ODU Rising – Campus Safety Plan

Is ODU requiring students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for the 2022-23 academic year?
No. Following the Supreme Court's ruling on the federal vaccination and testing mandate, Ohio Dominican has suspended its vaccination and testing requirements for the 2022-23 academic year. We will instead focus our efforts on making vaccines and boosters as available as possible, and encouraging all members of our community to practice caution, which includes washing hands frequently, masking up when indoors per the City of Columbus’ ordinance, staying home and testing if sick, and taking necessary steps if a COVID-19 test result comes back positive.

Will ODU keep its indoor mask requirement in place?
Effective Feb. 28, 2022, at the recommendation of the Pandemic Task Force, and with the approval of the university’s Leadership Team, we are lifting ODU’s indoor mask mandate effective immediately. While we will no longer require members of our community to wear a mask, we very much welcome their use, especially when in close-contact settings. Also, there may be a few locations on campus where masks will still be required, so please pay attention to signage that will be displayed outside of those locations.

How can I report my vaccination status to the university?
Members of the campus community who do get vaccinated are encouraged to share their proof of vaccination by emailing a copy or photo of their card to ODURising@ohiodominican.edu.

How can I get vaccinated?
Students, faculty and staff may consider a number of options to get vaccinated. In addition to getting the vaccine free of charge at any of the local pharmacy providers in the area, including CVS, Walgreens and Kroger, members of the community also have the ability to get vaccinated through ODU’s partnership with Central Ohio Primary Care. To schedule a vaccination appointment at the Care Forward Center in Peace Hall, contact the Wellness Center at 614-251-4570.

Will the fall 2022 semester begin on schedule?
Yes. ODU’s fall 2022 semester began on schedule on Aug. 15, 2022 with in-person classes.

Are facemasks required on campus?
No. ODU has been following recommendations from the CDC and our state and local health officials from the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective Feb. 28, 2022, at the recommendation of the Pandemic Task Force, and with the approval of the university’s Leadership Team, we are lifting ODU’s indoor mask mandate. While we will no longer require members of our community to wear a mask, we very much welcome their use, especially when in close-contact settings. Also, there may be a few locations on campus where masks will still be required, so please pay attention to signage that will be displayed outside of those locations. 

Where can I pick up a mask?
For your convenience, free facemasks are available at numerous locations across campus, including:

•  Office of Public Safety (Erskine Hall, suite 100)
•  Office of Undergraduate Admission (Griffin Student Center, suite 203)
•  Residence Life Office (Erskine Hall, suite 145)
•  Office of Human Resources (Erskine Hall, suite 136)
•  Library Circulation Desk (Spangler Learning Center, top floor)
•  Wellness Center (Griffin Student Center, suite 235)

Is COVID-19 testing available?
COVID-19 testing is available in COPC's Care Forward Center in Peace Hall, located at 2600 Airport Drive, Columbus, 43219. To schedule a test, please call 614-259-0910. Please note that members of the campus community are responsible for covering the cost of testing.

Will ODU mandate social distancing?
The latest recommendation by the CDC did not include guidelines related to social distancing. As such, our primary focus will be on ensuring that all members of the campus community remain masked while indoors. While ODU will not be mandating social distancing, we encourage all members of the campus community to make an effort to keep some distance from one another out of an abundance of caution and care.

Will ODU randomly test students for COVID-19?
As of right now, we don’t expect to randomly test students; however, there may be a different protocol that student-athletes have to follow. Student-athletes should check with the Office of Athletics for that information. There is always the chance that, should conditions warrant it, ODU may introduce student testing at some point during the fall or spring semester. Any testing policies will be dependent upon recommendations and guidelines issued by local, state and/or federal public health officials, including the CDC.

Is the vaccine be available to students?
Members of the campus community have the ability to get vaccinated free of charge through our partnership with Central Ohio Primary Care. To schedule a vaccination appointment at the Care Forward Center in Peace Hall, contact the Wellness Center at 614-251-4570.

Who should I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
Students with questions or concerns may contact lombarda@ohiodominican.edu or 614-251-4446. Employees may contact the Office of Human Resources 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?
Campus offices are open; however, a small number of staff members continue to work a hybrid work arrangement on a part-time basis. Contact information has been posted outside of offices so that 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 Stephen Brunson, director of Special Events and Conferences, at brunsons@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?
If a student tests positive and it’s determined through contact tracing that they were in close contact with a professor or other classmates, those impacted will be notified and informed to quarantine. Faculty will be notified as to who is in isolation or quarantine, as they are not to be in class in person. 

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.

Will I be required to quarantine if I come into contact with someone who has tested positive?
Per CDC guidelines, individuals who are fully vaccinated may 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 the link at the top of this page so any necessary contact tracing can be conducted.

Are classes taking place on campus or online?
We made a complete return to in-classroom instruction for the 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.

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

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).

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 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.

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.

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.

What happens if a student becomes sick?
If a student reports symptoms of COVID19, staff from 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 unvaccinated 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 may be able to complete course requirements remotely with the permission of​ their professor. Meals also 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.

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, Brentnell field and Fitness Center 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.