Dear OSU Community Members,

Earlier this week, Interim President Johnson and Provost Feser shared with you that the university’s COVID-19 pandemic response continues to be based on OSU’s values of being steady, principled, informed and unified.

Guided by these values, OSU’s Pathway to Fall plans for returning to in-person learning, work and activity this fall are comprehensive and responsive, by providing for mitigation measures that allow us to adjust if health conditions change. Our values extend beyond the university community through collaboration with county health authorities. For example, Benton County Public Health officials have confirmed that our efforts – including OSU’s vaccination requirement for students and employees; vaccination and testing verification processes for designated activities and events; plans for regular campus-based testing; vaccination clinics planned to be held weekly on campus; compliance with state and local requirements; as well as other measures – are effective measures to reduce risk and prevent transmission, and will benefit the university and the community at large.

Benton County’s assessment reflects the success of our careful planning and execution. We are confident that these measures support the university’s plans for on-site instruction, residential living and other campus and on-site university activities. Thank you everyone who has contributed to our plans and readiness.

As well, I share these important COVID-19 updates.

Proof of Vaccination:

As an added measure to help reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19, OSU will require proof of vaccination or proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test for attendees to gain access to designated university events, gatherings, and activities. Events, gatherings, and activities that have been designated as requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test are:

  • All indoor gatherings, concerts, conferences, and performances that are open to the public.
  • All indoor and outdoor intercollegiate sports competition events open to the public.
  • All outdoor gatherings, concerts and performances that are open to the public and have over 25 people in attendance.

Events, gatherings, and activities that serve OSU students and employees, who are required to comply with the university’s vaccination program, will generally not require proof of vaccination upon entry or participation. However, some events, gatherings and activities may present conditions where requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test for attendees is warranted. For example, when students or employees are interacting with an unvaccinated population, such as children under 12; occupying tight quarters such as traveling in passenger vehicles, or when there are prolonged periods of time when participants are not required to wear face coverings, such as an indoor event that serves a meal. For these events, gatherings and activities, event planners must seek review to determine whether the added measure of verifying proof of vaccination or negative covid test is required. 

Event planning requirements on proof of vaccination or a negative test entry verification is available on the Planning for In-person Events website and the accompanying guidance document.

OSU Vaccination Dashboard:

OSU’s vaccine program requires compliance by Sept. 15, 2021, by all students and employees who learn, work or engage with others in-person during classes or activities. Impressive compliance is already taking place by students and employees. Updates on progress toward compliance are available on the OSU Safety and Success website dashboard. If you have not yet complied with the vaccination program, please do so now.

Positive Case Notification:

Please familiarize yourself with OSU’s COVID-19 Positive Case or Exposure Notification Protocol.  Employees who have been on-site at any OSU location in the previous 14 days, and test positive or experience symptoms of COVID-19 or believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated, are required to notify their supervisor.  Supervisors are responsible to inform employees of available resources, as well as notify others of potential exposure. Communication templates and guidance are available here.

Please Inventory and Order COVID-19 Supplies:

Unit managers are responsible for assuring that sufficient COVID-19 supplies are available in appropriate locations.  Supplies include face coverings, hand sanitizers, antibacterial wipes and cleaning supplies.  Please review your inventory of such supplies and use BennyBuy from Eprocurement website. Click on “Resumption Store Supplies” and remember to use ZCOV activity code when ordering.

I will continue to provide regular updates and guidance as we progress towards Fall term.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Date: 
August 27, 2021