Office of the Registrar

From: Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

Dear OSU Students,

Thank you for your steadiness and flexibility as we begin winter term navigating the continued impacts of the pandemic. We know the recent surge in the virus has been especially challenging, given how fast the Omicron variant is spreading and with isolation requirements that come with positive cases.

Recent predictions show that while positive cases of COVID-19 are expected to peak in Oregon next week, we still expect that a rising number of OSU community members will need to isolate and/or support family members in isolation. Given public health measures in place within OSU, we do not anticipate circumstances where it will be necessary to move all university operations to remote delivery, although some courses may experience temporary adjustments.

Below are updates on the university’s efforts to mitigate exposure and transmission.

Positive Case Notification:

Per OSU requirements, students are required to notify the university if they have tested positive for COVID-19. See this notification quick reference guide for details. It is the urgent responsibility of anyone who tests positive to complete OSU’s Positive Case Notification.

As of Jan 18, 2022, OSU will provide daily updates on testing and positive case counts, as well as a daily list of buildings where positive cases have been reported within the past 24 hours. This information will be provided on OSU’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

Masks and Face Coverings:

While supplies last, OSU will provide N95 or KN95 masks at no charge to employees and students. To learn more about where you can pick up masks for your personal use, please visit the OSU Face Covering Guidance, Supplies, and Public Health Policy page.

Isolation:

New recommended isolation and quarantine guidelines are in effect. Please familiarize yourself with the full guidance, but in simple terms, if you test positive or are symptomatic: isolate. If you have been exposed and are up-to-date on your vaccinations against COVID-19, watch for symptoms and wear your mask around others. You do not need to quarantine or isolate, unless you test positive or develop symptoms. However, if you have been exposed and are not vaccinated, or are not up-to-date on your vaccinations, you need to quarantine.

As we move toward the expected peak of this wave of positive cases in the coming days, we will continue to provide updates, resources and guidance. Again, thank you for your flexibility during this challenging time. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson, Vice Provost for Student Affairs

OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator