Archived Student Email Logs 2020-2021

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

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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

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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

[email protected] 

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 [email protected].

Dear OSU-Cascades students,

As you are aware, the wildfires burning throughout Oregon and the region are unprecedented, putting lives and property at risk. While there are no active fires in our immediate region, this emergency is affecting many from our campus community and their families, whether from evacuations, property loss, poor air quality or travel disruption as we approach the start of fall term.

Below is a list of resources specific to Central Oregon:

• Sign up for emergency alerts from Deschutes County, Crook County or Jefferson County so that you receive local emergency communications including fire evacuation notices.
• The Deschutes County Fairgrounds has been established as a temporary evacuation point for those displaced by the fires. The Red Cross is there handling sheltering logistics.
• Local fire information can be found at the Central Oregon Fire Information blog.

You can also find updated information about fires throughout Oregon at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management Facebook page and air quality information at the AirNow website.

For those traveling, be sure to monitor Trip Check for road conditions and closures, as many passes have been closed by the fires. Be prepared for loss of mobile phone coverage due to outages, and bring paper maps for navigation in case you need to change your route. 

Remember that all classes at OSU-Cascades have a remote learning option this fall term, so you may attend your classes from home if traveling is not safe. Additionally, faculty have been encouraged to make accommodations for students who have been impacted by the wildfires.

We encourage that you and your family seek to remain safe and mindful of your health and that of your family and friends. This is certainly an unprecedented time and especially important for our community to come together to support one another.

Sincerely,

Becky Johnson

Vice President

OSU-Cascades

Jade Warner

President

ASCC

Dear OSU-Cascades faculty, staff and students,

As you know, child care needs throughout our region will increase this fall due to the changing K-12 and pre-school schedules caused by the pandemic. Over the summer we have been working to understand the child care needs of faculty, staff and student parents within the OSU-Cascades community.

In response, OSU-Cascades anticipates launching Little Beavs Child Care (LBCC) in early October, provided sufficient demand is demonstrated. LBCC is designed as a temporary, short-term child care service for parents in our campus community.  Our goal is to provide this service to help parents succeed as they pursue their professional and academic work during these challenging times.

The LBCC service would allow parents to leave a child in care for short periods while they take time to attend or teach a class and manage their daily lives. LBCC will operate under guidance provided by the Oregon Health Authority and relevant guidance provided by the Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division.

To learn more about the program and apply, please visit the new Little Beavs Child Care web page. Your application will help us determine true demand for the service.

For questions, please email [email protected].   

Thank you especially to our Bend Beav parents for the important feedback as we considered child care options for our campus.

Sincerely,

Kelly Sparks

Kelly Sparks

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,

As you are aware, the wildfires burning throughout Oregon and the region are unprecedented, putting lives and property at risk. While there are no active fires in our immediate region, this emergency is affecting many from our campus community and their families, whether from evacuations, property loss, poor air quality or travel disruption as we approach the start of fall term.

Below is a list of resources specific to Central Oregon:

• Sign up for emergency alerts from Deschutes County, Crook County or Jefferson County so that you receive local emergency communications including fire evacuation notices.
• The Deschutes County Fairgrounds has been established as a temporary evacuation point for those displaced by the fires. The Red Cross is there handling sheltering logistics.
• Local fire information can be found at the Central Oregon Fire Information blog.

You can also find updated information about fires throughout Oregon at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management Facebook page and air quality information at the AirNow website.

For those traveling, be sure to monitor Trip Check for road conditions and closures, as many passes have been closed by the fires. Be prepared for loss of mobile phone coverage due to outages, and bring paper maps for navigation in case you need to change your route. 

Remember that all classes at OSU-Cascades have a remote learning option this fall term, so you may attend your classes from home if traveling is not safe. Additionally, faculty have been encouraged to make accommodations for students who have been impacted by the wildfires.

We encourage that you and your family seek to remain safe and mindful of your health and that of your family and friends. This is certainly an unprecedented time and especially important for our community to come together to support one another.

Sincerely,

Becky Johnson

Vice President

OSU-Cascades

Jade Warner

President

ASCC

Dear Students,

A healthier and safer OSU depends on you. And OSU has guidance and resources to help inform you about staying healthy. Bookmark the COVID-19 Safety & Success for Students site, where you can find comprehensive information and a list of resources for fall term.

