Office of the Registrar

From: Office of the Associate Vice President, OSU-Cascades

Dear OSU-Cascades community, 

As you saw in today’s earlier message regarding Oregon State University’s plans for winter term on-site instruction, operations and activities, from Interim President Becky Johnson and Provost and Executive Vice President Ed Feser, OSU-Cascades will continue in-person instruction beginning Monday, Jan. 3.

However, with the increased prevalence nationally and within Oregon of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, your cooperation and support are needed even before you return to campus to minimize exposure to the virus and cases within our campus community.  Specifically:

• We strongly recommend that all students, faculty and staff take and receive the results of a COVID-19 test before Jan 3 if walk-up testing or testing appointments are available in your area. If you test positive over the holidays, remain home and do not come to campus until you are no longer symptomatic and have passed the CDC and Oregon Health Authority’s required isolation period. To find a testing site:
  • In Deschutes County, visit the Deschutes County Health Services website.
  • In Oregon, dial 2-1-1 or visit the Oregon Health Authority website.
  • Elsewhere visit the U.S. Health and Human Services website.
• OSU-Cascades will offer voluntary* on-campus COVID-19 testing for all students and employees as winter term begins. Testing will again be available weekly on-campus beginning Jan. 3:
  • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 – 6 p.m.
    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
    Edward J. Ray Hall, Room 307

*Students and employees with a vaccination exception will still be required to test for COVID-19 weekly.

• All students who are moving in or returning to the OSU-Cascades residence hall will be required to be tested for COVID-19 on Monday, Jan. 3. Residential students are asked to watch for further details from Amy Snyder, Director of Student Success, in the coming days. 
• Going forward, booster shots will be required as part of OSU’s vaccination program. More information will be provided about this requirement. In the meantime, please get your booster, if eligible and if boosters are available in your area, prior to the start of winter term. To find a vaccine booster clinic:
  • In Deschutes County visit the Deschutes County Health Services website.
  • In Oregon visit the Oregon Health Authority website.
  • Elsewhere visit the CDC Vaccine Finder website. 

Your cooperation and support for a healthier campus community has been remarkable and make a difference.

If you have questions, please email them to [email protected] for a prompt response from the OSU-Cascades COVID-19 team.  You may also visit OSUcascades.edu/covid19 for information. 

Sincerely,

Kelly Sparks, Associate Vice President Finance and Strategic Planning

Oregon State University – Cascades