To: OSU faculty and staff
From: Dan Larson, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator
August 24, 2020
Dear OSU Faculty and Staff,
I am writing to provide attention to important updates to OSU’s COVID-19 safety policies.
We appreciate the OSU community’s commitment to adhering to the university’s important public health measures regarding face coverings. With Gov. Kate Brown’s August issuance of statewide mask, face covering, and face shield guidance, OSU has updated its policy to align with the state of Oregon’s requirements and limited exceptions. Moving forward, requests from individuals to not comply with the university’s policy or otherwise be exempted will require approval through our existing disability accommodation processes. Employees who seek an exemption based on a disability can direct their accommodation request through the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Students may contact Disability Access Services for an exemption request for accommodation based on disability. Requests not based on a disability may directed to the OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator at [email protected].
In addition, please be aware that in some instances, OSU’s Face Covering Policy may be more restrictive than state of Oregon guidance.
Statewide mandates on gatherings and social get togethers have also been updated by the governor and OSU has updated its policy to align and supplement these requirements.
Additionally, as we have seen across the nation, social get-togethers continue to take place without the necessary precautions of keeping physical distance. Large crowds gathering in spaces not suited for adequate physical distancing may create greater risk to the university and local communities.
With that risk in mind, OSU’s Physical Distancing Policy now provides requirements for students on gatherings and social get-togethers, on and off campus. Until further notice, and enforceable through the Code of Student Conduct, students must restrict their attendance at and hosting of social get togethers to 10 people or fewer, indoor and outdoor, while residing or participating in an activity in the state of Oregon, regardless of whether the get together is related to University business or on University property, unless a more restrictive law or Oregon Health Authority guidance applies. While not accountable to the Student Code of Conduct, we ask OSU faculty and staff also to observe the university guideline prohibiting indoor and outdoor social gatherings to no more than 10 people.
Please familiarize yourself with both updated policies. Through continued adherence to Gov. Kate Brown’s Executive Orders, OHA Guidelines and OSU policy and the OSU Resumption Plan, we will continue to seek to minimize the risk and spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Thank you,
Dan Larson
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator