ObieSafe: Spring 2022 FAQ

Is testing available for students, faculty and staff on campus?

Yes. Testing will continue at Hales Gym for the remainder of the spring term, regardless of COVID-19 rates. Symptomatic testing will continue 7 days a week during the published hours until June 3. Beginning April 21, asymptomatic testing will be conducted Mondays through Fridays during published hours until the same date.

If you have symptoms, you should make your arrangements for a symptomatic test appointment by texting 440-308-6193. In your text, please include:

• your name,
• your T-Number, and
• whether you are a student, faculty, staff, or vendor.

Please note, the phone is only monitored during testing hours.

Do unvaccinated persons have to test regularly at Oberlin? 

Yes. Unvaccinated persons are required to test on a weekly basis at Hales. There are established hours for them to do so – see the published hours.

Do Oberlin’s student-athletes have to participate in surveillance testing?

No. The College’s requirement for student athletes was revised effective March 28, 2022. Asymptomatic student athletes and athletic staff no longer need to test weekly. The athletics training staff is available to answer any questions from student athletes, coaches, or parents.

What if I test positive for COVID? What should I do?

Per the guidance of Lorain County Public Health, the Ohio Department of Health, and the CDC, we have adopted the following isolation and quarantine protocols. The protocols place the responsibility for good judgment and compliance on the individual who has tested positive. Students are encouraged to contact Student Health Services via health@oberlin.edu or (440) 775-8180 with any questions or to receive medical advice. Faculty and staff are encouraged to consult with their medical provider.

If you test positive for COVID-19:

• Isolate for five (5) days regardless of symptoms or vaccination status.

• If you are a student, you should contact obiesaferesults@oberlin.edu immediately. You will receive key information about dining services and other forms of campus support.

• If you are a faculty or staff member, you should contact obiesafe@oberlin.edu to report your situation.

• If after five (5) days you do not have a fever, and other symptoms, and are getting better, you can end isolation and resume activities. Wear a well-fitting mask for the next five (5) days and make every effort to avoid persons who may have underlying health issues which make them more vulnerable to the virus.

If you still have a fever or other symptoms after five (5) days, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. If you live on campus and still have any symptoms, you can contact Student Health Service for assistance evaluating whether you need to extend your isolation. When your isolation ends, wear a mask for the next five days and make every effort to avoid persons who may have underlying health issues which make them more vulnerable to the virus.

• The five (5) days after you have been isolated are as important as your isolation period. Be vigilant about wearing a well-fitting mask and avoiding any classmates or coworkers who may have underlying health issues which make them more vulnerable to the virus.

What if I was exposed to someone who has COVID? What if they are my roommate?

If you are UP TO DATE on your COVID-19 vaccination:
According to the CDC, “up to date” on your vaccination means you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible. If you are up to date on your vaccination, your situation related to any exposure depends on how and when you spent time with the person who has COVID.

• If you share a sleeping space with the person who has COVID, you are encouraged to contact Student Health Services. They will review your situation with you, provide you with medical advice and discuss alternative housing for your roommate’s isolation dates, if you are eligible for alternative housing.

• If you do not share a sleeping space and your vaccinations are up to date, the CDC does not recommend that you quarantine because of a close contact, unless you are symptomatic.

• Be very diligent and intentional about wearing your mask whenever you are around other people for 10 days.

• If you have or develop symptoms, you will need to request a symptomatic test appointment for a time during the published hours by texting 440-308-6193. In your text, please include your name, your T-Number and whether you are a student, faculty, staff or vendor.

If you are NOT UP TO DATE on your COVID-19 vaccination:
If you have received an exemption from Oberlin’s vaccine requirements or your vaccinations are not up to date (no booster, vaccine dates are too recent), your situation related to any exposure will be different than for a person who is up to date on their vaccinations.

• If you share a sleeping space with the person who has COVID, you are encouraged to contact Student Health Services. They will review your situation with you, provide you with medical advice and discuss alternative housing for your roommate’s isolation dates, if you are eligible for alternative housing.

• You will need to quarantine for five (5) days. If after five (5) days you do not have a fever, and other symptoms are getting better, you can end quarantine and resume activities. Wear a well-fitting mask for the next five (5) days and make every effort to avoid persons who may have underlying health issues which make them more vulnerable to the virus.

• If you have or develop symptoms, you will need to request a symptomatic test appointment for a time during the published hours by texting 440-308-6193. In your text, please include your name, your T-Number and whether you are a student, faculty, staff or vendor.

Can I travel if I test positive for COVID?

Students who test positive need to isolate themselves on campus. Faculty and staff need to remain away from campus and isolate. Travel should not occur until you have completed five (5) days of isolation, no longer have a fever, and have improving symptoms.

