Office of the Registrar

Office of the Registrar

Dear Student,

We want to remind you that to contribute to your wellness and the OSU community’s public health, OSU has a vaccine requirement program for all students taking courses on campus or at a physical location.

As of today, we are placing holds on all active students not currently compliant with this program. Anyone who is registered or chooses to register in the future must comply with the university’s vaccine program. This hold will prevent future registration and current term registration changes.

The COVID vaccine requirement is in addition to our existing immunization requirements for new students. Click here for additional information. To resolve the hold, log into the student portal and comply with the for vaccine program requirement. You will also find information regarding the exemption request process.

If you have questions about holds, please see the student holds website. If you have questions about the vaccination program requirement, please contact SHS at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Office of the Registrar

Office of Student Health Services

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

12 October 2021

Dear OSU Undergraduate and Graduate Students,

I am writing to share that the university has received additional federal assistance funding for students. To learn more about this program and apply for federal assistance, please visit OSU’s Emergency Funding webpage and apply using the emergency funding request. There are very few eligibility requirements associated with this assistance.

The funds are coming to OSU through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which authorized funds for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III. These funds may be used for any component of students’ cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as tuition, food, housing and health care, including mental health care or childcare. OSU will prioritize providing federal assistance to students with exceptional need.

We also share good news that eligibility for ARP funding has been broadened. In this round of emergency aid, all OSU students, including Ecampus students, international students, DACA students, and undocumented students are eligible to receive funding.

Contributing to your continued wellness and progress toward attainment of your educational goals remain the university’s top priorities.

I hope that you, your friends and families are well.

Sincerely,

Edward Feser

Provost and Executive Vice President

oregonstate.edu/provost

541.737.2111

To the OSU Community:

Oregon will hold local elections in Corvallis and Benton County, as well as a number of counties throughout the state, on November 2nd. Deschutes County, home of OSU-Cascades, will not be holding an election at this time.

If you are not registered to vote, we encourage you to do so. October 12th is the last day to register in time for this election. Ballots can start being mailed on October 13th.

If you are not registered to vote, we encourage you to do so through ASOSU’s TurboVote site. This system makes it easy and efficient to register to vote, update your registration information, and receive election reminders. Access it here.

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. If you are registered to vote and do not receive your ballot, please contact your county elections office to check on your voting status:

Benton County Elections Department:

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

For all other county elections offices in Oregon:

http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Pages/countyofficials.aspx

In order to be counted, your ballot must be received by a County Elections Office or deposited in an official ballot drop site no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day: Tuesday, November 2nd. 

Note: Postmarks do not count. The ballot must be deposited or received by November 2nd.  If you are mailing your ballot, in order to ensure that it is received in time, mail it no later than Thursday, October 28th.

There is an official ballot drop site on the OSU Corvallis Campus at OSU Gill Coliseum. You can find additional ballot drop sites in Benton County here.

Note: On Election Day all official ballot drop sites will be open until 8:00 p.m.

More information for student voters can be found here: https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/student-voters.aspx

For additional voting and election information from the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.oregonvotes.gov/   

We hope you will take time to participate in the November 2nd Special Election.

Sincerely,

Dhru Patel                                                                  Taha Elwefati

President, ASOSU                                                      President, ASCC

From the Office of the President

October 11, 2021

Members of the OSU Community,

Today, Oregon State University joins with members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes, Indigenous community members, Oregonians statewide, Gov. Kate Brown and members of the Oregon Legislature in celebrating the state of Oregon’s first recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Oregon State University also recognizes the negative impact resulting from the university’s land grant history on Indigenous communities in Oregon. Following Congressional adoption of the Morrill Act of 1862 – which helped to establish land grant universities in the United States – the federal government seized nearly 11 million acres of land from 250 sovereign tribal nations, providing little to no compensation. Acknowledging this history is essential for Oregon State University to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities.

We celebrate the diverse cultural heritage and ongoing contributions of Indigenous people within OSU, the state and local communities. We also underscore our relationships with Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes, pledge to support Indigenous community members, and continually advance diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice at Oregon State University.

Please remember each day that wherever you are within Oregon State University or within the state of Oregon you are on traditional Indigenous land. I also ask that we commit to recognizing this legacy at university events and activities, and by broadly sharing this new university webpage.

Working together, we will continue to create a university community where everyone is welcome and supported in achieving success.

Sincerely,

Becky Johnson

Interim President 

Oregon State University

Office of the President

600 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/president

Dear OSU-Cascades Students,

In response to the recent fatal shooting of Barry Washington Jr. and release of a video taken at the time of his death, OSU-Cascades Student Health and Wellness has developed support services for our community. We also recognize that each person feels this tragedy differently and may require unique ways of processing their thoughts and feelings.

It is expected that during a time like this, a person may experience heightened emotions, difficulty with eating, sleeping or concentration. Individuals can also become attached to following news and social media about the event and have difficulty engaging in other activities.

Please consider the many offerings below and consider whether you could benefit from a connection to resources or others:

Listening Circle: Monday, Oct. 11 from noon to 12:45 p.m.

Student Health and Wellness will host a Listening Circle for students to come together in community and speak from their hearts about the death of Barry Washington Jr., and related issues. This will be a space in which students can provide witness for one another and receive trauma support from counseling staff. A meeting location for the Listening Circle will be given upon registration for this event. Please contact Jill Casebolt to register: [email protected]

One-on-One Support Sessions: Available on ongoing basis through Student Health and Wellness  

Meet with Jill Casebolt, our new counselor, for a single session to discuss your thoughts and feelings. Support and access to individualized coping plans is available. E-mail Jill to schedule these sessions:  [email protected]

Mental Health Resources List: Attached to this e-mail

Consider the resources on this list for additional support. Togetherall, an online support to OSU-Cascades students, and the hotlines listed are a great way to access community and validation in an anonymous way.  

Self-Care Support Tips:

Allow yourself some time and energy to address your needs.

Take a Break: From social media and the news. Allow your brain and nervous system some downtime.

Express: Talk about your experiences with someone you trust. Write, make art to express how you feel.

Self-Care: Prioritize sleep, eating, and movement. Take time to engage in soothing activities for your body.

Empowerment: Engage in community service or activism.

The psychological effects of racialized violence are real, and can have a significant impact on individuals and groups. Together, as a strong, inclusive community, we can meet this moment and keep ourselves healthy and aware of the work to be done.

Amy G. Snyder

She/Her/Hers

Director of Student Success

Oregon State University – Cascades

Residence Hall 102

1500 SW Chandler Ave

Bend, OR 97702

541-706-2033

[email protected]

From the Office of the President

Dear OSU Community Members,

I write to provide an update on Oregon State University’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice within the university and its commitment to antiracism.

In summer 2020, following in-depth conversations with university community members calling for rapid progress to advance racial justice, OSU launched the “Moving Forward Together” initiative. Aligned with the university’s Strategic Plan 4.0 and diversity strategic plan, the initiative articulates 45 actions to support the long-term success of BIPOC students, faculty and staff.

My commitment to this initiative – and other actions underway to advance equity, inclusion and social justice within Oregon State University – is unwavering.

Among the 45 actions, 21 were completed last academic year and the remaining 24 are in progress of being completed. The President and Provost’s Leadership Council for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice (PPLC) is charged with collaborating with and supporting partners across the university to guide implementation of “Moving Forward Together” actions. Progress includes:

