parents and students are thankful for OSU being proactive and contributing to a safer university community and advancing personal health. They recognize OSU is providing personal health information through testing that these students otherwise would not have had access to unless they developed COVID-19 symptoms. OSU’s positive test case results from move-in are being provided to local county health authorities and the Oregon Health Authority, thereby allowing important contact tracing to occur in a student’s home community.

Here is an overview of the past three days of move-in testing:

CORVALLIS

corvalliswk1.png

Over three days, the 26 cases represent 1.53% of incoming students having tested positive. On Monday and Tuesday, we anticipate another 450 or so OSU Corvallis students participating in move-in.

OSU-Cascades

cascadeswk1.png

On Monday through Thursday, we anticipate another 20 or so OSU-Cascades students participating in move-in.

During fall term, we will provide similar weekly updates sharing results from TRACE OSU prevalence testing and wastewater monitoring that begin the week of Sept. 28 on our campuses in Corvallis and Bend and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. We also will share weekly updates from TRACE Community wastewater monitoring that will take place in the Corvallis, Bend and Newport communities through fall. Results will be communicated on a dashboard located on a combined TRACE OSU and Trace Community website that will launch early this week.

Sincerely,

F. King Alexander

President

OSU Students,

Welcome to the new academic year. As we mark the beginning of fall term classes, we want to share a reminder that Oregon State University is committed to providing support for students, faculty and staff in our community whose observance of their religious beliefs may have an impact on classes, work schedules and dietary needs.

We request that faculty work with students as outlined in OSU’s Religious Accommodation of Students Policy. It is incumbent on the student making the request to notify the faculty member as soon as possible prior to the need for accommodation. Students should work directly with their faculty member on these requests according to OSU’s religious accommodation policy. Meanwhile, faculty and staff are able to approve requests for religious accommodations but must first contact the Office of Equal Opportunity & Access if denying a request.

Because of the timing of some holidays, we recognize it may not always be possible for students to contact faculty and staff for accommodations in advance as outlined in our religious accommodations policy. For this reason, we request that faculty work with students who miss required activities due to these religious holidays, and provide accommodations to make up any missed work deliverables or course material within a reasonable amount of time. In particular, due to the unique circumstances of the university’s COVID-19 response, flexibility should be given to students and offices to navigate religious accommodation processes within current and varied circumstances. Keep in mind that students may be located in different time zones and interact with the calendar and religious practices differently than they would if they were present in Oregon.

In addition to the above information, with this email, we are providing information about different dining and food options available on our campuses in Corvallis and at OSU-Cascades.

If you have any questions, concerns or recommendations, please do not hesitate to directly contact the Office of Student Life or OSU’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

We support our students in balancing their academic schedules, employment duties and religious observations. I wish you all a great academic year.

Kevin A. Dougherty, Ed.D.

Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

deanofstudents@oregonstate.edu 

Dining and Food Options: Corvallis UHDS and OSU-Cascades dining locations are open for take-out service fall term.

OSU Corvallis Resources

Any student in Corvallis practicing a faith-based diet who needs to develop a plan that will meet dietary needs for upcoming holidays and beyond; who has suggestions about specific foods that could be added to our convenience stores and dining halls; or who needs to discuss access to space for meal preparations, etc., should contact Tara Sanders, registered dietitian in University Housing & Dining Services by calling 541-737-3915 (office) or 541-602-9736 (cell).

Food in all UHDS dining centers is labeled for dietary preferences and allergen needs. UHDS carries many Halal and Kosher-certified packaged goods as well as a variety of whole foods (fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains) at Cascadia Market in the International Living Learning Center building. For more information about all available food options, restaurants and menus, please visit the University Housing & Dining Services website.

OSU-Cascades Resources

Any student at OSU-Cascades practicing a faith-based diet who needs to develop a plan that will meet dietary needs for upcoming holidays and beyond should contact Lori Waters, assistant director of dining and auxiliary services, to assist students with special food needs.

Amy Snyder, assistant director residential education and housing, can help students living in residence who need access to meal preparation space.

To request this information in an alternative format please contact deanofstudents@oregonstate.edu.

Dear Students,

OSU scheduled both in-person and remote classes to reduce the number of people on our campuses. We need each of you to contribute to building a safer and healthier university community by wearing face coverings in accordance with university policy and maintaining physical distancing requirements in hallways and honoring seating restrictions in classrooms.

Corvallis Campus

OSU measured classrooms with fixed seating to maintain approximately 6 feet between seats. If a seat has tape over it, please do not remove the tape and sit there. Classrooms with moveable seating are more flexible.