If you have received an exemption from Oberlin’s vaccine requirements or your vaccinations are not up to date (no booster, vaccine dates are too recent), you will need to quarantine for five (5) days. If after five (5) days you do not have a fever, and other symptoms are getting better, you can end quarantine and resume activities. Wear a well-fitting mask for the next five (5) days and make every effort to avoid persons who may have underlying health issues which make them more vulnerable to the virus.

What is the current COVID-19 booster requirement?

All students, faculty, and staff are required to obtain COVID-19 booster shots. This requirement also applies to high school students who are taking classes at Oberlin.

How do students, faculty, and staff submit their booster vaccination cards?

• Students: upload your vaccine card to the Student Health Portal.
• Faculty and staff: upload your vaccine cards through the Human Resources portal.
• High school students taking classes at Oberlin: upload your vaccine card to the Student Health Portal.

Does the booster requirement include the union groups?

Yes. The college worked closely with bargaining units to implement this requirement.

What if I am not eligible for a booster shot yet?

If you are not eligible for the booster shot because your last vaccination was too recent per current CDC eligibility guidance. You need to submit a COVID 19 Vaccination Exemption Form prior to the established deadline.

• Student COVID-19 Immunization Exemption Request
• Faculty/Staff COVID-19 Immunization Exemption Request 

Generally, an exemption request due to ineligibility will be granted if you provide the necessary documentation with the form. In these cases, students, faculty and staff are expected to receive the booster shot as soon as they are eligible – and to upload their vaccination card immediately.

I would like to request an exemption from the vaccination or booster requirement. What should I do?

• If you were approved for a COVID vaccination exemption based on a medical, religious or international vaccination reason in fall 2021, you do not need to request an additional exemption for the booster.
• If you as a student were not enrolled in fall 2021 classes but will be attending classes in spring 2022, you may request a medical or religious exemption by submitting this form: Student COVID-19 Immunization Exemption Request.
• Faculty and staff who wish to request a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination or booster requirements must fill out a Faculty/Staff COVID-19 Immunization Exemption Request.

If I initially received a vaccine outside the U.S. other than Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J, do I need to get a booster? Is it safe for me to get a booster in the U.S.?

If you are a student, please consult with Student Health Services. If you are a faculty or staff, please consult with your medical provider.

If faculty require different classroom facilities to accommodate remote and in-person instruction, with whom should they make such arrangements?

If at all possible, remote classes should be taught via Zoom from the instructor’s office or home. If needed, submit a request for classroom changes or AV support. Faculty in the conservatory should contact Conservatory Concert Production (conpro@oberlin.edu) or Michael Straus with questions regarding scheduling, equipment for remote lessons or ensemble coaching, or more.

What about spring break? Will there be restrictions?

Students, faculty, and staff who are traveling are encouraged to maintain the personal habits which can help them avoid COVID-19 while on spring break.

During spring break, symptomatic testing will continue at Hales Gym during published hours. Due to the low number of students remaining on campus, asymptomatic testing will not be offered April 4 through April 8. However, during break, students, faculty, and staff may still pick up a home test kit at the Campus Safety Office.

What about after spring break?

Asymptomatic testing will resume Saturday, April 9, during currently published hours. Any student who traveled during the break and wants to get a PCR test will be able to do so on a walk-in basis during published hours. Arrival testing will not be required. The CDC recommendation is to test 5 days after potential exposure should you feel you have been exposed.

What dining options are available to students?

Effective Monday, March 7, campus dining (AVI) will offer students a hybrid dining service.

• Dine-in will be available at all locations.
• Masks are required except when you are actually eating or drinking.
• There will be physical distancing between tables, and the number of students permitted into each location may be limited.
• Grab-and-go options will continue to be offered.

Also, catering has been expanded and groups (including registered student organizations) are permitted to have a meal together indoors, as long as 6 feet of distance is maintained between each person and the room is large enough to accommodate such distance.

Will concerts and athletics events be allowed to have audiences?

Yes. Audiences and spectators are permitted at events. Masks are required indoors.

Will campus facilities (AMAM, libraries, etc.) be open to visitors?

Yes. The campus is open to visitors. We do, however, strongly encourage event sponsors to clearly communicate to their visitors the current campus protocols —including those for admissions events, recitals and performances, and more.

As a reminder, proof of vaccination is required for visitors who wish to engage in certain activities (e.g., prospective students auditioning in certain disciplinary areas in the conservatory). Scheduled visitors for whom a vaccination requirement is in effect will receive more information as appropriate.

Will Shanks Wellness Center and Philips Gym be open?

Effective March 28, family and community members are welcome at Shanks Wellness Center and Philips Gym. Also on March 28, all athletic and recreational facilities are mask-optional facilities.

Will the libraries be open?

Yes. The libraries will remain open. Library resources will also be available remotely. Please see the libraries website for hours and remote services.

What’s happening with intercollegiate athletics?

It is the institutional goal to play and compete. Additional protocols may be put into place to provide teams with the best opportunities for competition.