• A new President’s Commission on the Status of Black Faculty and Staff Affairs was launched in winter 2021 and is charged with advocating for the well-being and success of Oregon State faculty and staff who identify as Black or of African heritage or descent.
• The Faculty Senate and the Office of the Provost launched a Racism and Antiracism Curriculum Task Force comprised of faculty, students and academic leaders to review and recommend changes to curricular and co-curricular offerings to ensure all OSU students graduate with an understanding of the structural and historical origins of racism, how racism manifests itself today and actions to oppose racism.
• Counseling and Psychological Services has hired two coordinators of Black and African American student mental health and wellness to support the success of students through clinical services, consultation, outreach, programming and advocacy. A search for a coordinator of Indigenous mental health and wellness is ongoing.
• OSU-Cascades continues to make significant progress in advancing equity and inclusion initiatives, including the launch of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lab. Erika McCalpine serves as the inaugural executive director of strategic diversity initiatives on the Bend campus. A multicultural center opened this fall in the OSU-Cascades’ Graduate and Research Center and the student success center to be opened in the 2023-24 academic year will include multicultural programs in its design.
• OSU Assist, a multidisciplinary support team and collaboration among OSU’s Department of Public Safety, the Division of Student Affairs, leaders from the city of Corvallis and Benton County and other community organizations, will provide compassionate mobile crisis response and wrap-around services for students facing mental health challenges or experiencing other forms of distress. A search for a program coordinator will launch shortly.
• An initiative led by students f­­­rom the Dreaming Beyond Borders Resource Center and the Here to Stay student group catalyzed significant expansion of ASOSU Student Legal Services to include comprehensive immigration screenings for all students, and provides assistance with DACA renewals for DREAMers.
• The first cohort of the Pre-Doctoral Scholars Program, a collaborative initiative to develop the pipeline to the academy and OSU for faculty members committed to advancing equity, was piloted this summer, and paired doctoral scholars from institutions around the country with faculty mentors from the College of Agricultural Sciences and College of Liberal Arts. This effort complements OSU’s ongoing relationships with the Southern Regional Education Board and Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to support post-graduate success for OSU graduate students.

With support from the Office of Institutional Diversity, the PPLC will continue its work this academic year by continuing to engage OSU community members to advance “Moving Forward Together.” I encourage you to regularly visit the Moving Forward Together webpage for additional updates and progress information.

In the months ahead, I will share regular updates on progress, the challenges we face as a university community and opportunities to get involved.

I am very grateful for the progress made so far, the dedication of so many OSU community members to this important work, and that the university this month received a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for the fourth straight year. We still have much to do and each of us has a role to play. Please join me in continuing to make Oregon State University a place where all are welcomed, and where everyone can succeed.

Sincerely,

Becky Johnson

Interim President­­­­­

Oregon State University

Office of the President

600 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/president

OSU-Cascades Students,

This academic year, you might encounter scenarios in which you or your friends, classmates, or roommates test positive for COVID-19, show symptoms or disclose diagnosis. This e-mail and the university COVID-19 website provides guidance for how to proceed in these situations. If you have questions or concerns, you may reach the OSU-Cascades COVID-19 Response Team via email at [email protected].

• If a person notifies you of COVID-19 exposure, diagnosis or symptoms, please ask them to email [email protected] immediately. Ask the individual to include their cell phone number so that we may reach out to them quickly. Alternatively, you may email [email protected] to notify the COVID-19 Response Team, without naming a specific individual. A member of the COVID-19 Response Team will send you an encrypted email to gather specific information.

• If you have been exposed or are showing symptoms, please complete a test at a community healthcare provider, not at OSU-Cascades. You can locate a testing center at https://www.deschutes.org/health/page/covid-19-testing. If you have received a COVID-19 positive test or diagnosis, please immediately email [email protected] and isolate yourself. The COVID-19 Response Team will work with you to provide academic accommodations. If you are a student living in the OSU-Cascades Residence Hall, additional precautions may be required, so please contact Amy Snyder at [email protected] immediately.

COVID-19 testing hours have expanded to be offered every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Testing is located in Ray Hall 302.

Thank you.

OSU-Cascades COVID-19 Response Team

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

bend_incident_9-2021.png

Erika McCalpine

Executive Director, Strategic Diversity Initiatives

Oregon State University-Cascades

Dear OSU-Cascades Students,

With the opening of Edward J. Ray Hall and the completion of the first phase of the former pumice mine reclamation, we are opening a second parking lot, accessible from a new entrance on Simpson Avenue.

Having two parking lots allows us to offer two pricing tiers to fit your budget and convenience needs. The fee for the new Simpson Ave. parking lot will maintain continuity with previous fees. The new fees will be in effect September 27.

