Communications about Coronavirus

Students

Dear OSU Students,

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:

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

Oregon State University students,

You likely are aware of increased media reports about a new coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. We are closely monitoring this evolving situation and want to assure you that currently risk to the OSU community is considered low.

We are writing to provide you information so you are aware of coronavirus symptoms and how to seek medical attention if needed.

The coronavirus now appears to be spreading from person to person, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but the level of contagiousness has not yet been determined. It can take up to two weeks to develop symptoms of the virus, which include fever with a cough and/or shortness of breath. If you have concerns about your health due to possible exposure to the virus or following recent travel to China, please call the Student Health Services Nurse Advice Line at 541-737-2724. It is best to call in advance of visiting the student health center or external care providers, so precautions can be taken to minimize exposure to others.

The best preventative steps for any communicable disease include simple but important practices as part of your daily routine, especially during flu season:

  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water.
  • Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with another person’s saliva, whether in your own living or social environments.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
  • Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to support a healthy immune system.

We also want to update you on federal travel advisories regarding China and provide you information on OSU’s international travel policy.

China is currently designated a high-risk travel destination. The U.S. Department of State has issued an advisory to reconsider travel to China, and the CDC has issued an advisory to avoid nonessential travel to the country. As a result, and in accordance with the OSU International Travel Policy, any university-sponsored travel to China at this time requires a petition process. Undergraduate student travel requires approval by the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, and graduate student travel requires approval by a college dean. Please contact Samuel Gras, international health and safety coordinator, for information about the petition process and any travel-related questions.

We will continue to actively monitor this situation and advise you to visit the CDC website for the most current information on the coronavirus. 

We thank you for your attention to your personal wellness and efforts to keep OSU community members safe.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson
Vice Provost
Student Affairs

Dear OSU students,

Oregon State University continues to actively monitor the coronavirus COVID-19 global health situation, and we also are developing university contingency plans should a global pandemic or a widespread outbreak occur in the U.S. Our aim is to ensure the well-being of the university community and to enable the continuation of OSU teaching, research, outreach, student services and other activities.

We share this news not to create concern – there are still no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oregon – but to indicate that prudent and significant university-wide planning is underway. We will share more information on this contingency planning effort over the next week.

To facilitate the on-going sharing of information about the virus, we have added a link on the OSU home page to a new page that provides detailed and up-to-date coronavirus information; links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; updates on the latest federal travel restrictions; and previous university communications about the virus and other information.

At the present time, restrictions apply for travel to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea. However, because this is a rapidly developing situation – and because U.S. officials believe the potential public health threat posed by the coronavirus is high – it is important to check OSU’s page regularly, as well as advisories and warnings from the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prior to finalizing travel plans and undertaking travel.

OSU also has established a dedicated non-emergency information line within Student Health Services to assist faculty, staff and students engaged in international and domestic travel and who may have coronavirus health concerns related to their returning to Oregon. In non-emergency cases, please e-mail: [email protected] or call 541-737-9931 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time, to receive support from a trained staff member. In the case of a medical emergency, call 911 or a nearby emergency medical facility.

Whether traveling in the U.S., abroad or staying home over spring break, the best preventive measures for any communicable disease continue to be the practices you undertake as part of your daily routine, especially during flu season:

  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water or use a hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with another person’s saliva, whether in your own living or social environments.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
  • Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to support a healthy immune system.

We also appreciate that this situation can be challenging for many members of our community who have family and friends in China and other countries more directly affected by the outbreak. Situations like these often involve a degree of fear and uncertainty, which means we must come together as a community to offer support those affected by the virus, and for those affected by actions such as travel bans. It is important that fear never be turned toward individuals or groups based on country of origin, appearance or other factors. We have a special responsibility to those who are far from home, who are concerned for loved ones who may be at risk, and who may be the least likely to have a local network of support. It is moments such as these in which our OSU community is called to support each and every member of the university.

Please remain mindful and supportive of members of the OSU community who may be more directly affected by the coronavirus situation. Thank you for your continued work to keep the OSU community safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

 

Dan Larson
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Oregon State University students,

As you likely know, the U.S. government implemented on Sunday night more stringent travel restrictions for individuals entering the United States from China due to the coronavirus.

Even with such measures, U.S. officials state that this novel coronavirus represents a low risk to the public in the U.S.

I am writing to share what the university is doing to monitor matters associated with the coronavirus, as well as support wellness among community members, and provide valuable information.

As members of the community, students’ greatest contribution at this time is to remain factually informed about the virus, mindful of the low level of risk in the U.S. associated with this virus, and encourage friends and fellow students to engage in personal good health practices.

