ObieSafe Update: Policies and Protocols Spring 2023

As the semester comes to a close, we would like to thank you for your ongoing commitment in keeping our community safe and healthy. Many of us are preparing to travel and to gather with loved ones for the holiday season, and we want to remind all of us to remain vigilant in prioritizing your health and well-being by applying a prudent combination of protocols. The following guidelines will be in place during winter term and upon return to campus for the spring semester. If you haven’t already, we strongly encourage you to get your flu shot and COVID-19 bivalent booster during the winter break. 

Masks

• Masks will not be required indoors for students, staff, and faculty as we return from the winter break. However we strongly recommend and encourage the use of masks.  Doing this is intended to provide self-agency to everyone as we work to reduce the spread of infections.
• While we do not require masks, please comply if and when requested to wear a mask by another member of the Oberlin community with whom you are interacting.
• Oberlin will monitor public health COVID alerts. When public health departments determine that Lorain County is at the highest risk level for COVID, ObieSafe will alert the campus community and may alter masking protocols.

Testing

• During winter break, set time aside to receive your COVID-19 bivalent booster. We strongly recommend you take the COVID-19 bivalent booster for additional protection against COVID-19. 
• Community-wide testing will not be available. For people with symptoms, or those who believe they were exposed, rapid and PCR testing will be available at Student Health Services.
• Please call Student Health Services at (440) 775-8180 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for a rapid test.
• After hours and on weekends, please call Campus Safety at (440) 775-8444 to pick up a self-administering test kit.

Housing

• Roommates who test positive will isolate together.
• If only one roommate tests positive, healthy roommates should wear a mask and maintain social distance as much as possible.
• Students (such as those who are immune-compromised) who have a relevant accommodation through the Office for Disability and Access whose roommate tests positive will be considered for temporary housing if it is available.

Quarantine, Isolation, and Meals

• Oberlin College follows guidance from the CDC and Lorain County Public Health.
• Students may complete isolation in their rooms five days after symptoms surface, if symptoms resolve, and if no fever is present for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Students should continue to wear a mask around others.
• Positive test results must be reported to ObieSafe by emailing obiesafe@oberlin.edu.
• While in isolation, students should always wear a mask in the presence of others, and should not attend classes, participate in athletic practices or events, or other co-curricular activities. 
• Students who live on campus and are too ill to pick up their own meals may text Dining Services at (440) 577-5304 to arrange for a meal to be delivered.

If you have any questions, please send an email to obiesafe@oberlin.edu.

We hope you enjoy your winter break and look forward to seeing you back on campus.

Stay Well!