To: OSU Faculty and Staff
From: Edward Feser, Provost and Executive Vice President
February 17, 2020
OSU Faculty and Staff,
While U.S. officials continue to believe that the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak represents a low risk to the U.S. public, the university is monitoring the global health situation closely and working with local public health care experts to provide prevention response, information and resources.
We also acknowledge that this situation can be unsettling for members of our community who have family and friends living in China or elsewhere.
As members of the OSU community, I ask you to join me in sharing support for our students and colleagues who are experiencing concern about the virus and the well-being of their friends, families and home communities affected by this illness. For example, many at OSU and INTO OSU have engaged personally and utilized social media and video messages to share our support.
A university response working group continues to monitor on a daily basis developments related to the virus and advise OSU leaders. The working group’s efforts are informed by an additional four sub-groups addressing associated issues of health care, communications, federal policy developments and international enrollment activities.
If you have concerns about the coronavirus or your personal wellness, please be aware of these important resources:
- Seek wellness and prevention information from your personal health care provider or by reaching out to OSU Student Health Services or by calling the health center’s Nurse Advice Line at 541-737-2724.
- Gather valuable virus, general health and wellness and prevention information from the Benton County Health Department, your local county health department, or the Oregon Health Authority.
- Contact OSU’s Office of International Affairs for support, services or information about global travel at this time.
- Remember, if you or others around you are experiencing illness, immediately contact a personal health care provider.
We will continue to provide updates related to the coronavirus. In the interim, please be mindful of your own wellness and supportive of others in the OSU community, who may be more directly impacted by the virus situation.
Sincerely,
Edward Feser
Provost and Executive Vice President