Effective March 28, the College no longer requires masks in athletic and recreational facilities and vaccinated student athletes and athletic staff are not required to participate in weekly testing.

Will club sports, intramurals, and YeoFit occur? 

Yes. We will look to resume club sports and intramural activities this spring. If a club sport or student organization wishes to travel in spring 2022, the organization will need to submit a request form through the Office of Student Engagement – formerly Student Activities. You can contact Thom Julian or Tina Zwegat for more information.

Is there any restriction on college-sponsored travel?

If a club sport or student organization wishes to travel in spring 2022, the organization will need to submit a request form through the Office of Student Engagement – formerly Student Activities. You can contact Thom Julian or Tina Zwegat for more information. 

Will I still be able to participate in study away this spring?

Spring study away is proceeding as planned, with the acknowledgement that many non-Oberlin program partners are performing their own risk assessments, and it is likely that some programs may be canceled.

Students and their families should carefully consider their own risk tolerance, and ensure that their program has appropriate contingency plans in place. Students are also advised to be sure their travel insurance covers COVID-related matters.

Are students, faculty, and staff participating in Community-Based Learning courses or community engagement projects off campus permitted to continue these activities? 

At this time, the college does not plan to restrict students’ work with local and regional community organizations. Students are still expected to maintain campus guidelines for masking, social distancing, and vaccinations and follow state and local public health guidelines during any off-campus engagement opportunities. If anything has changed with respect to an organization’s willingness to have students, faculty, or staff onsite in their facilities, Bonner Center staff would be happy to strategize with you about shifting projects to a remote format, if that’s possible and desirable to you and your collaborators. For questions about the Community Music School, please contact Louise Zeitlin (Director) or the Conservatory Dean’s Office.

Will there be programming on campus for students?

Yes! However, in-person programming may be continuously adjusted to ensure that activities are safe for all involved. Events will be advertised via the Campus Digest and the Oberlin Events Calendar.

Is mask-wearing required?

Yes. The college requires that both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, staff, faculty, and visitors wear masks indoors unless in their residence or office with the door closed. Masks do not need to be worn by roommates/housemates but should be worn when others enter the space. Masks are not required outdoors for vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals, including visitors. 

Vaccinated faculty or guest speakers may remove their masks when speaking to a class or group as long as they maintain six feet of distance from the class/audience. Masks must be worn prior to and immediately upon completion of the presentation. Unvaccinated faculty or guest speakers are asked to remain masked while presenting. 

Additionally, faculty and students may remove masks in certain settings while engaged in certain pre-approved activities related to the academic program (e.g., playing a wind instrument or singing), provided they reposition their mask whenever practicable. (For more information on masking and distancing policies in the conservatory, please refer to the conservatory guidelines.)

What are the social distancing requirements?

We strongly encourage six feet of social distance whenever feasible especially when eating or unmasked for any valid reason. We have not, however, reintroduced strict distancing mandates.

May students still host friends in residential spaces? 

Please contact the Office of Residential Education via resed@oberlin.edu or (440) 775-8472 for the latest requirements for guests.

Will Residential Education’s Village Housing Party Registration process continue?

No. The Village Housing Party Registration process will be suspended until these gatherings can occur safely. 

If I have a roommate, do we need to wear masks in our room?

You do not need to wear a mask when you are alone with your roommate(s) in your assigned space. If a guest comes in, all those in attendance must wear masks.

If I see a violation of ObieSafe policies and/or the Community Agreement, should I report it, and if so, how do I file a report?

Faculty, staff, and students who wish to issue comments regarding instances where they believe members of the campus community are/were not following the college’s ObieSafe Protocols should use the ObieSafe Non-Compliance Comment Form to document concerns.

If a student is reported to have violated ObieSafe policies, what will happen?

Students who have been reported to have violated an ObieSafe policy will be subject to an ObieSafe Non-Compliance process as detailed in the “Procedures for Supporting Compliance with the 2021-2022 Community Agreement.” Please note that serious failures to abide by COVID-19 policies can result in a suspension or dismissal from the institution.

Are visitors allowed on Oberlin’s campus?

Yes, visitors are welcome at Oberlin. We require all visitors to remain masked indoors and to follow verbal or posted instructions related to any specific campus location. We strongly encourage all visitors to be up to date on the vaccinations. According to the CDC: Up to date on your vaccination means you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.

Are admissions-related events taking place?

Yes. Prospective students and admissions visitors should monitor the ObieSafe website and/or contact college and conservatory admissions staff regularly for updates. In the conservatory, information about on-campus auditions (dates, applicable vaccination requirements, and more) will be communicated directly to prospective students.

Do all staff need to continue reporting to work in person? Can I work remotely?

Employees are expected to report to campus for work. If you are concerned about your ability to take appropriate COVID precautions in your work area, please speak with your supervisor or a representative from Human Resources.