Office of the Registrar

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear OSU Students,

As we approach the end of winter term and look to the beginning of spring term, I write to share information about spring break travel precautions and COVID-19 testing. Please plan carefully to protect your own and community members’ wellness.

While positive cases of COVID-19 have recently declined and vaccine distribution is progressing well, the virus is still a great risk to you, your families, friends, the OSU community, and our nearby communities. The Oregon Health Authority continues to recommend that we stay close to home. The levels of spread in other areas of the US, relaxed public health measures in some states, and the presence of viral variants all necessitate taking extra care.

COVID-19 Testing:

Week of March 15 (Finals Week)

All OSU students, including graduate students, will receive an email invitation to be tested through TRACE OSU. All students living in the residence halls are required to be tested each week, including during finals week. Students in Corvallis will be able to test Monday-Wednesday (March 15-17) and students at OSU-Cascades will be able to test Tuesday and Wednesday (March 16-17). Locations for testing will be provided within your emailed invitation. 

Week of March 29 (Spring Term Week 1)

All OSU students, including graduate students, will receive an email invitation to be tested through TRACE OSU. All students living in the residence halls are required to be tested within the first 3 days of spring term. Students in Corvallis will be able to test Monday-Thursday (March 29-April 2) and students at OSU-Cascades will be able to test Tuesday and Wednesday (March 30-31). Locations for testing will be provided in your email invitation. 

It is important that each of us continues to be vigilant by doing our part in limiting the spread of COVID-19. Per guidance from our local public health authority, if you have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, please adhere to the precautions below.

• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 10 days after travel.
  • Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 10 days.
  • If you test positive, isolate yourself to protect others from becoming infected.
• Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, regardless of the outcome of your test or whether or not you take a test.

Thank you for doing your part in observing these travel precautions, participating in testing, getting vaccinated when able, continuing to wear your face coverings, engaging in physical distancing, and limiting group size.

I wish you much success as you wrap up this term!

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

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