ObieSafe Weekly: September 29, 2021

Fireside chat: We must learn to live with COVID and be safe

Earlier this week, President Carmen Twillie Ambar sent a message welcoming Obies back to campus. In the message, President Ambar explains why the campus must go above and beyond CDC guidelines during the first few weeks of classes. Watch the fireside chat video. 

Vaccination and testing statistics as of September 27

The campus vaccination rate as of September 27 is 88.9%. A total of 3,591 vaccine cards have been uploaded and approved for the fall semester campus population. ​​A breakout by students, faculty, and staff is on the vaccination statistics and updates page.

The cumulative total of fall 2021 tests processed through September 26:

Testing Results through 9/26

Tests administered	1,252
Positive tests	5
% Positive	0.40%

The results can be found on the campus testing statistics page.

Walk-in COVID testing at Hales Gym

All Oberlin students, faculty, and staff are required to be tested for COVID-19 at the start of the fall 2021 semester. Testing is available at Hales Gym on a walk-in basis through October 6. The test is a self-administered PCR test, and unlike the past, there is no need to schedule an appointment. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on most dates—view the full schedule here. To help you plan your visit and avoid a line, check the live webcam feed. Anyone who has accessibility issues with the webcam can text or call (440) 308-6193 or send a message to obiesafe@oberlin.edu.

Masks required indoors and outdoors

Beginning September 27 and lasting until October 18:

• Masks are required indoors and outdoors.
• The only time you may take off your mask is when you are in your room alone or with your roommate.
• Masks may be removed while eating outdoors or alone in your room with your roommate.
• Conservatory students and athletes will follow COVID policies specific to their activities.

The outdoor mask requirement may be extended depending on the rate of infection identified in the arrival period. 

Read the fall 2021 ObieSafe policies.

Faculty and guest speaker masks

Faculty or class speakers/guests must wear their masks during any presentation from October 4  through October 17. After that time,  faculty or class speakers and guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to remove their mask during class as long as they are 6 feet away from students in class while they're speaking. If faculty are working with a small group or individual students, masks should be worn.

All dining is grab-and-go between September 27 and October 18

Obies are reminded that between September 27 and October 18, all dining is grab-and-go. (The grab-and-go meal requirement may be extended depending upon the rate of infection identified in the arrival period.) Students may dine outdoors with others. When consuming a meal indoors, students should eat in their rooms. Campus Dining Services and our AVI Fresh dining partners emphasize that distancing is still important for those who are unvaccinated. As schedules permit, you might consider visiting dining halls and retail outlets at off-peak times. For example, consider dining at 11 a.m. for lunch, before the noon lunch rush. Visit the AVI website for online menus and dining hours. For questions, comments, or suggestions, text a manager at 440-577-5304. Managers will respond quickly, often within 10 minutes or less. 

Faculty and staff vaccination deadline and exemption form

All faculty and staff employed at Oberlin College must be vaccinated for COVID-19. Vaccinations must be fully completed (all required doses) and uploaded to the Human Resources portal by no later than Monday, November 1, 2021. Faculty and staff who wish to request a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement must fill out a COVID-19 Immunization Exemption Request form. The exemption process is interactive, and employees may receive requests for additional information or additional clarification on their request. If you have any questions, please contact human.resources@oberlin.edu.

Community auditing classes

Community members are permitted to audit classes if they are fully vaccinated. Community members must show the faculty member the vaccine card at the start of the first class to verify vaccination status.

Instructions to upload your vaccination card

View the vaccine updates page for the process to submit your vaccine documentation.

Don’t forget to get your flu shot

Students are required to get an influenza vaccine prior to arriving on campus.

• Students who are currently on campus can contact Student Health to schedule a vaccine when it becomes available (440) 775-8180 or health@oberlin.edu.
• Students arriving from countries that do not offer the influenza vaccine will be able to receive a vaccine through Student Health when it becomes available (440) 775-8180 or health@oberlin.edu.
• Students who would like to request an influenza vaccination exemption should submit documentation to Student Health.

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Get in touch with the ObieSafe team

Have something to share in a future issue of ObieSafe Weekly? Email obiesafe@oberlin.edu with story ideas or information you’d like to have considered for publication.

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