OSU-Cascades
Classrooms were similarly measured, and furnishings and floor markings provide physical distancing. In each classroom and laboratory, a sign is posted including maximum occupancy and cleaning protocols. Signs also mark designated room entrances and exits.

Please ensure that you keep appropriate physical distancing from your classmates and instructor. Also, please follow any guidance your instructor offers for safety in the classroom. 

Classrooms with two doors will have a designated entrance and exit to maintain the flow of people in one direction and minimize close contact. Additionally, hallways and other open spaces should adopt the “stay to the right” approach to prevent close contact.

For more guidance on navigating campus, please see the COVID-19 Safety & Success for Students website.

OSU-Cascades students can find additional information at the Fall Term: Your Safety, Your Success website.

For immediate assistance or answers to COVID-specific questions, call the COVID-19 hotline: 547-737-7211.

Thank you,

Oregon State University

Hello OSU Corvallis students,

OSU campus and university operations in western Oregon will reopen Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, as hazardous and unhealthy wildfire smoke and ash conditions begin to diminish.

We recognize that exposure to hazardous and unhealthy air quality may be problematic for some students. If you feel it is safer to remain in your home communities, please do so. We strongly encourage that any outdoor activity be rescheduled or moved indoors where possible.

For students who perform university work or activity outdoors, if the local Air Quality Index (AQI) is above 150, reschedule the work or activity, if feasible, to a time when the air quality improves below an AQI of 151. If the work or activity cannot be rescheduled, N95 or alternative masks must be provided. During this time of persistent poor air quality, the university’s Environmental Health and Safety web page will provide daily updates regarding the AQI and information on whether N95 or alternative masks for outdoor work is required. Please refer to this website for how to access N95 or alternative masks, and other important considerations. For accommodations, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access if you are working as an employee or the Department of Disability Access Services if you are a student.

Until further notice, we ask that you not open exterior campus building windows and close exterior doors as quickly as possible upon entering or leaving a building.

During this time, we encourage you to remain mindful of your health, as well as the health of your family and friends, by adhering to public health advisories.

According to air quality monitoring sites in western Oregon, air quality in some locations will continue to improve tonight and tomorrow, while air quality in some locations will remain in the hazardous range. Meanwhile, rain is forecasted in western Oregon on Friday. In the meantime, please take care of yourselves.

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Oregon State University

Dan.Larson@oregonstate.edu

Members of the OSU community,

Oregon State University is committed to leading change that will work to end systemic racism and support the long-term success of Black, Indigenous and other students, faculty and staff of color.

Since arriving at OSU on July 1, 2020, as president, I have had numerous opportunities to listen and learn from community members and to share my commitment to actions that advance diversity, equity and justice.

I write you today to announce next steps by the university that I believe will help move us forward collaboratively and to take actions that are consistent with OSU’s mission and values.

I am confident that by engaging in important conversations about race and racism, justice and equity; by learning from each other; and by taking specific actions, we will constantly strive to advance the culture of belonging, collaboration and innovation that we aspire to in the university’s strategic plan. And we will provide a transformative education that is accessible for all learners – another goal of our strategic plan.

Beginning today, we are launching a new web page within the President’s Office entitled “Moving Forward Together.”

We launch this web page in response to calls for action from OSU community members and in a commitment to advance OSU’s Strategic Plan, as well as the university’s Diversity Strategic Plan and recommendations made by the President and Provost’s Leadership Council on Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice. This new web page outlines actions and commitments underway – and others that are planned – to advance OSU’s commitment to opposing systemic racism and supporting the success of Black, Indigenous and other students, faculty and staff of color. This web page offers a central view of how we intend to realize these goals, and notes actions to be taken in the coming months. The page will be updated regularly to reflect our progress.

We welcome members of the OSU community to continue to bring forward recommendations, questions and concerns and encourage action by the university that will advance our commitments. The web page includes a feature for community members to share in writing their recommendations, questions and concerns. Input provided will be reviewed regularly. I also recognize that members of the Black community and other staff, students and faculty of color have articulated even more concerns and demands for the university to pursue. I commit that I and other university leaders will continue to engage and listen to our many stakeholders. And we will continue to improve how we address community needs as they arise.

In the months ahead, I ask that we all work collaboratively to achieve lasting change and transformation.

I ask that we accept that the societal, public health and economic challenges of our state, nation and world are this university’s challenges and responsibilities. And I ask that together we engage OSU’s community through collaboration, teaching, research and service to address these challenges and responsibilities.

Let us act together. Please join me.

Sincerely,

F. King Alexander

President