ODU Rising – Campus Safety Plan

Will fall semester still begin on Aug. 16, 2021?
Yes. ODU’s fall semester will begin on schedule on Aug. 16, 2021, with classes returning to an on-campus, in-person format.

 

Will masks be required on campus for the fall semester?
No. ODU’s policies align with guidance and recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As such, individuals who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a facemask while on campus or socially distance, either indoors or outdoors; however, they are welcome to wear a facemask if they so choose. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

 

Will ODU randomly test students for COVID-19?
We don’t expect to. Throughout the 2021 spring semester, ODU worked with Central Ohio Primary Care to randomly test 3% of students on a weekly basis to adhere to state guidelines and recommendations. At this point, it is unclear whether random student testing will be required at any point during the 2021-22 academic year. ODU’s testing policies will be dependent upon recommendations and guidelines issued by local, state and/or federal public health officials, including the CDC.

 

Who should I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
Students with questions or concerns may contact the Dean of Student Life at reeds@ohiodominican.edu or 614-251-4593. Employees may contact the Human Resources Office at hr@ohiodominican.edu or 614-251-4597.

What is ODU doing to keep students, faculty and staff safe?
A number of steps are being taken to ensure the health and safety of the campus community. ODU continues to work closely with its facilities and housekeeping services partner, Sodexo, to ensure enhanced cleaning protocols are in place. In addition, hand-sanitizing stations remain available in high-traffic areas across campus, and cleaning supplies are located near high-touch surfaces, such as copiers and printers. All employees have been instructed to remain at or go home if they feel ill.

 

Are campus offices currently staffed?
The majority of campus offices are open; however, some staff members continue to work remotely on a part-time basis. Contact information has been posted outside of offices so students and visitors know how to contact those staff members remotely.

 

Has ODU resumed renting out space on campus for outside events and conferences?
Yes. If you are interested in renting space on ODU’s campus for an event, please contact Monica Bain, director of Special Events and Conferences, at bainm@ohiodominican.edu at 614-251-4774.

What if I don’t feel well at any point during the year?
Students who don’t feel well at any point during the academic year should remain at home or in their dorm room, notify their professor and not report to class. Students who are unvaccinated and who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should contact their primary care provider or the Wellness Center to schedule an appointment with Health Services staff for evaluation of symptoms. To contact ODU’s Wellness Center, email wellnesscenter@ohiodominican.edu or call 614-251-4570. Commuting students are asked not to come to campus if they are feeling ill or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. If a student arrives on campus and feels ill, they should contact the Wellness Center to notify them, if possible, but should leave campus and go home and contact their primary care provider immediately. Employees should continue to self-monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to coming to campus and, if they are feeling ill, should remain at home and contact their physician. Regardless of whether you have been vaccinated, if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, we ask you to still please complete the COVID-19 Questionnaire by clicking here so any necessary contact tracing can be conducted.

 

Can I find out who is in quarantine or isolation?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits us from sharing sensitive student health information, so information related to those in quarantine or isolation cannot be shared.

What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
According to the CDC, isolation is when you separate yourself from others because you have a contagious disease. On the other hand, you quarantine from others if you were or may have been exposed to someone who has contracted a contagious disease. During a quarantine, you stay away from others while you monitor your health to see if you become sick. In short, you isolate if you are sick, and you quarantine if you might be sick. For more information on isolation and quarantine guidelines from the CDC, click here.

 

When is someone considered to be fully vaccinated?
In order to be considered fully vaccinated, two weeks must have passed since you received either the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

 

Will I be required to quarantine if I come into contact with someone who has tested positive?
Per CDC guidelines, most individuals who are fully vaccinated will not need to complete a period of quarantine or be tested if they have exposure to someone who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 and they are not showing any symptoms. Individuals who are not vaccinated may be required to complete a period of quarantine. Regardless of whether you have been vaccinated, if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, we ask you to still please complete the COVID-19 Questionnaire by clicking here so any necessary contact tracing can be conducted.

Are classes taking place on campus or online?
We are planning to make a complete return to in-classroom instruction during the fall 2021-22 academic year. It is possible that a small number of courses may continue to utilize a hybrid format.

 

What if I am not ready or comfortable attending in-person classes?
If you are not comfortable attending class in person, please contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs at martinem1@ohiodominican.edu or 614-251-4671 so alternative options can be explored.

 

What is a hybrid class?
A hybrid course combines one group of on-campus students with another group of remote students through the Virtual Classroom. Please be aware that by attending a hybrid class in person you may appear on camera. Class sessions may be recorded, and recordings may be found in our PantherLearn course shell. Such recordings/streaming will only be available to students registered for this class.

Am I permitted to share recordings of my online/hybrid classes?
No. All class recordings are the intellectual property of the faculty and they may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. Further, students may not share these sessions with those not in the class, or upload them to any other online environment. Doing so may be a violation of the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

 

Will I have access to tutoring services this fall?
Yes. Tutoring services will be available from ODU’s Academic Resource Center in person.

 

What Library services will be available this year?
For information about Library services, click here.

What is ODU doing to keep residential students safe?
Fortunately, the vast majority of ODU 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 naturally helps to limit interaction with other residents. In addition, we are working with our housekeeping partner, Sodexo, to ensure all public areas of residence halls are regularly cleaned and sanitized.

 

Will ODU’s dining hall and other dining options be available?
Yes. You will still be able to get your meals either in Hamilton Dining Hall or the Griffin Student Center Deli. We anticipate that both areas will return to full operation and capacity. For more information on ODU's dining services, click here.

 

Will I be permitted to have guests in my room?
Yes. Guests and visitors, including family and non-family of ODU students, will be permitted inside the residence halls. The guest policy in the Student Handbook applies to all guests.

How often will my room be cleaned?
Facilities and Housekeeping staff will continue to follow enhanced cleaning plans, which include having community bathrooms cleaned once a day and sanitized twice a day. We encourage members of the campus community to bring a good supply of your own sanitizing spray and/or wipes to wipe down commonly touched spaces in your room/office, 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.

Will clubs, activities and events be available on campus?
Yes. We expect Ohio Dominican’s campus life to return to pre-pandemic levels of activity. We know that a major component of ODU’s vibrant campus are the dozens of clubs and hundreds of activities and events that are available on campus throughout the semester, so organizations are invited to resume normal in-person activity. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure you have a fun, exciting and successful year at Ohio Dominican.

 

I’m a student-athlete. Will I be able to practice and compete with my teammates this year?
For the latest information regarding athletics at Ohio Dominican, visit ohiodominicanpanthers.com or contact your coach.

Can I use ODU's athletic facilities?
At this time, the basketball courts in Alumni Hall, Panther Field, and the baseball and softball fields are reserved for varsity team activity only. The grass practice field and Brentnell field are available for recreational use when not occupied by an athletic team. For any questions, please contact ODU’s athletic department at 614-251-4735.