• Simpson Lot – $2.00 per day
• Chandler-Century Lot – $4.00 per day

As you may already know, OSU policy requires us to charge for parking. Without parking fees, tuition would need to increase to cover the cost of parking lot maintenance and snow removal, unfairly burdening non-driving students. Additionally, parking fees have been shown to decrease the number of single-occupancy vehicles driving to campus, supporting our value of sustainability.

Updated parking options are summarized in the table below.

Review rates and purchase permits online at OSUcascades.edu/parking. Look for updates in October as we roll out a new parking management system, enabling mobile app payments.

Sincerely,

Kelly Sparks

(she, her, hers)

Associate Vice President Finance and Strategic Planning

Oregon State University – Cascades

E: [email protected] | P: 541-322-3193

Mailing Address: OSU-Cascades / CM#27 / 1500 SW Chandler Avenue, Bend, OR 97702

Dear OSU-Cascades students,

Today is an exciting day for all of us. The first day of fall term marks the beginning of a new academic year, carrying with it the energy of imagining what lies ahead, joy of connecting with mentors and friends, and eagerness to explore our academic interests and passions. This year especially, after so much time in hybrid learning, we are all thrilled to gather together again through on-campus activities and primarily in-person instruction. To our new students and returning students alike, I welcome you to fall term and to the OSU-Cascades community.

Each of you brings perspectives and life experiences that add to the richness of our community. Students and faculty from all backgrounds, whether cultural, ethnic, religious, regional, sexual orientation and identity, or financial position, are absolutely welcome and valued as part of the fabric of who we are. I have always been proud of how our students consistently advocate for inclusivity and diversity.

Yet another reason to be excited this fall is the opening of Edward J. Ray Hall. A beacon of sustainability, this building is net-zero-ready, powered by geothermal energy and built with cross-laminated timber. It represents the first building on our expanded campus – an area transformed from a former pumice mine and demolition landfill into a university campus that will serve students and our community for generations to come.

This term, as we become reaccustomed to gathering together, make sure you are connecting with other students, participating in campus life, seeking experiential learning opportunities and, most of all, benefitting from the expertise and mentorship offered by our faculty. Doing so will pay dividends on your future and prepare you to go out into the world to make a difference for our communities.

You are an integral part of our campus, and your presence here energizes all of us. Welcome to fall term. 

Sincerely,

Andrew Ketsdever

Interim Vice President

OSU-Cascades

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear OSU Community,

We are just days away from the start of Fall term, and due to our extensive planning and a shared OSU commitment to public health strategies, we are ready.

This fall – and likely the entire academic year – will require your ongoing diligence and flexibility, as we live, learn, discover, and engage in the presence of COVID-19. We had hoped to be on the other side of this pandemic by now. Instead, we must confront the reality that COVID-19 is endemic. Although stress and uncertainty may remain high, if we continue to support one another, we will not let this virus break our spirits and we will be brought closer together as a community.

Below are highlights of our plan for fall, including new guidance. This update contains important details you will need this fall, so please take the time to become fully informed.

Positive cases will happen:

While we do not want any virus transmission or disease, we know it is likely we will have positive cases. Be confident that we have university protocols and expectations to quickly isolate, notify, and minimize spread. These protocols have been in place for over a year, and they have proven effective. Please be familiar and fully utilize OSU’s positive case notification protocols.

• Positive Case Notification Protocol for Employees
• Positive Case Notification Protocol for Students

If you test positive, or learn that you have been exposed to COVID-19, following isolation and quarantine requirements is essential to stopping virus spread. Employees and students are required to follow notification, isolation and quarantine protocols and should be familiar with the latest guidance and requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

To assist employees, including student workers, in observing isolation and quarantine requirements, OSU will provide additional hours of COVID leave, to be used if you are required to isolate, quarantine, or care for a family member who is required to isolate or quarantine. All full-time employees will receive 80 hours of additional paid leave and those holding part-time appointments will receive a prorated amount of leave. Hourly student employees will receive 20 hours of additional paid leave. This leave may be utilized beginning Sept 16, 2021 through June 30, 2022. For more information, please visit the University Human Resources website.

