Health and Safety

C.DIFF

C. diff (Clostridioides difficile) is a bacterial illness caused by an infection of the colon. Symptoms include watery diarrhea three or more times a day, dehydration, loss of appetite, nausea, and mild belly cramping and tenderness. Severe cases can cause life-threatening damage to the colon.

C. diff germs spread from person to person in poop (stool), but the bacteria are often found in the environment. To reduce the spread of c. diff, students should wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and always before they eat.

If a student believes they have CDIFF, they need to go to Campus Care or a medical provider for diagnosis. Students who have medically confirmed CDIFF should relocate per medical instructions to an off-campus location. Relocation should include a space with a private bathroom to prevent contamination. Limited on-campus options may be available for students with extenuating circumstances who are unable to relocate themselves to an off-campus address. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The virus is spread from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). More information about COVID-19 be found on the CDC website.

Ohio University requires that students who reside in on-campus housing disclose whether they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to residing on-campus. Students who have been vaccinated are asked to share when and what types of vaccines were received. Students are not required to have been vaccinated nor receive the COVID-19 booster at this time.

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. Symptoms typically appear 2-14 days (about 2 weeks) after exposure to the virus. Severe cases of COVID-19 may require immediate medical attention. If you experience worsening or severe symptoms, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, or pain in your chest please call OUPD at 740.593.1911 for EMS assessment.

Housing and Residence Life does not provide designated isolation or quarantine spaces on campus. We strongly encourage students who have tested positive to return home or to their permanent address to isolate themselves for the recommended amount of time. and prevent the disease from spreading. Students who have tested positive but are unable to travel home may isolate on campus in their residence hall room.

Influenza

The influenza virus spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with the virus. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

If you think you have the flu, visit OhioHealth Campus Care at Hudson Health Center for assessment and treatment. To reduce the risk of spreading the flu, we recommend you stay in your room, away from class, and away from other students until your temperature is normal for 24 hours without the use of medication.

Severe cases of the flu may require immediate medical attention. If you experience worsening or severe symptoms, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, or pain in your chest please call OUPD at 740.593.1911 for EMS assessment.

Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. Common bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette.  While the susceptibility to the disease is low, bacterial meningitis can progress rapidly and have very serious and sometimes tragic health consequences.

Signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis may include sudden onset of fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and a rash that begins as clusters of small pricks and develops into purple bruising. If you have any of these symptoms, please go to OhioHealth Campus Care at Hudson Health Center immediately or call OUPD at 740.593.1911 for EMS assessment.

For information regarding the meningitis vaccination, contact OhioHealth Campus Care at Hudson Health Center.

Monkeypox (Mpox)

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy. Some people may have one or a few skin lesions and others have hundreds or more. These can appear anywhere on the body. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.

Mpox spreads from person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox, including members of a household. Close contact includes skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, or mouth-to-skin contact, and it can also include being face-to-face with someone who has mpox (such as talking or breathing close to one another, which can generate infectious respiratory particles).

If a student believes they have Mpox, they need to go to Campus Care or a medical provider for diagnosis. Students who have medically confirmed Mpox should isolate per medical instructions. Typical isolation can be 30 or more days, so students are highly encouraged to go home to isolate and contact their professors regarding their academic needs. Limited on-campus options may be available for students with extenuating circumstances who are unable to isolate themselves at an off-campus address.

Bed Bugs

Ohio University uses certified pest-control employees to combat the growing challenge of bedbugs facing the United States and the world. Our experts address bedbug issues quickly and effectively. It is important that students understand reporting measures in the event they encounter bedbugs. 

• Report suspected bedbug concerns by calling Facilities Management and Safety at 740.593.2911.
• Contact the building’s Resident Director or Graduate Resident Director as soon as possible. 
• If a student sees what they suspect is a bedbug, they should tape the suspected bedbug to a piece of paper or take a picture to show the responding pest-control staff for verification. 
• Once pest-control staff is notified, they will examine the student’s room for signs of bedbugs. Staff will contact the student to provide more information concerning any findings. 
• Student rooms with confirmed signs of bedbugs will be temporarily vacated to allow staff to begin the extermination process. 
• Affected students will be temporarily placed in another room. 

Other Pests

To prevent potential pest issues including ants, wasps, or roaches, students should keep food stored in airtight containers and remove trash from their rooms to their designated dumpster regularly. 

If you experience a pest issue in your room, immediately report the issue to Environmental Health and Safety through the EHS Pest Report Form or call 740.593.1666. Students are recommended to also notify their hall staff of the pest issue to ensure proper elimination and prevent spreading throughout the residence hall.

Ohio University Police Department

Ohio University Police Department is a is a full-service police agency responsible for enforcement of criminal laws, all investigations occurring on campus, and issuing timely warnings of crimes that pose a threat to students and employees.

OUPD is the main contact for emergencies occurring on campus. You are encouraged to program your cell phone speed dial to access the Ohio University Police Department at 740.593.1911. If your cell phone does not identify an “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) phone number, please take the time to program that number into your cell phone.

Safety and Security Guidelines

The actions below will promote the safety and security of yourself and your residence hall community. It is important that roommates and suitemates work together to ensure the security of their space.

• Always carry your OHIO ID. Your ID is required for access to the residence hall and other facilities on campus. You may be asked to identify yourself by a fellow student or member of the campus community.
• Always carry your keys and keep your room locked. Many thefts on campus are crimes of opportunity where items are left unattended and unsecured. It is equally important to lock your door while you are in your room, particularly when you are not able to observe someone entering through an unlocked door such as when you are sleeping.
• Never tamper with the lock mechanism on your door. Taping over the lock, removing hinge magnets, and other tampering decreases the effectiveness of the lock and creates opportunity for unauthorized entry. If the lock on your door is broken, call Facilities Management at 740.593.2911 or contact your hall staff.
• Never let someone into a residence hall if they do not have a key or do not live there. It is your right to identify who may be requesting access to your room or residence hall and for what reason. If they refuse to show their ID card, note their physical characteristics and clothing, and immediately call OUPD or 911.
• Never prop open exterior doors. Many doors are equipped with alarms to prevent them from being propped. It is okay to deny someone entry into your hall if you do not believe they are a resident and are not escorted by a resident of your hall. Guests must always be escorted by a student who lives in the hall.
• Never lend your room key to anyone and always report lost or stolen keys immediately. Lost or stolen keys should be reported to hall staff, the service desk at the Living Learning Center, or to OUPD. Once a key is reported lost or stolen, the locks are changed and the keys for the room are replaced to prevent unauthorized entry to the space.
• Always register your bike with OUPD and complete a Personal Property Inventory. Storing items such as make, model, serial number, and photos of items are helpful in tracking and identifying stolen property. Some items may be engraved with identifying marks or information.
• Always shred or tear up items with personal information. Destroying paperwork with personal information prevents identity thieves who may pick through your trash or piles of unread mail stacked in a corner.
• Always help your friends! Be a good neighbor and immediately call OUPD if you observe suspicious persons or activity.