Keeping Bobcats informed, March 16, 2020

The following message was sent to students on Monday, March 16, 2020.

As the Ohio University community weathers the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we know two things for certain: Bobcats care for each other — no matter where we are, and Ohio University remains committed to your professional and personal development and to supporting you on your path to graduation.

Ohio University faculty and staff are working to ensure as seamless a transition as possible to remote and online instruction beginning Monday, March 23, and continuing through the end of the semester at all of our campuses and locations. We are responding to all of your questions and concerns as quickly as possible and thank you for your input, patience and understanding as we undertake what is a truly a monumental task.

Right now, you are probably feeling a bit bombarded — by feelings of disappointment, fear and uncertainty; by concern for the safety of yourselves and those you love; and by an overload of information. In the coming days, you can expect to hear from Ohio University on a daily basis and to receive detailed information about the transition to online learning, academic support services, student employment, and all the resources that will continue to be available to you.

We ask that you carefully monitor your Ohio University email for important information and notices, your college/campus/department websites for additional information, and the University’s coronavirus website, which is being updated regularly. As much as we would like to create a one-stop shop for all information, that is difficult given the unique needs of each our students. If you have additional questions that are not answered on the University’s coronavirus website or its FAQ section, please email them to coronavirus@ohio.edu or direct message them to Ohio University’s Facebook accountor Twitter account. 

As the situation continues to rapidly evolve, here are some updates we can share with you today:

If you reside in student housing on the Athens Campus, you should have received an email earlier today from Housing and Residence Life providing you detailed move-out instructions, including an assigned date and time for your move-out. If you did not receive that email, please contact Housing and Residence Life at housing@ohio.edu or visit https://www.ohio.edu/housing/coronavirus. Residence hall move-out will start Tuesday, March 17, and continue through Sunday, March 22.

We have fielded many questions regarding reimbursement of housing and dining fees. For students who reside on the Athens Campus and/or have a dining plan, a process for prorated reimbursements is being developed and will be shared as soon as possible.

Whether you are moving out of your residence hall or living off campus in any of our communities, please be mindful of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on how best to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands often, particularly after touching things (e.g., move-out carts, handrails, door handles) that are touched by many others. For students who are remaining in Athens, please be aware of this message from Athens Mayor Steve Patterson, Athens City-County Health Commissioner Dr. James Gaskell and Ohio University President M. Duane Nellisregarding assemblies of 50 or more people.

Consistent with directives from the Governor of the State of Ohio to limit the size of groups that gather for events, all events on our campuses have been canceled through at least April 30, 2020.

Our faculty and staff are making the same transition to remote work as our students, and we are restricting access to some of our facilities to protect the safety of our communities. But we want to reassure you that we will continue to provide student support services and resources to all our students that are designed to ensure your academic success and personal wellbeing. Here is a list of some of those resources offered by the Division of Student Affairs; we will continue to share additional resources throughout the week:

• For students who have received approval from Housing and Residence Life to remain on campus, Culinary Services is offering an opt-in, modified meal plan. Details are available at https://www.ohio.edu/food/coronavirus.
• Counseling and Psychological Services is available to support all Ohio University students and can be reached at any time by calling 740-593-1616 (press 1 if you are calling after hours to be connected to a counselor). Details are available at https://www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/counseling/cps-coronavirus.
• The Cats’ Cupboard food pantry on the fifth floor of Baker University Center will be open to students during modified hours for Baker University Center: Mondays through Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Survivor Advocacy Program will continue to be accessible by calling 740-597-(SAFE). After-hours resources will continue to operate. Details can be found at https://www.ohio.edu/survivor/coronavirus.
• The Career and Leadership Development Center will continue to conduct coaching services by phone. Details are available at https://www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/career-and-leadership/coronavirus.

Over the course of its 216-year history, the Ohio University community has withstood many challenges. We will face the current challenge together and, in the process, become a better, stronger, and more connected community. 

There is something magical about Ohio University no matter when or where you experience it. It is the people – students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends – whose commitment to growth in knowledge, wisdom, love and each other is unwavering. Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and press on, Bobcats.