Vaccination and return to full capacity:

In alignment with the CDC’s Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education, OSU’s vaccination program is the current primary measure that supports our return to full capacity in-person learning, work, research and outreach programming. The CDC guidance allows universities to return to full capacity where all students, faculty, and staff have completed their vaccination series to protect against COVID-19 prior to returning to campus, or who request exemption for medical or other reasons, while also complying with state and local requirements and guidelines.

OSU has employed many additional public health measures aimed at promoting community health and wellness, including mask wearing as mandated by Oregon’s Governor and when conditions warrant their use; enhanced touchpoint cleaning, ventilation system optimization; wastewater surveillance and testing; public health messaging; and encouraging adherence to personal hygiene practices.

We are pleased that vaccination compliance and vaccination rates among OSU employees and students are high and increase daily. If you have not yet met your compliance requirements, please do so now. Employees who elect to take a course as a student, and graduate employees, are required to complete the student-version of the compliance process. Compliance is required by September 15, 2021. Failure to comply with OSU’s vaccination program may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination for employees and suspension for students. More guidance for supervisors on managing employee compliance will be provided by University Human Resources in the coming week.

If you have not been vaccinated, please get the vaccine now. Local pharmacies and health care providers administer vaccination, and students on the Corvallis campus can obtain a vaccine from Student Health Services.

As vaccine boosters become recommended and available, OSU will work with local public health authorities and health care providers to help facilitate easy access. We will announce opportunities to receive boosters as they are available.

Testing:

Testing for COVID-19 within the OSU community remains an important tool for reducing the risk and spread of the virus, particularly for those who are unvaccinated and are located on the higher-density OSU campuses in Corvallis and Bend. In response to the impact that the recent surge in COVID-19 cases is having on health care systems in Benton and Deschutes Counties, employees and students who have claimed an exemption to OSU’s vaccination program and who remain unvaccinated will be required to test weekly for COVID-19. Campus-based testing locations may be utilized by individuals not required to test, as capacity allows.

Compliance with testing requirements:

Unvaccinated employees and students on the Corvallis and OSU-Cascades campuses are required to obtain their weekly tests by utilizing a campus-based testing site. Test results will be sent confidentially from the processing lab to Student Health Services. Results will be available by logging onto the secure Student Health Services Portal with ONID credentials. Notifications of results and messages will be communicated via text to the mobile phone number listed or emailed from the address “OSU Health.” SHS will notify University Human Resources only of an employee’s compliance status – not their test results. For students, compliance status will be sent to the Office of the Dean of Students.

For information on testing, visit OSU’s Safety and Success website, under the “Testing” text box.

Updated Guidance:

The Pathway to Fall Guide has been updated, providing updated information such as building ventilation as well as more guidance in Section IV related to academic programming, research & student services. Information is provided on what academic faculty should do when they learn of exposure involving students in their class, as well as guidance on maintaining continuity of course delivery. Information is also provided on addressing compliance within the classroom and other environments. Research may proceed in accordance with OSU’s policies and related guidelines. For OSU Extension specific guidance, refer to COVID-19 resources for OSU Extension.

I hope this information is helpful in facilitating a successful start to the academic year. Again, thank you for your continued diligence and flexibility as we return to a more fully in-person experience in the coming days. As always, we will inform you of any necessary measures or adjustments that need to be made as we continue to live with this virus.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

OSU Coronavirus Coordinator

Oregon State University

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

624 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear OSU Students,

I write to announce an additional university measure that will be required as we continue to address the risk and spread of COVID-19.

Beginning Sept. 15 and until further notice, unvaccinated employees and students required to comply with the university’s vaccination program – and who work or are enrolled and take classes on the Corvallis or OSU-Cascades campuses – will be required to test weekly for COVID-19. This added measure will be in place as long as the University determines that local prevalence of the disease warrants it. Requiring regular COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated OSU community members will help protect this population, detect cases earlier, and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Employees and students who are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated are required to test weekly, until they are fully vaccinated – which is typically two weeks after a person’s receipt of their final dose. Compliance with this testing requirement will be verified weekly. Employees who are found to not be in compliance with this weekly testing requirement beginning the week of Sept. 27 may face disciplinary action, up to and including termination of university employment. Students who are not in compliance may face disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from the university.