On that site, you’ll find COVID-19 Return to Campus guides for Corvallis students and for Cascades students. These provide key guidance for planning your return to campus, such as creating a plan of action should you get sick. In that guide, you will also find directions on what to do if you feel ill as well as a checklist of items to bring to campus. Be sure to read through the guide to ensure you contribute to making OSU a healthier, safer community.

Be well,

Jenny Haubenreiser, Associate Vice Provost of Health and Wellness

Student Health Services

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

11 September 2020

Dear OSU Students,

As we witness widespread wildfires throughout the western United States, the university is aware that many OSU students are employed as firefighters, work in roles supporting firefighting efforts, or have personally experienced loss due to fires in their home communities. As a result, these students may need to delay their arrival for fall term classes, depending on their specific situation.

I have asked all OSU faculty to accommodate to the fullest extent possible OSU students who are fighting or have been affected by the ongoing wildfires.

Many faculty may extend in-course deadlines by a minimum of two weeks for students who are delayed because of wildfires, allowing them to begin classes as late as Oct. 12. Because some students may be at an academic disadvantage if they miss two or more weeks of class, I have asked advisors to explain to students their options in light of late arrival. Students who arrive late should work directly with their course instructors. If you need assistance in reaching your instructors, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Students affected by the wildfires who choose to delay their enrollment until winter term will receive a refund for fall term registration already paid or they may drop without penalty through Oct. 9. If you are in this situation, please contact the Office of the Registrar so that the appropriate assistance can be provided by emailing [email protected].

If you have need of assistance for essential accommodations, services and support, or have general concerns or questions, please be aware of the following resources:

Corvallis campus students:

Office of the Dean of Students for general resource support and referrals.

CAPS for mental health and counseling support.

OSU-Cascades campus students:

Student Care Team for general support and referrals.

Student Wellness for mental health and counseling support.

You may also call 211 or use this link for assistance in finding emergency resources in the community in which you live.

You also may want to help those affected by the wildfires. Anyone wishing to volunteer or contribute food or other supplies to evacuees located at the Benton County Fairgrounds should call 541-224-1339 or visit this website for more information. Those living outside of Corvallis should visit their local county emergency operations website to provide assistance to others impacted by the fires. Meanwhile, the Red Cross is recommending that wildfire relief be made by making a financial donation or by signing up to volunteer.

We are grateful for all those working hard to save lives and property, and our hearts go out to all families and individuals who have been affected by the fires.

Please stay safe.

Sincerely,

Edward Feser

Provost and Executive Vice President

OSU faculty, staff and students,

Due to prolonged smoke and ash conditions resulting from numerous wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, the following university facilities in western Oregon will close until further notice beginning at 3 p.m. today, Sept. 9, 2020:

• All non-essential Corvallis campus educational, research, administrative, OSU Extension programs and campus operations. 
• All non-essential Hatfield Marine Science Center operations in Newport. 
• All non-essential county Extension offices and programs in western Oregon and all non-essential Agricultural Experiment Station operations in western Oregon.
• The OSU Portland Center.

Essential operations at these university facilities will be designated by department managers and include on-going critical research, University Housing and Dining Services, public safety and facility services operations. Programs and centers serving children, including camps and child care centers on OSU’s Corvallis campus, will remain open today until designated parents or family members are able to pick-up their children.

Even while we prepare to close these operations, air quality in university buildings continues to meet federal and state standards. However, OSU is closing these facilities to enable university personnel to shut down air circulation systems in buildings that do not serve research activities that must be sustained or students within UHDS facilities. This will limit anticipated extensive damage to air circulation systems from infiltration of heavy ash and smoke residue. As a result and until further notice, all other non-essential OSU employees should work from home if their work can be performed remotely and with their supervisor’s knowledge. If an employee is unable to perform their work remotely, please see additional guidance as provided by on the Hazardous Conditions, Inclement Weather matrix.

During this air quality crisis, we encourage you to be mindful of your health, as well as the health of your family and friends, by adhering to public health advisories.

We acknowledge that this week’s fire-related impacts are occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are affecting university community members and communities that OSU serves. For updated information about fires throughout Oregon, visit the Oregon Office of Emergency Management Facebook page. For air quality and smoke information, visit the AirNow website. You also may visit your local county website for other pertinent local information regarding emergency management and evacuations.

