Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs
October 26, 2020
Dear OSU students,
I write to ask for your immediate and ongoing attention to critical COVID-19 public health measures, including following university policies on wearing face coverings and physical distancing. Given the high rate of asymptomatic infection, particularly among young adults, it is critical that all students take every precaution to prevent the spread of this very serious disease. While you may not be fearful of contracting the virus yourself, the person who contracts the virus from you could face dire health consequences, including death.
While most members of the OSU community have shown exceptional adherence in helping to support a healthier and safer community, unfortunately some students have not. Since the start of fall term, the university has had to take swift and significant action against a number of students and student organizations who put themselves and others at risk of being exposed to COVID-19 by hosting large get-togethers, not wearing face coverings, and not observing Oregon Health Authority guidelines. These cases have been investigated as violations of the Code of Student Conduct and have resulted in a number of students and student organization being suspended from OSU. It is my hope that with your commitment to observe required public health measures, we do not need to continue to suspend students to protect community wellbeing.
Please do all you can to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Remember:
I know that you are weary of the pandemic. We all are. But it will take each one of us to remain vigilant in adhering to all public health measures to reduce the risk and spread of the virus among friends, families and community members. It’s on all of us to contribute to a safer and healthier community, while advances in science address the cause of the virus and ways to prevent disease through vaccinations and other means.
If you haven’t started to be an active part of the health care solution, it’s not too late. Please start today. If you are already observing OSU and the state’s public health measures, please don’t stop. This will require extra attention over Halloween, game-days, and other university or family social occasions.
Sincerely,
Dan Larson
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
OSU’s COVID-19 Response Coordinator
Oregon State University
Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs
studentaffairs.oregonstate.edu