OSU has formed a steering committee that is responsible for monitoring relevant coronavirus developments locally, within the U.S. and globally. The steering committee is made up of representatives from our Corvallis and OSU-Cascades campuses, will be in close coordination with the Benton County Health Department, and will involve others working in student health services, student affairs, international affairs, INTO OSU and other departments. This group will be assisted by OSU committees related to health care, communications, and federal policy and developments. These committees will meet daily – or as required – to recommend any OSU procedures, services and communications related to the coronavirus.

Until then, we encourage everyone to do the following:

  • Understand that federal health officials continue to believe that coronavirus represents a low risk to the public in the U.S.;
  • Encourage personal wellness habits shared in this link;
  • Encourage those concerned about their own wellness or symptoms of sickness to contact their personal health care provider or the Student Health Services Nurse Advice Line at 541-737-2724;
  • Understand that OSU is monitoring this matter closely, and will communicate to the university community as immediately as possible next steps, valuable wellness information, and other services available.

Sincerely,

 

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Faculty and Staff

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:

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

Oregon State University faculty and staff,

You likely are aware of increased media reports about a new coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. We are closely monitoring this evolving situation and want to assure you that currently risk to the OSU community is considered low.

We are writing to provide you information so you are aware of coronavirus symptoms and how to seek medical attention if needed.

The coronavirus now appears to be spreading from person to person, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but the level of contagiousness has not yet been determined. It can take up to two weeks to develop symptoms of the virus, which include fever with a cough and/or shortness of breath. If you have concerns about your health due to possible exposure to the virus or following recent travel to China, please contact your primary health care provider. If you visit your care provider, a clinic or emergency care center, it is best to call in advance of visiting a care provider so precautions can be taken to minimize exposure to others.

The best preventative steps for any communicable disease include simple but important practices as part of your daily routine, especially during flu season:

  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water.
  • Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with another person’s saliva, whether in your own living or social environments.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
  • Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to support a healthy immune system.

We also want to update you on federal travel advisories regarding China and provide you information on OSU’s international travel policy.

China is currently designated a high-risk travel destination. The U.S. Department of State has issued an advisory to reconsider travel to China, and the CDC has issued an advisory to avoid nonessential travel to the country. As a result, and in accordance with the OSU International Travel Policy, any university-sponsored travel to China at this time requires a petition process. Faculty/staff travel requires approval by a senior administrator. Undergraduate student travel requires approval by the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, and graduate student travel requires approval by a college dean. Please contact Samuel Gras, international health and safety coordinator, for information about the petition process and any travel-related questions. 

We will continue to actively monitor this situation and advise you to visit the CDC website for the most current information on the coronavirus. 

We thank you for your attention to your personal wellness and efforts to keep OSU community members safe. 

Sincerely,

Susan Capalbo
Senior Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs

Cathy Hasenpflug
Chief Human Resources Officer

                                                           

 

OSU faculty and staff,

As you likely know, the U.S. government implemented on Sunday night more stringent travel restrictions for individuals entering the United States from China.

Even with such measures, U.S. officials state that this novel coronavirus represents a low risk to the public in the U.S.

I am writing to share with you what the university is doing to monitor matters associated with the coronavirus, as well as support wellness among community members, and provide valuable information.

As a campus community, our greatest contribution at this time is to remain factually informed about the virus, mindful of the low level of risk in the U.S. associated with this virus, and encourage friends, family, co-workers and students to engage in personal good health practices.

OSU has formed a steering committee that is responsible for monitoring relevant coronavirus developments locally, within the U.S. and globally. The steering committee is made up of representatives from our Corvallis and OSU-Cascades campuses, will be in close coordination with Benton County Health Department, and will involve others working in student health services, student affairs, international affairs, INTO OSU and other departments. This group will be assisted by three OSU committees related to health care, communications, and federal policy and developments. These three committees will meet daily – or as required – to recommend any OSU procedures, services and communications related to the virus.

Our immediate next steps are to understand more about federal requirements from county health officials and the Oregon Health Authority.

Until then, we ask that you share this overview of what OSU is doing with others and encourage others to do the following:

  • Understand that federal health officials continue to believe that coronavirus represents a low risk to the public in the U.S.;
  • Encourage personal wellness habits shared in this link;
  • Encourage those concerned about their own wellness or symptoms of sickness to contact their personal health care provider or the Student Health Center on the Corvallis campus;
  • Understand that OSU is monitoring this matter closely, and will communicate to the university community as immediately as possible next steps, valuable wellness information, and other services available.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Oregon State University

 

OSU faculty and staff,

Oregon State University continues to actively monitor the coronavirus COVID-19 global health situation, and we also are developing university contingency plans should a global pandemic or a widespread outbreak occur in the U.S. Our aim is to ensure the well-being of the university community and to enable the continuation of OSU teaching, research, outreach, student services and other activities.

