What is ODU doing to keep residential students safe?
Fortunately, the vast majority of our residence halls utilize a suite-style format, so residential students live with no more than three additional students. Also, each suite
has access to their own private restroom. This setup helps to limit interaction with other residents. In addition, we are working with our housekeeping partner, Sodexo, to ensure all residence halls are regularly cleaned and sanitized.
Will ODU’s dining hall and other dining options be available?
Yes. You are still able to get your meals either in Hamilton Dining Hall or the Griffin Student Center Deli. Hamilton Hall is able to accommodate
seating for up to 100 people at a time and there is no self-service, so there is an emphasis on carryout and online ordering this year. The Grill has not reopened; however, some Grill items are available at the other venues. For more information on ODU's dining services, click here.
To avoid large crowds, Hamilton Hall will offer continuous service during the fall and spring. In between regular meal periods, soup, salad and other made-to-order items will be available, as well as "Grab & Go" (while supplies last.) Though Hamilton Hall will be
open all day, its regular meal periods (when classic hot entrees will be ready to serve) are as follows:
Monday - Friday:
- Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Dinner: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday:
- Brunch: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Dinner: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Will I be required to wear a facemask or socially distance while in the residence halls?
While face coverings will be required in all public and common areas on campus, you will not be expected to wear a face covering while
in your suite. However, you will be asked to wear one while walking down the hall or when in the shared restrooms in Sansbury Hall. We also ask you to do your best to stay 6’ away from others, even within your suite. Stairwells in each
building will be designated either “up” or “down,” and elevator capacity will have limits posted. In addition, furniture will be arranged in lounges and other common spaces to encourage social distancing. Laundry rooms
will remain open as you are encouraged to wash cloth face coverings after each use (so please bring plenty of options). We encourage you to wipe down all surfaces before and after use in any common areas with hard surfaces, buttons, or handles
you may touch.
Will I be permitted to have guests in my room?
To help ensure the health and safety of all residential students, there will be no guests permitted inside the residence halls. This includes family and non-residential ODU students.
Any guests who desire to visit you must remain outside or meet with you in large open areas such as the Griffin Student Center.
If you would like to request approval for a guest to enter the building, you will need to coordinate with a Residence Life professional staff member at least 48 hours in advance to make that request. If Franklin County risk levels are reduced
to Level 1 (
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/public-health-advisory-system/) during the semester, this policy may be reviewed
and adjusted. If you do not live in a building, you will not be permitted to enter it.
Will my room be configured differently to help adhere to physical distancing?
Most rooms and occupancy levels in our residence halls will remain the same as they have been in the past. In rooms where there is more than one
student assigned, the furniture will be arranged in a layout to help provide as much space as possible between residents while they are sleeping. We will encourage you to leave the furniture configured in this way, and to not bring additional
furniture or large items to help maintain this layout.
How can I visit with my Resident Assistant?
RAs will still be building community and getting to know you. They will visit you virtually, setting up times to interact on Microsoft Teams or Zoom instead of just stopping by
your room. We know this will be quite the adjustment and so we hope you will share ideas for fun things we can do to build a community while trying not to breathe, cough or sneeze on each other!
How often will my room be cleaned?
Facilities and Housekeeping staff have been putting together enhanced cleaning plans, which include having community bathrooms cleaned once a day and sanitized twice a day. We encourage
you to bring a good supply of your own sanitizing spray and/or wipes to wipe down commonly touched spaces in your room, especially areas like your door handle and/or light switch. For those in suite-style halls, where you are responsible for
cleaning your own bathrooms and living areas, we will encourage you to wipe down the frequently touched surfaces every day with sanitizing products. Some cleaning and sanitizing products will be available at the front desks.
Am I permitted to leave campus?
During the semester, we highly encourage students not to leave campus during the weekends as every interaction with other individuals and communities increases the exposure possibility for all students on campus.
What happens if a student becomes sick?If a student reports symptoms of COVID19, staff from Residence Life and the Wellness Center will work with them to have a test done at a local testing facility. If that test comes back
positive, the student may be required to self-isolate for as many as 14 days, and any students that were in close contact with the student may be asked to quarantine for as many as 14 days. If these students choose to stay on campus, we have set aside
a few suites to use for self-isolation and quarantine. During this time, students will be able to complete all course requirements remotely, and meals will be delivered by Dining Services and Residence Life staff. ODU is currently following all state guidelines and recommendations for quarantine following possible COVID-19 exposure, as updated by the Ohio Department of Health in December 2020. Click
here to view ODH’s updated recommendations.
What if I am having second thoughts about living on campus?We realize some of you might be wondering if living on campus this year is right for you. We know some families have had financial changes and, for some students,
their own health or the health of family members is a concern. If you’re thinking you may want to live at home (or in an off-campus apartment as a junior or senior not receiving athletic aid), please contact the Office of Residence
Life at
reslife@ohiodominican.edu to discuss your situation and concerns. If your family lives slightly further than the 40-mile radius from campus, there will be some flexibility with the commuting
distance. We need to hear from you on your plans. Please be aware that making a change to your residency may have an impact on your financial aid, including your eligibility for athletic aid.