For additional support and confidential assistance, students should contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at 541-727-2131 or visit the CAPS website for information about counseling services. Employees seeking confidential support may contact Beyond Benefits, OSU’s new employee assistance program, at 855-327-4722 or visit its website. Note that OSUbeyond is the organization web ID needed for initial registration for the Beyond Benefits program.

You may seek ways to help those directly affected by these wildfires. Anyone wishing to volunteer or contribute food or other supplies to evacuees located at the Benton County Fairgrounds should call 541-224-1339 or visit this website for more information. OSU employees living outside of Corvallis should visit their local county emergency operations website to provide assistance to others impacted by the fires.

According to air quality monitoring sites in western Oregon, air quality in some locations will improve some tonight and tomorrow while remaining in the hazardous range. In the meantime, please take care of yourselves.

We will provide further updates on the OSU Home Page and by e-mail in the days ahead.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Green

Vice President for Finance and Administration

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

Dear OSU Students,

I am writing to provide attention to important updates to OSU’s COVID-19 safety policies. 

Physical Distancing Policy:

Statewide mandates on gatherings and social get togethers have also been updated by the governor and OSU has updated its policy to align and supplement these requirements.

Additionally, as we have seen across the nation, social get-togethers continue to take place without the necessary precautions of keeping physical distance. Large crowds gathering in spaces not suited for adequate physical distancing may create greater risk to the university and local communities.

With that risk in mind, OSU’s Physical Distancing Policy now provides requirements for students on gatherings and social get-togethers, on and off campus. Until further notice, and enforceable through the Code of Student Conduct, students must restrict their attendance at and hosting of social get togethers to 10 people or fewer, indoor and outdoor, while residing or participating in an activity in the state of Oregon, regardless of whether the get together is related to University business or on University property, unless a more restrictive law or Oregon Health Authority guidance applies.  While not accountable to the Student Code of Conduct, we ask OSU faculty and staff also to observe the university guideline prohibiting indoor and outdoor social gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Face Covering Policy:

We appreciate the OSU community’s commitment to adhering to the university’s important public health measures regarding face coverings. With Gov. Kate Brown’s August issuance of statewide mask, face covering, and face shield guidance, OSU has updated its policy to align with the state of Oregon’s requirements and limited exceptions.  Moving forward, requests from individuals to not comply with the university’s policy or otherwise be exempted will require approval through our existing disability accommodation processes. Employees who seek an exemption based on a disability can direct their accommodation request through the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.  Students may contact Disability Access Services for an exemption request for accommodation based on disability. Requests not based on a disability may directed to the OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator at [email protected].

In addition, please be aware that in some instances, OSU’s Face Covering Policy may be more restrictive than state of Oregon guidance.

Please familiarize yourself with both updated policies. Through continued adherence to Gov. Kate Brown's Executive Orders, OHA Guidelines and OSU policy and the OSU Resumption Plan, we will continue to seek to minimize the risk and spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Thank you,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Dear Students,

As OSU prepares for fall term, we will provide timely updates on important topics. 

OSU’s Corvallis campus is planning to offer most classes remotely, but is planning to offer some in-person class options. OSU-Cascades plans to offer approximately 50% of classes in-person or with blended remote and in-person instruction. You may search for remote classes and blended classes in the Schedule of Classes. Blended classes are anticipated to include a mix of in-person and remote learning.

In the Schedule of Classes, remote classes will display “Remote Learning RL” in the Meeting Info or in the Attribute Description section. Blended Learning classes will display in the Attribute Description section.

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Once you have your class schedule, you can also see the location where the class will be held or if a class is remote through MyOregonState in the Academic Resources tab. You can do so two ways:

Click ‘My Week at a Glance.’

It will take you to Online Services, where you can enter a date during fall term to see your schedule:

Or, you can click ‘View Your Class Schedule in Detail.”

This will also take you to Online Services, where you can select fall 2020 and see details about your class:

If your physical campus-based course does not display “RL or Remote Learning,” it means that you will follow the regular class schedule, attending in-person. If for some reason this presents challenges for you, you may wish to talk with your academic advisor about a schedule that accommodates your needs. Just be sure to do so within the add/drop period as published on the Academic Calendar.

You can use the Scheduler to help you create a schedule that fits your needs.

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