OSU will provide testing options for students on its Corvallis and Bend campuses. Detailed information on the testing process will be provided in the coming days.

Please submit your vaccination information:

Thank you to the thousands of OSU community members who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 and have complied with OSU’s vaccination program. If you have not already completed the compliance process, please do so now.

We understand that these remain concerning and stressful times, and we thank you for your continued support of OSU’s responsive and comprehensive public health measures. We will continue to look to each other for care and compassion, as well as expect a shared contribution in supporting public health, as we move forward together with our Pathway to Fall. 

Thank you,

Dan Larson

OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Oregon State University

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

624 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost

Dear OSU Students,

The university is raffling off $50 gift cards to the OSU Beaver Store for students who upload their COVID-19 vaccine documentation to their Student Health Services patient portal, by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.

The deadline for students to confirm their vaccine status through the patient portal is Sept. 15, 2021. By confirming early, you become eligible for the raffle and Beaver Store gift cards.  

To check your COVID-19 vaccine requirement status, please visit your Student Dashboard.

Sincerely,

Brittney Holcomb

Immunization Compliance Manager

From the Office of the President

Dear OSU Students,

Steady, principled, informed, unified. These values have underpinned the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past 18 months, and they remain our values as we prepare for the start of the new academic year, excited as ever to welcome new and returning students to pursue their goals.

When we concluded the last academic year in June, we were optimistic that the end of the pandemic was imminent. It is now clear that the Delta variant represents a new phase in the pandemic. In response, public health measures like supporting vaccinations by all, wearing face coverings, testing, and careful management of gatherings must continue. With these measures, we continue to plan to responsibly return to on-site university activities.

We are not in the same place today as we were last fall, and we are not in the same place as other educational institutions, which are responding to their own specific circumstances.

As of Monday, 94% of the more than 19,500 students who have complied with OSU’s vaccination program to date have provided proof of having been vaccinated. Meanwhile, OSU employees are responding quickly and affirmatively to the university’s vaccination attestation website that was launched Monday. We know nationally that the vaccines are proving extremely successful in preventing serious illness among the vaccinated and that the use of face coverings substantially reduces transmission.

These last 18 months have shown us that OSU students and employees take our culture of mutual care seriously and comply with guidelines like masking and testing. We also know that while remote teaching, learning and work are possible on a large scale, they are not measures required at this time, nor what most members of our community wish to become the “new normal” for OSU.

It is within these evolved circumstances that we affirm the return to on-site teaching and other activities within OSU’s Pathway to Fall plan. This approach is based on regular consultations with local health authorities and guidance from state and national health authorities.

Steady, principled, informed, unified. These values have served OSU’s response well, and they continue to guide us during this challenging time. We do not know how this pandemic will evolve, but we do know that as a community of students, teachers, scholars and professionals, we will navigate it. And we will remain engaged with care for one another and our neighbors; and with patience and courage, face all uncertainty.

We look forward to seeing you for the start of fall term.

Becky Johnson

Interim President

Edward Feser

Provost and Executive Vice President

Oregon State University

Office of the President

600 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/president

Dear OSU Students,

The university is raffling off $50 gift cards to the OSU Beaver Store for students who upload their COVID-19 vaccine documentation to their Student Health Services patient portal, by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.

The deadline for students to confirm their vaccine status through the patient portal is Sept. 15, 2021. By confirming early, you become eligible for the raffle and Beaver Store gift cards.  

To check your COVID-19 vaccine requirement status, please visit your Student Dashboard.

Sincerely,

Brittney Holcomb

Immunization Compliance Manager

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

COVID-19 Updates:

1. Benton County ordinance requires face coverings outdoors
2. Employees can now begin the vaccination requirement process
3. OSU to require proof of vaccination for designated events and spaces

Dear OSU Community Members,

The significant transmission rate of the Delta variant and increase in COVID-19 cases, primarily among the unvaccinated, is concerning and stressful. At the same time, we face very different conditions today than at the start of the pandemic in early spring 2020, when we shifted primarily to remote operations.