We share this news not to create concern – there are still no confirmed coronavirus cases in Oregon – but to indicate that prudent and significant university-wide planning is underway. We will share more information on this contingency planning effort over the next week.

To facilitate the on-going sharing of information about the virus, we have added a link on the OSU home page to a new page that provides detailed and up-to-date coronavirus information; links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; updates on the latest federal travel restrictions; and previous university communications about the virus and other information.

At the present time, restrictions apply for travel to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea. However, because this is a rapidly developing situation – and because U.S. officials believe the potential public health threat posed by the coronavirus is high – it is important to check OSU’s page regularly, as well as advisories and warnings from the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prior to finalizing travel plans and undertaking travel.

OSU also has established a dedicated non-emergency information line within Student Health Services to assist faculty, staff and students engaged in international and domestic travel and who may have coronavirus health concerns related to their returning to Oregon. In non-emergency cases, please e-mail: [email protected] or call 541-737-9931 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time, to receive support from a trained staff member. In the case of a medical emergency, call 911 or a nearby emergency medical facility.

Whether traveling in the U.S., abroad or staying home over spring break, the best preventive measures for any communicable disease continue to be the practices you undertake as part of your daily routine, especially during flu season:

  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water or use a hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with another person’s saliva, whether in your own living or social environments.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
  • Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to support a healthy immune system.

Please remain mindful and supportive of members of the OSU community who may be more directly affected by the coronavirus situation. Thank you for your continued work to keep the OSU community safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

 

Edward Feser
Provost and Executive Vice President

Parents and Families

Dear Oregon State University parents and families,

As you likely know, the U.S. government implemented on Sunday night more stringent travel restrictions for individuals entering the United States from China due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Student safety and wellbeing is a priority for Oregon State University.  As such, we are closely monitoring the public health situation associated with this virus. While we are not aware of any known infectious cases in Oregon – and while U.S. officials state that the coronavirus represents a low risk to the public in the U.S. – we are taking this matter seriously. 

We are writing to share that OSU is engaged proactively by working closely with local health care officials, and providing students and university employees with virus updates and wellness guidance.  

We encourage you to stay informed about this this public health matter by visiting the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and by visiting our Health Alertpage on the OSU Student Health Services website. 

We also encourage you to talk with your student about ways they can engage in good personal health practices. To assist you, answers to frequently asked questions, are available here.  

OSU will continue to monitor this matter closely, and will communicate to the OSU community any next steps by the university, as well as provide valuable wellness information and updates on services that are available.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Oregon State University

Oregon State University parents and families,

Oregon State University continues to actively monitor the coronavirus global health situation, and we also are developing university contingency plans should a global pandemic or a widespread outbreak occur in the U.S. Our aim is to ensure the well-being of the university community and to enable the continuation of OSU teaching, research, outreach, student services and other activities.

We share this news not to create concern – there are still no reported COVID-19 cases in Oregon – but to indicate that prudent and significant university-wide planning is underway. We will share more information on this contingency planning effort over the next week.

To facilitate the on-going sharing of information about the virus, we have added a link on the OSU home page to a new page that provides detailed and up-to-date coronavirus information; links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; updates on the latest university and federal travel restrictions; and previous university communications about the virus and other information.

At the present time, restrictions apply for travel to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea. However, because this is a rapidly developing situation – and because U.S. officials believe the potential public health threat posed by the coronavirus is high – it is important to check OSU’s page regularly, as well as advisories and warnings from the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prior to finalizing travel plans and undertaking travel.

OSU also has established a dedicated non-emergency information line within Student Health Services to assist all OSU students engaged in international and domestic travel and who may incur novel coronavirus health and travel concerns related to their returning to Oregon. In non-emergency cases, students may e-mail: [email protected] or call 541-737-9931 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, to receive support from a trained staff member. In the case of a medical emergency, students should call 911 or visit a nearby emergency medical facility.

Whether traveling in the U.S., abroad or staying home over spring break, the best preventive measures for our students for any communicable disease continue to be the practices they undertake as part of their daily routine, especially during flu season:

  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water or use a hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with another person’s saliva, whether in your own living or social environments.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
  • Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to support a healthy immune system.

The university will continue to monitor this global health situation closely and provide updates to the OSU community and families of students regarding wellness, travel and other resources. 

Sincerely,

 

Dan Larson
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

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