With our vaccination requirement, very high rates of vaccination among our students and employees, the use of face coverings, and the use of other public health measures related to cleaning and ventilation, our plan to return to in-person instruction and more on-site activities in the fall remains.

Our latest updates, based on public health guidance and our ongoing consultation with local and state public health authorities, follow.

Face Coverings:

Please use a face covering in all OSU indoor settings and follow any other local public health requirements that apply in your location. Face coverings remain a highly effective community and individual measure in reducing transmission of the virus.

New Benton County Outdoor Face Covering Requirement:

Per Benton County’s order, individuals five years of age and older must wear masks or face coverings in outdoor public settings where physical distancing of six feet is not feasible. This policy is in addition to Oregon’s face-covering requirement for indoor settings.

Deschutes County Public Health is urging the use of face coverings outside where physical distancing is not possible. Other jurisdictions may have their own face covering requirements. Be sure to check for local face covering requirements.

Events and Activities May Continue:

With the use of face coverings as a primary public health measure, and with thoughtful event design and consideration of timing and location, in-person events and activities may continue at this time. In fact, in-person events and activities are an important component of the vitality of our university and community, even as we work to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you are planning an event or activity and would like to consult with someone on how to apply public health measures within your activity, please contact Shelly Signs with University Events or Kelly Sparks for OSU Cascades. Additional guidance can be found on the In-person Events Planning website. We encourage all community members to feel comfortable in making their own personal decisions regarding attending events as we continue to live with COVID-19.

Proof of Vaccination Required for Designated Events and Spaces:

As an added measure to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19, proof of vaccination, or proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test, will be required to gain access to designated university spaces and activities. Designated spaces will be defined by the Coronavirus Response Coordinator and in consultation with program leaders and the local public health authority. Examples may include athletic events, concerts, and conferences, recreation centers, field trips and other experiential learning activities that present higher risk.

We expect to allow use of CDC-issued vaccination record cards and other records, as well as possible technological solutions, in providing provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative test. Details on how this requirement will be implemented will be shared in the days ahead.

Vaccination Program:

OSU students are proving highly committed to their personal wellness and public health. Even before OSU’s Sept. 15 deadline for compliance, approximately 19,800 students of the roughly 20,270 students whose status requires compliance, have already completed the compliance process. Of those who have completed the process, approximately 18,700 students or 94% of those in compliance with the policy are fully vaccinated.  Students who have not yet completed the compliance process are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. 

As a community we can contribute to personal and public wellness and resume on-site learning, teaching, research, outreach programs and other activities by following the guidelines above and supporting one another, just as we have done since the start of the pandemic.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

COVID-19 Updates:

1. Benton County ordinance requires face coverings outdoors
2. Employees can now begin the vaccination requirement process
3. OSU to require proof of vaccination for designated events and spaces

Dear OSU Community Members,

The significant transmission rate of the Delta variant and increase in COVID-19 cases, primarily among the unvaccinated, is concerning and stressful. At the same time, we face very different conditions today than at the start of the pandemic in early spring 2020, when we shifted primarily to remote operations.

With our vaccination requirement, very high rates of vaccination among our students and employees, the use of face coverings, and the use of other public health measures related to cleaning and ventilation, our plan to return to in-person instruction and more on-site activities in the fall remains.

Our latest updates, based on public health guidance and our ongoing consultation with local and state public health authorities, follow.

Face Coverings:

Please use a face covering in all OSU indoor settings and follow any other local public health requirements that apply in your location. Face coverings remain a highly effective community and individual measure in reducing transmission of the virus.

New Benton County Outdoor Face Covering Requirement:

Per Benton County’s order, individuals five years of age and older must wear masks or face coverings in outdoor public settings where physical distancing of six feet is not feasible. This policy is in addition to Oregon’s face-covering requirement for indoor settings.

Deschutes County Public Health is urging the use of face coverings outside where physical distancing is not possible. Other jurisdictions may have their own face covering requirements. Be sure to check for local face covering requirements.

Events and Activities May Continue:

With the use of face coverings as a primary public health measure, and with thoughtful event design and consideration of timing and location, in-person events and activities may continue at this time. In fact, in-person events and activities are an important component of the vitality of our university and community, even as we work to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you are planning an event or activity and would like to consult with someone on how to apply public health measures within your activity, please contact Shelly Signs with University Events or Kelly Sparks for OSU Cascades. Additional guidance can be found on the In-person Events Planning website. We encourage all community members to feel comfortable in making their own personal decisions regarding attending events as we continue to live with COVID-19.

Proof of Vaccination Required for Designated Events and Spaces:

As an added measure to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19, proof of vaccination, or proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test, will be required to gain access to designated university spaces and activities. Designated spaces will be defined by the Coronavirus Response Coordinator and in consultation with program leaders and the local public health authority. Examples may include athletic events, concerts, and conferences, recreation centers, field trips and other experiential learning activities that present higher risk.

We expect to allow use of CDC-issued vaccination record cards and other records, as well as possible technological solutions, in providing provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative test. Details on how this requirement will be implemented will be shared in the days ahead.

Vaccination Program:

OSU students are proving highly committed to their personal wellness and public health. Even before OSU’s Sept. 15 deadline for compliance, approximately 19,800 students of the roughly 20,270 students whose status requires compliance, have already completed the compliance process. Of those who have completed the process, approximately 18,700 students or 94% of those in compliance with the policy are fully vaccinated.  Students who have not yet completed the compliance process are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. 

As a community we can contribute to personal and public wellness and resume on-site learning, teaching, research, outreach programs and other activities by following the guidelines above and supporting one another, just as we have done since the start of the pandemic.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Oregon State University

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

624 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost

Dear OSU Students,

The university is raffling off $50 gift cards to the OSU Beaver Store for students who upload their COVID-19 vaccine documentation to their Student Health Services patient portal, by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.

The deadline for students to confirm their vaccine status through the patient portal is Sept. 15, 2021. By confirming early, you become eligible for the raffle and Beaver Store gift cards.  

To check your COVID-19 vaccine requirement status, please visit your Student Dashboard.

Sincerely,

Brittney Holcomb

Immunization Compliance Manager

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear OSU Community Members,

I write to provide you with information on Oregon State University’s updated policy regarding face coverings, which aims to slow the rapid increase in COVID-19 due to the Delta variant.

Our policy requires faculty, staff, students, volunteers, visitors and contractors in all university locations and programs to wear a face covering in all OSU indoor spaces. Indoor spaces is defined by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) as anywhere indoors, including but not limited to public and private workplaces, businesses, indoor areas open to the public, building lobbies, common or shared spaces, classrooms, elevators, bathrooms, transportation services and other indoor space where people may gather for any purpose.

OSU’s policy is in keeping with Gov. Kate Brown’s statewide requirement for the use of masks in public indoor spaces. This statewide mandate is in response to nearly every county in the state of Oregon being classified as “high” for levels of transmission of COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, transmission is forecasted to increase dramatically in the coming weeks without public health interventions, such as increased face covering use.

In response to Gov. Brown’s action, OSU’s COVID-19 Safety & Success Policy has been revised. For additional guidance, see relevant FAQ’s.

The upward trend in COVID-19 cases underscores how critical it is that as many people as possible in Oregon, the nation and the world get vaccinated. Thus far at OSU, data from the university’s vaccination program indicate that 95% of students are choosing to be vaccinated rather than submit an exemption. We are proud of the commitment OSU students have toward contributing to the health of the university community and the communities in which we operate. We will continue to update you on vaccination rates among students and employees as we near the Sept. 15 deadline for employees and students to comply with OSU’s vaccination program.

With our vaccine requirement in place and the policy regarding the use of face coverings as conditions warrant, the university remains on its Pathway to Fall and offering a primarily in-person campus experience for students.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Oregon State University

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

624 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost