COVID-19 | Ohio Northern University

Updated: Aug. 9, 2021 | 8:25 a.m.

All members of the ONU community will wear masks indoors, if not in a personal office or residence hall space, beginning on Aug. 9. The level of transmission for Hardin County increased from moderate (yellow) to substantial (orange) on Aug. 7, now requiring those who are vaccinated to mask indoors. Those who are unvaccinated are already required to mask indoors as well.

Due to recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for fully vaccinated people and Governor DeWine’s decisions to rescind most of the COVID-19 orders of the Ohio Department of Health and to end the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration for the state, Ohio Northern University (ONU) is incorporating several changes into the 2021-22 Safety Plan.

We recognize that no university, nor any other organization, can guarantee an environment free of COVID-19, and we expect everyone associated with the University to understand that there is a risk of contracting the virus here or anywhere. Nonetheless, our highest priority is the health, safety and well-being of every member of the ONU community. To address the COVID-19 risk factors, ONU will rely once again on the unique benefits of our size and expertise, as well as the experience gained from safely and successfully completing the entire
2020-21 academic year in person.

Every member of our community must share responsibility for taking all necessary steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection. This means following the measures included in this Safety Plan, which are informed by national, state and local health directives, by guidance from similar levels of government and by following other relevant University requirements and practices.

Because guidance from various health organizations and government offices may change as conditions and scientific recommendations change, the ONU Safety Plan is subject to change as well. We will continue to review what we have learned from last year’s success and revise our Safety Plan with two primary goals in mind: 1) keep students, faculty and staff healthy and safe, and 2) return as much as possible to normal operations for learning, living and working on campus.

READ THE FULL SAFETY PLANS HERE: Fall 2021 Safety Plan
Previous safety plans: Spring 2021 Safety Plan and Fall 2020 Safety Plan.

VACCINE INFORMATION: ONU HealthWise Pharmacy will provide COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible patients. This clinic is open to ALL members of the campus community and the general public over the age of 18, regardless of residency. HealthWise will administering the Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines.

Learn more about ONU's vaccine clinics here.

ONU students, please register here.
ONU faculty, staff and community members, please register here.

The ONU COVID-19 Testing Dashboard displays the results from weekly surveillance testing, and recovered cases, and is updated every Monday. The dashboard also incorporates testing information from students who are taking courses on campus and have been tested off campus as well as for employees. We receive this information from students, employees and county health departments.

The process we engaged in drew heavily on the expertise of our faculty, especially those in medical and allied health fields. We also worked closely with other University partners, especially staff from the Kenton Hardin Health Department who also approved the safety plan. By continuing to work together, we can look forward to success this fall coming together to resume in-person education on our beautiful campus.

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NOTE: Some of the resources on this web page document communications and planning efforts and are being preserved for archive purposes. Please consult the ONU Safety Plan for the most current information.

Campus & Parent Communications

Several communications have been distributed to the campus community about the coronavirus. You can read these below. Ohio Northern continues to monitor the outbreak and remains in close contact with local and state officials in order to do what is best for the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

To all members of the University community,

I write to provide a COVID update to the campus community as we near the completion of the fifth week of Fall Semester. All things considered, there is good news and bad news to report.

First, the good news. Our campus community has maintained impressive levels of health and safety since the beginning of the academic year, making it safe for in-person education to be sustained. More than 80% of the student body is fully vaccinated, and nearly 90% of full-time faculty and staff are fully vaccinated. Among the members of our community who are unvaccinated, their required weekly testing continues with results indicating a low level of infections occurring. To date, the positive rate of infection for the last 7 days is 0.3%. These are encouraging outcomes, and I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone. We can truly be Polar Bear proud; however, we also must avoid becoming complacent

I would be remiss if I did not note that we can do better. A higher vaccination rate would provide us with an even safer campus. So, I strongly urge unvaccinated students and employees to seriously consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible. In fact, what I have been told as recently as this week is that given the virulence and the spread of the Delta variant, anyone in our state who is unvaccinated, will likely get COVID before the transmission cycle is significantly reduced.

Second, is the bad news. Our local community is not doing well. The COMMUNITY tab of the COVID Dashboard shows that Hardin County is still a HIGH transmission county and that only 32% of the eligible population in the county is fully vaccinated. As a result, this week the county health department issued a mask advisory. It advises everyone – both the vaccinated and unvaccinated – to wear masks at all times indoors, except when eating, and outdoors when in crowds. I encourage everyone to regularly view the COVID Dashboard and to please read the COMMUNITY information that is posted there.

I also want to remind everyone that the flu season is here and urge you to get a flu shot. All faculty, staff and students at ONU can receive a flu vaccine at no charge to them regardless of insurance coverage. Simply stop by the ONU HealthWise Pharmacy between 4-6 p.m. weekdays to receive your vaccination. If you have insurance, bring your insurance card with you and ONU HealthWise will process its services against your insurance at no charge to you.

Finally, let me again express my appreciation to everyone and to strongly urge those who are not yet vaccinated to consider doing so now. I assure you that the University leadership will continue to monitor conditions, review the need for additional safeguards and adjust our safety plan as necessary. I am very grateful that members of the ONU community are making their own safety and the safety of others their top priority. Where COVID is concerned, this is not the fall semester we hoped for. It is, however, the fall semester we have, and we must continue to do our best to make the most of it by making Fall Semester safe for all.

Take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
To members of the ONU community,

As an update to the COVID-19 communication sent on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, we are writing to notify everyone that all members of the ONU community will wear masks indoors, if not in a personal office or residence hall space, beginning on Aug. 9.

Over the weekend, the level of transmission for Hardin County increased from moderate (yellow) to substantial (orange), now requiring those who are vaccinated to mask indoors, a change that will be noted in the ONU Safety Plan. Those who are unvaccinated are already required to mask indoors as described in the ONU Safety Plan as well.

All unvaccinated students are required to provide a negative COVID test performed no more than five (5) days of arrival on campus for fall 2021 semester. The written test result from a healthcare provider (lab, retail pharmacy, hospital, doctor’s office, etc.) should be submitted electronically to covidresults@onu.edu. (Scans or pictures of the test result are acceptable) Unvaccinated students who have had a documented COVID-19 infection in the 90 days prior to return to campus are not required to provide a negative COVID-19 test and should email their positive test result report to health-center@onu.edu, and bring that report with them upon return to campus. Fully vaccinated students are exempt from pre-arrival COVID-19 testing if they report their vaccination record to the Student Health Center by emailing health-center@onu.edu. Faculty and staff should report their vaccination record to Human Resources by uploading it to the PeopleAdmin portal at jobs.onu.edu/hr.

The ONU Safety Plan includes the most up-to-date information about the University’s response to COVID-19 and the measures intended to ensure your health and well-being. The plan can be found on the Ohio Northern University website.

We will continue to monitor conditions and circumstances, and our safety plan for fall semester may change accordingly in keeping with what is in the best interest of the campus community.

Thank you for all you are doing to keep ONU healthy and safe, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to campus soon.

Sincerely,
Dan DiBiasio, President
Julie Hurtig, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Adriane Thompson-Bradshaw, Vice President for Student Affairs
Tonya Paul, Director of Human Resources
To all members of the University community,

The University's revised comprehensive safety plan for the 2021-22 academic year is now complete and published on our website. It incorporates and elaborates on changes that were outlined in a previous campus communication sent on May 28, 2021.

The May 28 communication noted that the impetus for making revisions to our safety plans are twofold: 1) new guidance from the CDC for vaccinated persons, and 2) Governor DeWine’s recession of most of the COVID-related orders issued by the Ohio Department of Health. Subsequently, the Governor also ended his COVID-19 Emergency Declaration for the state.

Compared to last year’s safety plan which outlined uniform safety measures for all faculty, staff and students to follow, this revised comprehensive plan accounts for greater ambiguity and reflects the nature of where we are in the fight against COVID-19 at this point in time. Specifically, it calls for different safety measures, expectations and requirements for those in our community who are fully vaccinated and for those who choose to be unvaccinated. The plan retains and sustains two primary overarching goals: 1) to keep all students, faculty and staff healthy and safe, and 2) to return as much as possible to normal operations for learning, living and working on campus.

It is worth recalling another point made in the May 28 communication, namely the importance of trust and respect as we enter a new academic year in this new phase of the pandemic. Please respect the choices the members of our community make and be sensitive to students and colleagues regardless of their vaccination status.

The elements of this plan are now in place. They provide each of us clear expectations and set forth the health and safety requirements necessary to achieve our goals in the coming academic year. There is still work to be done on refining some of the procedures to implement the safety plan, including providing information and guidance to our stakeholders about accountability. As these procedures are finalized they will be communicated.

Nonetheless, it is important to underscore that no plan ensures success. Rather, the people who are responsible for fulfilling the expectations and requirements of the plan – our students, faculty and staff – will determine its success. Knowing that and knowing the ONU community, I am confident we will succeed even more in the coming year.

Dan DiBiasio
President
To all ONU students and their families,

Maximizing the health and safety of our entire community continues to be our top priority, and we are optimistic that the coming months will bring more signs that the spread of COVID-19 is diminishing. Due to the recent CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people and Gov. DeWine’s decision to rescind most of the COVID-related orders of the Ohio Department of Health on June 2, 2021, I am announcing several changes to ONU’s campus COVID policies.

The new CDC guidance and the rescission of the Ohio Department of Health Orders occurred because the approved vaccines have been so effective at protecting vaccinated people against COVID-19. As a result, Ohio Northern University is strongly encouraging students, faculty and staff to get fully vaccinated.

Beginning Wednesday, June 2, the following new masking, distancing and other safety measures will be in effect.

Fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff:
- Are not required to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors.
- Are exempt from distancing guidelines.
- Are exempt from participating in any ONU COVID surveillance testing program upon submitting verified proof of vaccination.
- Are not required to quarantine if exposed to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19.
- Are requested to submit verified proof of vaccination to the appropriate office (Student Health Center for students, and Office of Human Resources for faculty and staff).
Unvaccinated students, faculty and staff:
- Are required to wear face coverings and maintain distancing (six feet) at all times indoors, except when with roommates or suitemates in residence halls and apartments, alone in an office or in a cubicle six feet from others and except for distancing in classrooms and laboratories where seating may be less than six feet apart.
- Are required to wear face coverings outside unless alone or in small gatherings with fully vaccinated individuals.
- Are required to participate in any ONU COVID surveillance testing program.
- Residential students are expected to isolate off campus if they test positive for COVID-19, unless there are extenuating circumstances preventing them from moving off campus to isolate.
- Residential students are expected to quarantine off campus if they are contact traced (exposed to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19), unless there are extenuating circumstances preventing them from moving off campus to quarantine.
Other ONU Safety Plan changes include the following:

Domestic and International Travel
ONU students and employees will be permitted to travel for university business and educational purposes. ONU travelers must comply with the appropriate CDC guidance and other requirements from programs, destinations or organizations (such as the NCAA and study abroad providers). Further clarification of travel policies will be included in the forthcoming, updated ONU Safety Plan.

Domestic Travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html#unvaccinated-people
International Travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html

Visitors
Fully vaccinated visitors are not required to wear face coverings indoors and outdoors on the ONU campus and are exempt from distancing guidelines.

Unvaccinated visitors are required to wear face coverings and maintain physical distance at all times indoors. Visitors also are required to wear coverings outdoors unless alone or in a small gathering with fully vaccinated individuals.

Like the state of Ohio, ONU also will employ the use of incentives. While we are not able to be as generous as the state’s incentive plan, we are holding a random drawing for Ohio Northern students to encourage vaccinations and submissions of verified proof of vaccination. Proof of vaccination must show that two shots of Pfizer or Moderna have been received, or one shot of Johnson & Johnson. Every student who is fully vaccinated and submits verified proof of vaccination to the ONU Student Health Center by Aug. 2, will be entered into a special drawing for prizes that include:
- 5 – $5,000 grants toward cost of attending Ohio Northern University in 2021-22
- 10 – iPad Airs
- 10 – Apple Watches
- 10 – Apple AirPods Pro
To be eligible and automatically entered into the drawing, simply email a copy (photo or scan) of your completed COVID-19 vaccination card to the ONU Student Health Center at health-center@onu.edu by Aug. 2. The information will be logged on a spreadsheet in the health center. Winners will be randomly drawn from the submitted vaccine cards and announced on Aug. 6.

Because guidance from various health organizations and government offices may change as conditions and scientific recommendations change, the ONU Safety Plan is subject to change as those conditions change. We will continue to review what we have learned from last year’s success and revise our safety plans with two primary goals in mind: 1) keep students, faculty and staff healthy and safe, and 2) return as much as possible to normal operations for learning, living and working on campus. Based on our past success, I am confident ONU will succeed even more in the coming year.

Finally, please be sensitive to your fellow students and other members of the campus community who may be more comfortable continuing to wear a mask or practicing other forms of health protection. Individuals make choices for many different reasons. Let’s show kindness and courtesy by respecting their choice as well as their reason for doing so.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this new phase of the pandemic together and enjoy the path toward getting back to normal and even to better.

Dan DiBiasio
President
To all members of the University community,

Due to the recent CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people and Gov. DeWine’s decision to rescind most of the COVID-related orders of the Ohio Department of Health on June 2, 2021, I am announcing several changes to campus COVID policies.

The new CDC guidance and the rescission of the Ohio Department of Health Orders occurred because the approved vaccines have been so effective at protecting vaccinated people against COVID-19. As a result, Ohio Northern University is strongly encouraging students, faculty and staff to get fully vaccinated.

Beginning Wednesday, June 2, the following new masking, distancing and other safety measures will be in effect.

Fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff:
- Are not required to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors.
- Are exempt from distancing guidelines.
- Are exempt from participating in any ONU COVID surveillance testing program upon submitting verified proof of vaccination.
- Are not required to quarantine if exposed to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19.
- Are requested to submit verified proof of vaccination to the appropriate office (Student Health Center for students, and Office of Human Resources for faculty and staff). Human Resources will send specific instructions to faculty and staff regarding the submission process.
Unvaccinated students, faculty and staff:
- Are required to wear face coverings and maintain distancing (six feet) at all times indoors, except when with roommates or suitemates in residence halls and apartments, alone in an office or in a cubicle six feet from others and except for distancing in classrooms and laboratories where seating may be less than six feet apart.
- Are required to wear face coverings outside unless alone or in small gatherings with fully vaccinated individuals.
- Are required to participate in any ONU COVID surveillance testing program.
- Residential students are expected to isolate off campus if they test positive for COVID-19, unless there are extenuating circumstances preventing them from moving off campus to isolate.
- Residential students are expected to quarantine off campus if they are contact traced (exposed to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19), unless there are extenuating circumstances preventing them from moving off campus to quarantine.
Other ONU Safety Plan changes include the following:

Domestic and International Travel
ONU students and employees will be permitted to travel domestically and internationally for university business and educational purposes. Vaccinated and unvaccinated ONU travelers must comply with the appropriate CDC guidance or other requirements from programs, destinations or organizations (such as the NCAA). Further clarification of travel policies will be included in the forthcoming, updated ONU Safety Plan.

Domestic travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html#unvaccinated-people
International Travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html

Visitors
Fully vaccinated visitors are not required to wear face coverings indoors and outdoors on the ONU campus and are exempt from distancing guidelines.

Unvaccinated visitors are required to wear face coverings and maintain physical distance at all times indoors. Visitors also are required to wear face coverings outdoors unless alone or in a small gathering with fully vaccinated individuals.

Because guidance from various health organizations and government offices may change as conditions and scientific recommendations change, the ONU Safety Plan is subject to change as conditions change. We will continue to review what we have learned from last year’s success and revise our safety plans with two primary goals in mind: 1) keep students, faculty and staff healthy and safe, and 2) return as much as possible to normal operations for learning, living and working on campus. A comprehensive ONU Safety Plan update will be forthcoming. In the meantime, and based on our past success, I am confident ONU will succeed even more in the coming year.

Finally, please be sensitive to your colleagues on campus who may be more comfortable continuing to wear a mask or practicing other forms of health protection. Our co-workers make choices for many different reasons. Respect their choice as well as their reason for doing so.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this new phase of the pandemic together and enjoy the path toward getting back to normal and even to better.

Take good care,
Dan DiBiasio
President
Greetings ONU Students,

Earlier this week, I sent you a video message to share an important opportunity to receive the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, and encouraged you to take advantage of it.

Today, Gov. DeWine asked us to temporarily pause the use of the J&J vaccine pending review by the CDC and FDA. However, ONU did receive 1,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine today. This is good news, as we can still hold the Vaccination Clinic scheduled for this Friday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You can sign up for the April 16 vaccine clinic directly here. You also can call 419-772-3784 or email hwpharmacy@onu.edu.

The Moderna vaccine requires two shots, ideally at 22-28 days apart. Students can receive their first shot on April 16, and then consider one of several options to receive the second dose:
- Option 1: Receive the first shot on April 16, go home after finals, and return to campus on May 14 for the second shot.
- Option 2: Receive the first shot on April 16, stay on campus at ONU (at no additional cost) or in your local apartment through commencement weekend, and get the second shot on May 10.
- Option 3: Receive the first shot on April 16, and go home after finals with the intent to locate a facility to receive the second shot on May 10-14. You should check with your local pharmacy or health department to determine availability.
ONU HealthWise also is trying to secure doses of the Pfizer vaccine by Friday, which only requires a three-week waiting period for the second dose. Stay tuned, as that would make it even easier to get both doses at ONU before the end of finals week!

Getting vaccinated prior to leaving campus makes your return home safer for your entire family and your community. This is especially important as COVID-19 infections are rising in many parts of the country. It’s our hope to have nearly all of our returning students vaccinated by fall, allowing us to return to more normal operations next year. However, not nearly enough ONU students have done so at present. That’s why making an appointment for the Vaccination Clinic on Friday is so important.

Please make the most of this opportunity. Roll up your sleeve, get the vaccine. ONU can be as safe as possible when you take this giant leap for your protection and the protection of others.

Thank you and take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
To the ONU campus community,

This morning, Ohio Northern learned news of the temporary pause of the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. Therefore, Ohio Northern and the HealthWise Mobile Clinic have cancelled all COVID-19 vaccination appointments and clinics effective April 13.

Here is the official notice being sent from Gov. DeWine's office:
As of April 13, Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud, and Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., are advising all Ohio vaccine providers to temporarily pause using the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. This is in response to a statement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine following extremely rare blood-clotting events of six people in the U.S. after receiving the vaccine. Later today the FDA and the CDC will hold a media briefing. In addition, the CDC will convene a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices tomorrow to further review these cases. Officials with the Ohio Department of Health are following this situation closely.

Once we have authorization from the Ohio Department of Health and confidence in the safety of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, we will alert the campus community on the next steps.

If you received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and have questions, please contact your medical care provider, ONU HealthWise or ONU Health Center.

Take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
Greetings ONU Students,

I am sending you this video message today to share an important opportunity and encourage you to take advantage of it.

Please sign up to make an appointment at your convenience for the Vaccination Clinic
this Friday, April 16, by visiting the COVID website. You can sign up for the April 16 vaccine clinic directly here. You also can call 419-772-3784 or email hwpharmacy@onu.edu. We’ll be resending this appointment information several times this week.

By having nearly all of our students vaccinated, will we be able to return to more normal
operations next year. I am grateful to the students, faculty and staff that have already
been vaccinated. However, not nearly enough students have done so at present. That’s
why making an appointment for the Vaccination Clinic on Friday is so important.

Make the most of this opportunity. Roll up your sleeve, get the vaccine. ONU can be as safe as possible when you take this giant leap for your protection and the protection of others.

Thank you and take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
To all ONU faculty, staff, students and parents,

We are pleased to announce that ONU intends to return to a full on-campus experience this fall. We will do so, of course, by relying on public health guidance and working with state and local officials to pursue learning, living, and working on campus as close to, if not at, pre-pandemic levels.

The University is committed to providing our students with an optimal educational environment and looks forward to returning to a traditional semester calendar as well as continuing in-person learning, on-campus living and campus events and activities. Our priorities are to keep students, faculty and staff safe and learning at the highest level.

We are confident that Fall 2021 will look more like normal campus operations for many reasons. Our successful response to implementing in-person education this academic year is one reason for that confidence. We implemented robust safety protocols for cleaning, testing, tracing, quarantining and isolating that have allowed us to remain effectively operational, and we are continuing to rely on our faculty and staff in pharmacy and in other allied health fields for their expertise to provide the latest science-based knowledge. We also have benefited greatly from the high level of compliance to these safety measures by our students, faculty and staff. In short, our current safeguards have worked well.

Another reason for hope in the fight against this virus is the availability and accessibility of vaccines. Our ONU HealthWise Mobile Clinic and the College of Pharmacy are taking the lead in sponsoring vaccination clinics on campus and within our region. We are proud to be one of the four mobile clinics in the Governor’s Mass Vaccination Program statewide. In addition, we are grateful that so many members of the ONU community are getting vaccinated and realize what a great resource we have right here on our campus to provide that protection.

Thus, we anticipate a fall semester where the entire campus community can once again come together to create a safe and healthy environment for face-to-face learning.

Plans for Fall semester may have to be adjusted as this health crisis evolves and as updated information becomes available pertaining to state and federal guidance and regulations. As we have all year, we’ll need to be patient, flexible, and resilient in order to protect ourselves and each other and sustain ONU’s health, safety and academic success.

Meanwhile, we understand you may have additional questions, and we’ll try to answer them as best as we can. For current information on COVID-19 testing statistics and safety information, visit: ONU’s COVID-19 Testing Dashboard and University’s safety plan.

Current Students: Please contact the Office of Student Affairs or your respective dean’s office.
- Student Affairs | studentaffairs@onu.edu | 419-772-2433
- Arts & Sciences | a-and-s@onu.edu | 419-772-2130
- Business | business@onu.edu | 419-772-2070
- Engineering | engineering@onu.edu | 419-772-2371
- Law | lawdean@onu.edu | 419-772-3051
- Pharmacy | pharmacy@onu.edu | 419-772-2275
Parents: Please contact Dr. Kelly Shields, associate dean, College of Pharmacy, at k-shields@onu.edu. Dr. Shields serves in COVID Point of Contact role and responds to general concerns from the campus community and parents.

Faculty/Staff: Please contact the appropriate office.
- President | president@onu.edu | 419-772-2030
- Provost | academic-affairs@onu.edu | 419-772-2033
- Human Resources | hr@onu.edu | 419-772-2013
ONU will provide you with timely communications regarding additional information or changes to any plans. Pertinent information will continue to be posted on the University’s website, updated regularly and, as with this email, occasionally communicated to our campus community directly.

Sincerely,
Dan DiBiasio, President
Julie Hurtig, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Adriane Thompson-Bradshaw, Vice President for Student Affairs
Tonya Paul, Director of Human Resources
To all ONU faculty and staff,

As a follow up to last week’s communication prompted by nearing the midpoint of the spring semester, I want to share a few recent COVID-related developments for your information.

The first concerns the news released on Friday, March 5, that the ONU HealthWise Mobile Clinic was selected to be one of four mobile clinics in Gov. DeWine’s State-sponsored Regional Mass Vaccination Clinics program. The ONU HealthWise Mobile Clinic will serve multiple counties in northwest and west central Ohio. Large-scale mass vaccination sites in 11 locations throughout Ohio also are part of this promising new effort to vaccinate more Ohioans.

More information about this exciting new opportunity and how it will engage skilled students and faculty from a variety of our health science programs will be forthcoming. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Steve Martin, dean of the College of Pharmacy, at s-martin.11@onu.edu.

The second item concerns spectators at athletic contests. On Friday, March 5, the presidents of the colleges and universities that comprise the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) approved the recommendation from the OAC athletic directors to permit spectators at athletic contests beginning on March 8. The approved policy for permitting spectators includes the following basic provisions:
- The home team shall receive two admissions per participating student-athlete and coach, and the visiting team shall receive two admissions per student-athlete and coach per established travel squad limits.
- These admissions may not exceed 30 percent of the spectator area capacity.
- Band and cheerleaders may participate at home events only, per institutional discretion, and also receive two admissions per participant, keeping under the 30 percent capacity requirement.
- Admissions will be managed by a pass list at the gate and only spectators on the list will be admitted.
- Spectators may not congregate before, during or after games. This includes tailgating, group gatherings and generally visiting. Any congregating activities will be respectfully stopped by game day staff. Coaches and students will not congregate with spectators pre or post game.
- Spectators are required to mask and social distance, and no concessions will be available.
A similar pilot version of this policy occurred during the OAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments last week. It was successfully implemented. Nonetheless, the spectator policy set to begin on March 8, will be closely monitored and adjusted as necessary.

Finally, a brief update on Commencement planning following recent news from the Ohio Department of Health about expanding capacity limits for indoor and outdoor venues. Given our desire to safely host in-person graduation ceremonies and to permit a limited number of family members to attend, we believe holding commencement outdoors offers the greatest flexibility and safety to all participants. With this in mind, we intend to finalize and communicate our plans on or before the end of this month.

Many thanks for your continued hard work and resilience in these challenging COVID times.

Take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
To all members of the University community,

At this midpoint in spring semester 2021, I am writing to express gratitude for our progress to date and to urge everyone to remain steadfast in keeping ONU safe for in-person education for the rest of the semester. By continuing to take a few simple, highly effective measures – mask wearing, 6 feet distancing, daily health checks and restricting travel away from campus as much as possible – all members of the campus community will minimize potential outbreaks and protect each other.

Gratitude
As you may have noticed from periodically viewing the COVID Dashboard located on the University’s website, the number of positive test results has been very low since the semester began on Jan. 19, 2021. Last Thursday, we posted the highest number of positive cases since the semester began, a total of three. When a total of three positive tests is considered a spike, we are doing well.

I am grateful for where we are at this moment. However, other campuses are not so fortunate. For example, one school in our athletic conference recently had a one-day spike of more than 30 positive tests and another campus in a nearby state experienced a spike of 60 positive tests in one day.

Your diligence and dedication to our safety requirements – especially as noted above to mask wearing, distancing and daily health checks – definitely account for our excellent early results. Yet, we know that early results do not guarantee ultimate success. Now is not the time to let our guard down or relax our reliance on the effective standards and measures that have helped to get us this far so safely.

To be sure, greater access to and distribution of COVID vaccines are increasing, giving us greater hope for a more normal summer and for next academic year as well. However, COVID virus variants are in all 50 states and pose imminent risk to individuals and communities alike. As a result, we must continue to adhere to the requirements outlined in the ONU Safety Plan and keep showing that we care for each other.

Keeping Each Other Safe
With that in mind, here are a few requests and reminders to help us continue making progress towards the completion of another successful semester of in-person education.

Regarding travel. Campus healthcare staff have noticed that a significant proportion of our students and employees who tested positive for COVID were infected after traveling off-campus. Off-campus exposure to the virus has led to many individuals becoming positive for COVID, triggering contact tracing and ultimately quarantining of several campus members. Students are especially reminded to restrict travel as much as possible during the semester to minimize potential outbreaks. Faculty have been great about accommodating students who have missed class due to being isolated, quarantined or due to other illnesses such as the flu and are obligated to accommodate student absences only when ONU approves students not reporting to class.

Students, faculty and staff are required to register their personal travel in accordance with the circumstances stated in the Safety Plan, such as traveling to a state or country that is identified by the State of Ohio or the CDC as having a high COVID-19 positivity rate (see Personal Travel Reporting at my.onu.edu/ONUTravelReporting). Upon returning from personal travel to areas with high COVID-19 positivity rates, either domestic or international, please self-monitor or self-quarantine, in accordance with the latest guidance from the State of Ohio and/or the CDC. Remote work or study may be required.

Regarding the Flu Season. Throughout the influenza season, campus members who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu will be referred to ONU HealthWise Pharmacy for viral testing of COVID-19 and influenza A and B. This test for all three viruses will be performed from one nasal swab sample. Persons who test positive for influenza A or B will be asked to stay off-campus (if possible) or in their on-campus residence for a minimum of five days after the test, but at least 24 hours after all symptoms are resolved. This will reduce the likelihood of exposing others on campus to influenza. Students living on campus with a meal plan will be allowed to pick up food from the McIntosh dining facility to take back to their residence hall.

Regarding Keeping Track of Who Has Been Vaccinated. If you have been vaccinated, let us know. Knowing how many of our campus members have been vaccinated will help us plan for summer and fall. Students are asked to send a picture or scan of their vaccination card to the Student Health Center (email student-health@onu.edu) after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna has been received, or their first and only dose of Johnson & Johnson is received. Faculty and staff should send an email to hr@onu.edu once they have received their first dose of vaccine, regardless of manufacturer, which will help HR efficiently know who to contact when HealthWise or other pharmacies in the area have vaccines available.

We appreciate all the sacrifices everyone is making in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 on our campus and in our community. I know these efforts and these times are stressful. This has been a long and arduous journey. As noted above, we must remain vigilant in protecting each other from this public health threat. We must also make the most of all of the resources on campus to ensure mental health and sustain resilience. In doing so, we will remain Polar Bear Strong, hopefully continue our good results and keep each other safe.

Take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
An enhanced COVID-19 dashboard has been developed and is now available for viewing on the website. This improved dashboard allows ONU to share significantly more data than we were able to in the fall. Some key new features are:
- A chart which displays daily testing statistics and can be filtered by test type (surveillance or non-surveillance).
- Surveillance testing positive rates.
- Key community statistics from the Ohio Department of Health.
Be sure to hover your mouse over various data elements for additional information and context.

This dashboard reports all testing information from Jan. 19, 2021, and on. It does not include the Return to Campus Safe Program results.

During the Return to Campus Safe Program, students were given an at-home test kit to collect a saliva sample that was mailed to a lab for PCR testing. There were 2,020 student test kits processed by the lab and 37 were positive (a 1.8% positivity rate). The remaining students submitted test results from other laboratories or had tested positive in the past 90 days.

Additionally, in order to serve the campus community with the best information possible, we will be updating the dashboard on a daily basis Monday through Friday.

Thanks,
Josh Deans, Director of Institutional Research
To all members of the ONU community,

Despite the unsettling events last week, I do want to reach out in advance of Spring Semester 2021 to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

We are excited to welcome all students, faculty and staff back to campus and anticipate that you will return to campus healthy and rejuvenated after a longer than usual break between semesters and over the holidays. Please read the information presented below thoroughly and carefully, including documents referenced with hyperlinks. Members of the COVID Implementation Team have worked diligently over break to make necessary adjustments to the University’s Safety Plan so that we have the opportunity for another successful semester of in-person education at ONU.

As you know, cases in Ohio and across the nation are at record levels. These trends have caused us to make changes to improve our ability to safely return and remain on campus. A more positive development in the fight against COVID-19 is the FDA’s emergency use authorization and subsequent distribution of two vaccines. It will be a while before enough citizens are vaccinated to enable a sense of normalcy to return to American life, but every week brings us closer to that point.

Adjustments to the Safety Plan
The Spring Semester Safety Plan for In-person Education is posted. Please review all of it, and note these major changes that have been made to make our campus safer:
- The main lobby of Stambaugh Hall is the NEW COVID-19 testing location during spring semester 2021. As part of the Safe Return to Campus, undergraduate, MSA and pharmacy students submitted their screening tests on Jan. 11, and law students will be doing so on Jan. 19. Stambaugh Hall is located on the northeast corner of campus near the law building.
- Faculty and Staff who are symptomatic and request testing should contact Human Resources or ONU HealthWise for guidance. Students should contact the Health Center.
- Faculty, staff and students new to Ohio Northern in 2021 will be required to complete the online COVID-19 training.
- The spring semester starts on Jan. 19, 2021, and ends on May 7, 2021, with a class day off in February, March and April.
- Only ONU students are permitted to visit other students in their campus residential rooms, suites or apartments. During such visits everyone must practice social distancing and wear face coverings.
- Persons from outside of the University are prohibited from visiting campus residential rooms, suites or apartments, including parents and other family members.
- At this time, ONU and the other nine members of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) are holding a winter sports season of competition in accordance with OAC and NCAA safety guidelines.
How the Statewide Curfew Affects the Campus
There is a statewide curfew in place in Ohio until at least Jan. 23. Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud has ordered those in Ohio to stay home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., except for traveling to work or as necessary to obtain food, medical care or social services.

The campus libraries and academic buildings will maintain regular hours that often extend into the curfew hours. The State has indicated that the curfew permits students to move about for the purposes of their academic study. Students must return to their residence immediately after leaving campus buildings after 10 p.m. In-person campus activities and events, reserved through McIntosh Center, will end no later than 9:45 p.m. to allow students time to return home by 10 p.m.

The WOW Cafe will continue its evening hours, as it only serves via take-out. Students are reminded to continue best practices of social distancing and wearing face coverings.

Surveillance Testing to Resume and the Results Posted
Starting the week of Jan. 25, ONU will resume surveillance testing of a sample population of 3% of faculty, staff and students. Individuals chosen randomly for COVID-19 testing will be sent an email that contains a link to make an appointment at the ONU HealthWise testing location in the main lobby of Stambaugh Hall.

The results of all tests performed at HealthWise for COVID-19 will be posted to the campus dashboard weekly. There will be a higher volume of testing reported this semester due to ONU’s adherence to the NCAA testing protocols.

If you test positive at an off-campus testing site, please inform the appropriate campus office to help us better track the health of our campus and to appropriately update the dashboard. Student-athletes should report an off-campus positive test result to their athletic trainer. All other students should contact the Health Center (health-center@onu.edu). Faculty and staff should report their off-campus positive test results to Human Resources (hr@onu.edu).

Summary
To summarize, we believe that the goal of safely continuing in-person education is achievable again this semester. With even more strict adherence to our safety measures and requirements, with more careful health monitoring of ourselves and with a greater commitment to the actions of the Safety Plan – both on and off campus – we can achieve that goal together, safely and successfully.

Welcome back everyone, and take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
All ONU employees,

As we approach the close of what has been a highly unusual year, we would like to provide guidance and resources in preparation for a safe return to work in 2021.

Holiday Gatherings
While ONU will not be permitting any holiday gatherings on campus, please consider holding virtual events for your time together this year!

Holiday Travel
ONU strongly suggests that faculty and staff members postpone or limit holiday travel. If you do travel, the CDC holiday travel guidelines are a very good resource. They can be found on the CDC website.

The State of Ohio’s travel advisory page highlights the COVID positive percentage rates by state. They advise that travel to any state with more than a 15% positivity rate at the time of travel should require a 10-day quarantine. You can locate this map here.

As you will see, Ohio is currently at 16%, and is projected to increase over the next several weeks. Those staying in Ohio and visiting with friends and family are in an "at risk" position in accordance with this guidance unless you remain masked and are 6-feet apart. Gov. DeWine encourages all Ohioans to stay at home, with their immediate family members within their household this holiday season.

This guidance includes New Year's travel.

Returning to Work:
In order for everyone to return to work safely, we ask that if you do travel to any of the states in Ohio’s Travel Advisory or gather with those outside your household unmasked and not socially distanced, please self-quarantine for 10 days prior to your return to campus. If you are unclear about your circumstances, please contact the Office of Human Resources to determine when you should safely return to work. Remote working arrangements are acceptable with the proper supervisor approvals.

Please stay safe everyone and have a blessed holiday this year,

Dan DiBiasio, President

Tonya Paul, Director of Human Resources
To all members of the University community,

When the University decided last spring to resume in-person education safely for fall semester 2020, three principles guided that action:
- Protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the broader community,
- Maximizing in-person instruction as much as possible, and
- Maintaining flexibility for rapid response in the event of a COVID-19 resurgence in late fall.
We then developed the Early Start, Early Finish academic calendar, created a comprehensive Safety Plan and prayed for patience, understanding, compliance and keeping each other as safe as possible.

To the great credit of our resilient academic community, we have successfully completed the fall semester. It has not been easy, it has not been without stress and strain, and it has not been without disruption to the way we normally deliver education and to how our students are accustomed to being engaged in their education.

Nonetheless, despite numerous challenges, we made it. We accomplished a big goal, making us one of the few colleges and universities in the nation to complete an entire semester of in-person education from start to finish.

Yet, how we met that goal is perhaps the real story of fall semester 2020, because we did it so well, so innovatively, and with such fidelity to ONU being ONU. We found a way to creatively continue campus traditions – virtual Homecoming and a virtual Lehr Society event, Student Senate meetings under the tent, SPC events, Pharmacy’s White Coat Ceremony, and two virtual Career Fairs; we continued our passion to serve others – Halloween for Kids in the Ada community, Love Where You Live Day, Habitat for Humanity Leaf Raking, and hosting the West Ohio Food Bank; we kept the performing arts performing – live streaming drama, musical theatre and the ONU Symphony, in addition to an outdoor concert featuring the ONU Marching Band and a unique ONU Dance Showcase; we competed against ourselves in athletics with intrasquad scrimmages in football, baseball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s soccer. These are just a few examples of Polar Bears making the most of these challenging times and of how we achieved a different measure of success.

I lift up these achievements with great pride and genuine humility. Pride in knowing that so many students, faculty and staff worked so hard to care for themselves and others, and humble in realizing that others in our state, the nation and the world have not been as fortunate as we have been.

My deep gratitude is extended to each and every one of you. All of us – students, faculty, administrative and support staff, coaches, the staff in the physical plant, dining services and the Inn have worked incredibly hard and have made so many sacrifices and adjustments since early August. Now, in late November, you are all a big part of a huge success.

However, there are a few ONU employees whose regular work was truly upended by COVID. They have performed heroically in helping us fight this viral foe all semester long and deserve special mention. More important, they deserve our deep gratitude. They are Karen Schroeder, director of the Student Health Center; Adriane Thompson Bradshaw, vice president for student affairs; Julie Hurtig, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs; Mike Rush, director of ONU HealthWise; Steve Martin, dean of the College of Pharmacy; Vicki Niese, director of business services, and Josh Deans, director of institutional research. We thank them and their respective teams for all that they did this semester on behalf of our students and our University.

As we close the semester, the virus is surging more than ever before. There is promising recent news about a vaccine, but we are months away from that promise being fulfilled. At present, we must continue keeping ourselves, each other and our loved ones as safe as we can. It is what we Polar Bears have done all semester long, and it is what we must continue to do.

Thank you for keeping ONU strong and moving us forward together.

Happy Thanksgiving, be safe and take good care,
Dan DiBiasio
President
Return to Campus Safe Testing Program

The Return to Campus Safe Testing program is ONU’s baseline testing program for next semester. All degree-seeking students will be required to test prior to returning to campus. Students living in the United States will utilize a saliva-based test that is completed at home during the week before spring semester starts. ONU will pay for one test kit for each student, along with the shipping and processing of the sample. (If you are outside of the U.S. before the term starts, we will work with you to schedule another testing program.)

Below are further details, but let me stress two items:
- Students should pick up their test kit prior to leaving campus. Times and locations are listed below. Choose a date and location that works for your schedule and place it on your calendar now so that you don't forget.
- Students should fill out the permission authorization form for the test prior to picking up the test kit itself. It's a Google form, and will save us having to collect paper and eliminate lines caused by students filling out forms. If you could do it right now, while you're reading this email, that would be appreciated.
Thank you for all you are doing to keep the campus community safe, and good luck on your finals!

Adriane Thompson Bradshaw
Vice President for Student Affairs

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Students MUST pick up their testing kit PRIOR to leaving campus. (If you are in a quarantine or isolation situation and cannot pick up a kit, the Office of Student Affairs will mail a kit to you.) We will be distributing the tests at various locations to help reduce congestion and keep social distancing possible. All students must complete a permission authorization form that provides contact information for the lab in case you do test positive. This form is a Google electronic form available at this LINK. Please complete the form prior to picking up your test kit.

Students should plan on picking up their test kits as follows.

On Friday, Nov. 13, you can pick up your test kit from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in one of these locations:
- Business students - Dicke Atrium
- Engineering students - James Lehr Kennedy Lobby, parking lot side
- Pharmacy students - Giant Eagle Student Lounge
- Law students - Tilton Hall Clemens Lounge
- A&S students:
  - Mathile Lobby (with the water feature)
  - Presser Lobby
  - Freed Center Lobby
  - Field House indoor track area
On Saturday, Nov. 14, you can pick up your test kit in McIntosh Center outside of the dining hall from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

On Monday, Nov. 16, and Tuesday Nov. 17, you can pick up your test kit from 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in one of these locations:
- Business students - Dicke Atrium
- Engineering students - James Lehr Kennedy Lobby, parking lot side
- Pharmacy students - Giant Eagle Student Lounge
- Law students - Tilton Hall Clemens Lounge
- A&S students:
  - Mathile Lobby (with the water feature)
  - Presser Lobby
  - Freed Center Lobby
  - Field House indoor track area
Your test kit is keyed to your identification, and cannot be exchanged with someone else. Please make sure you keep your test kit separate from your roommate’s kit.

The test kit will have specific instructions. In essence, the general process will be that on Monday, Jan. 11, you spit saliva into the kit’s container, place the container in the mailer, seal the postage-paid mailer, and drop it in the U.S. mail on the same day. (Note: Law students will wait until Jan. 18 to complete the sample.) We will be sending you reminders in January with further guidance. This is a PCR test. ONU HealthWise will call students who test positive, and an email will be sent to all students who test negative. Do not return to campus until you have received the test result email or been cleared from isolation.

If you do not pick up your test kit prior to leaving campus, you will be charged $10 to have the kit mailed to you. If you lose your test kit between now and January, you will be charged $45 for a replacement kit. Find a safe spot in your home where you will remember where you placed the test kit!

If you have questions about this required Return to Campus Safe testing process, please email questions@onu.edu
Return Home Safe Testing Program

Students,

As you prepare to finish the semester and then depart campus, ONU is offering a free, voluntary COVID-19 testing program. This opportunity is designed to give students helpful information as they leave campus and return home. Appointments are available weekdays starting Nov. 12 and extending through Nov. 20.

Appointments are required in order to be tested. It is anticipated the test should take no more than 10 minutes.

To schedule, please click HERE to access a calendar, select an open appointment, enter your name and click save to finalize the appointment. Please also complete the attached consent form and bring it with you to your appointment. A reminder email will be sent to you to confirm your appointment selection. (If you are traveling to a state that requires you to carry documentation of a recent negative test result to avoid quarantine, ONU HealthWise also can issue that for you.) In order to participate in this voluntary testing program, you must sign up for an appointment by Saturday, Nov. 14. We will not be able to accommodate walk-ins.

As you are making plans to depart campus, please remember that campus residence halls close for the break and campus dining also is unavailable after dinner on Friday, Nov. 20. The University does not anticipate having students isolate or quarantine on campus.

If you have any questions about this testing program protocols, please contact ONU HealthWise at healthwise@onu.edu. Thank you for helping to keep the campus safe this semester.

Adriane Thompson Bradshaw
Vice President for Student Affairs

Michael Rush
Director of ONU HealthWise
To all members of the University community,

This is a consequential week for our University and for our nation.

As we enter the final week of classes during our Covid in-person semester and with final exams scheduled for next week, the coronavirus is soaring in Ohio. This heightens our concern and increases the need to be extra vigilant in these next two weeks.

Because of everyone’s tremendous efforts to be safe up to this point, it is very likely we will complete this term in person. Due to the current conditions in our state and the country, we are developing plans for a Return Home Safe Testing program for all students and a Return to Campus Safe Testing program. In brief, the Return Home Safe Testing program is a voluntary effort to make testing available to any student who would like to be tested before they return home. We will be sending out a Student-L email early this week with appointment links at the ONU Healthwise testing center. Appointments for voluntary testing will be on weekdays from Thursday, Nov. 12 through Friday, Nov. 20.

The Return to Campus Safe Testing program is our baseline testing program for next semester. All degree-seeking students will be asked to complete a saliva-based test on Jan. 11 and place that sample into the U.S. mail for processing prior to their return to campus. Students will be asked to pick up their test kit (which includes the postage free mailer) prior to departing campus. More information on how the test kits will be distributed will be announced via the Student-L later this week.

Moving from the campus to the country, on Saturday the status of ballot counting in the national election led to projecting that former Vice President Joseph Biden would become the nation’s 46th president. He and his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, acknowledged this outcome in acceptance speeches Saturday evening, as President Elect and Vice President Elect, respectively. President Trump has not conceded, his campaign intends to file lawsuits regarding the election results and at least one state has announced a recount.

Our civic duty at this time is to continue to be civil toward each other as the election concludes. I am grateful that so many members of our community were active in the political process during this election and hope that your civic engagement remains as the nation’s political leaders pursue the important issues facing America.

Stay safe and take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
To all ONU Students,

We have successfully concluded Week 12 of Fall Semester because you are doing the right things and doing things right where COVID safety is concerned. Many thanks for your continued cooperation and commitment.

Despite a fall surge of the coronavirus in the local community, our county and the state, we are very, very close to completing the semester on campus with in-person education. To do so will require continued dedication and vigilance by everyone.

There are two special days coming up quickly – Halloween tomorrow and Election Day on Tuesday – that deserve our attention as we move toward completing the semester in person together. With that in mind, we are writing with two requests.

The first request is to use an abundance of commonsense on Halloween, tomorrow night. Please do not socially gather in numbers larger than 10 or in ways that would risk your health and safety and the health and safety of others. Foregoing a Halloween party this year is definitely a smart move. Local conditions in the wider community have changed for the worse, and as a result the Ada Schools will be transitioning to remote learning for the next three weeks starting on Monday, and a local bar has been closed due to COVID. With these trends, we need to be extra cautious and safe.

The second request concerns Election Day. It is an understatement to note that we are in the midst of a heated presidential race. Voting has begun in many states, the polls will be open on Tuesday, and it is predicted that a record number of votes may be cast. Democracy depends on an active citizenry, and this election is motivating more Americans to turn out to vote.

Passions run high on both sides. We are glad that so many students have engaged in this election, worked to register voters, debated issues and supported candidates of their choice.

Whether your candidate wins or not, we have an obligation to be civil and respectful toward each other as those results are updated and ultimately known.

One of ONU’s core values is integrity, which includes the expectation of respect for others. It is so important for us to live up to that expectation as we interact with each other in the wake of Tuesday's election.

So, in short, forgo that large Halloween party tomorrow, enjoy that extra hour of sleep on Saturday night for Daylight Saving Time, don’t forget to vote, and be kind to each other whatever Tuesday’s outcome.

#MakeItToFinals and take good care,
Dan DiBiasio, President
Adriane Thompson Bradshaw, Vice President for Student Affairs
To all members of the University community,

IMPORTANT REQUEST: Discussions with most of those who are being tested due to the presence of Covid symptoms reveal that their exposure occurred during home visits for family or social gatherings. With this in mind and due to Ohio's increasing positive case trend, I am asking and we are strongly encouraging students to stay on campus for the rest of the semester and not to travel on the weekends. You should refrain from home visits unless it is necessary to do so. Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping to keep our campus community as healthy and safe as possible.

To finish this semester on campus, in person, we need to be attentive to following the ONU COVID Safety Plan – wear masks (cover nose and mouth), maintain proper distance from others, practice good hand hygiene, monitor temperatures daily, clean and disinfect frequently, and avoid large social gatherings, whether on campus or off campus which includes when at home.

The ONU COVID-19 Testing Dashboard displays the results from weekly surveillance testing, and recovered cases, and is updated every Monday.

You may check onu.edu/covid-19 for additional safety information, and also check the local health department website.

Sincerely,
Dan DiBiasio, President
To all members of the campus community,

As a follow up to the announcement last Wednesday, Oct. 21, about a pause in all athletic activities, I am writing to report on the status of that pause in light of current Covid conditions on campus among student-athletes and testing results to date.

The good news to share is that since Wednesday, there have been both a significant drop in the number of student-athletes reporting Covid symptoms and no additional student-athletes testing positive. At the same time, we are mindful that Hardin County has moved to a red alert level last Thursday. Considering these factors and trends, we will not return athletics to full Phase Three level participation at this time. Instead, a more gradual return to athletic activity is authorized.

Beginning today, Oct. 26, all teams may resume practices in a limited contact capacity as proposed by ONU Team Physician, Dr. Jason Hageman, and Head Athletic Trainer, Krisi Hatem, and as further reviewed by ONU athletics and senior-level administrators.

After one week, this limited contact gradual return will be reviewed to determine what measures make sense for athletics going forward.

In addition, as of today, Oct. 26, the ONU Sports Center – King Horn and Fieldhouse facilities – will reopen to all students, faculty and staff as they were prior to the pause. The weight room in Dial-Roberson Stadium also will reopen, and academic classes in King Horn will continue to meet.

I appreciate everyone’s cooperation as we push ahead and do our best in these last few weeks of the semester to stay safe and stay in person.

Many thanks and take good care,
Dan DiBiasio
President
To all members of the campus community,

As a follow up to both last Friday’s and this Monday's communications, I am writing to announce a pause in all athletic activities as a safety measure to curb a recent increase in COVID-19 cases at the University. Although there are no further positive cases from the athletic team reported on last week, five students associated with a second team have tested positive from last Friday to yesterday. The pause in all athletic activities extends through Sunday, Oct. 25, when this decision will be reassessed.

The weight room, fitness center, indoor track, swimming pool and gyms in the ONU Sports Center – King Horn and Fieldhouse – will be closed to all students, faculty and staff during this time. The weight room in Dial-Roberson Stadium also will be closed for these days. Academic classes in King Horn will continue to meet.

The athletic training room in the ONU Sports Center will remain open for all acute athletic injuries and illnesses. If an athlete needs to see athletic training for rehabilitation or a new injury, please contact your athletic trainer to make an appointment. Walk-ins will not be seen during this pause in order to decrease the number of student-athletes in contact with each other. If an athlete’s athletic trainer is not available, please call 419-772-2456 to make an appointment.

Recent testing and contact tracing reveal that COVID-19 is spreading in relatively small numbers between athletic teams, and not in classrooms or other academic settings. Thus, this pause is necessary to keep our student-athletes, their coaches and our campus as safe as possible.

As I have said many times during this pandemic, I appreciate your patience and understanding, especially among all of our student-athletes during this pause for continuing to do their best to be safe.

Take good care,
Dan DiBiasio
President
Good Friday Morning, ONU Community,

We are writing to you because we are very concerned.

After 10 weeks of success, positive Covid cases are on the rise on our campus, across the country and in our state. Too many people are letting their guard down (and their masks, too), resulting in clusters of the virus popping up in places that had previously seen low numbers.

We are seeing positive cases increasing on campus due to a small cluster of six students and staff members associated with an athletic team. With more testing to complete today, we have already had the 3rd highest number of positive cases and have quarantined the highest number of people in one week. More students were quarantined this week than for the entire month of September. Despite these increases, the overall number of active cases is still relatively small and enables us to safely continue with in-person education at present.

To finish this semester on campus, in person, we know what we have to do. We have to wear our masks (covering noses and mouths). We have to maintain proper distance from others. We have to practice good hand hygiene and monitor our temperature daily. We have to avoid large social gatherings, whether on campus, off campus or back home. In short, we need to abide by our campus safety plan – when we are on campus and off campus. There is no substitute for these safety measures. We can either do them and increase our chances of finishing the semester together, or ignore them and risk a further spike in cases that could pause in-person education.

We are mindful that it has been a long 10 weeks, and everyone has Covid fatigue, yet the weeks ahead of us are less than those behind us. We can do this; we can #MakeItToFinals. Mask Up Polar Bears (covering both nose and mouth). Maintain the 6 foot distance between yourself and others. Remind your friends and fellow community members when you see them failing to do these things. Let's finish this semester strong, on campus and together.

Remember, Polar Bears Keep Each Other Safe,
Dan DiBiasio, President
Adriane Thompson Bradshaw, Vice President for Student Affairs
To all members of the campus community,

Today marks another significant milestone in our quest to complete fall semester with in-person education. We are in Week 10 of fall semester, nearly two thirds of the way to accomplishing our goal.

Chris and I are so grateful to everyone for your commitment, patience and ability to make the adjustments that being safe during Covid requires and for all that it has taken us to get us this far. On behalf of the University administration, we want to say THANK YOU in a tangible way.

STUDENTS: Please stop by the tables located between the Chapel and Heterick Library on Tuesday between noon to 2 p.m. and Wednesday between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to pick up a special treat being handed out with the assistance of Student Senate. Please follow the signage and traffic flow to adhere to social distancing.

FACULTY AND STAFF: A special treat will be delivered to your work areas on Monday afternoon. A group of student volunteers are helping with this delivery. Please encourage them to stay Polar Bear strong.

Throughout these challenging times, the University has been guided by science and commonsense, both have served us well. We are now moving to a time when science is telling us we need to be even more diligent in our efforts to maintain the positive outcomes we have enjoyed to this point.

For students in particular, many who are here 24/7, we know that adhering to all the requirements of the safety plan and the Protect ONU Polar Pledge can lead to fatigue, and there may be a tendency to let your guard down. The weather is changing, and you will be spending more time inside where social distancing may be harder to maintain. In addition, the flu season is approaching, which is another reason for extra caution. If you haven’t been to ONU HealthWise to get a free flu shot, please do so as soon as you can.

As we head into the homestretch of the semester, this is not the time for complacency. Let’s be grateful that we have made it to Week 10, humble about making such progress and hopeful that we’ll continue to set a positive example of how to learn in person and be safe together.

Take good care,
Dan DiBiasio
President
Ohio Northern wishes to provide an update to the guidance for groups that are planning meetings and events this semester.

Our primary focus is to keep students, faculty and staff safe and be able to remain on campus for in-person classes. ONU continues to monitor the climbing number of current COVID-19 cases in the state of Ohio and will continue to make adjustments to our Safety Plan.With our campus community returning, we must be cautious and practical with limiting large gatherings. At this time, the University is unable to approve requests for a student organizational event of more than 10 people unless the event is taking place outside. We do not anticipate lifting these restrictions until the case numbers start moving in a downward direction.

Virtual meetings and/or meetings with less than 10 people in one room are going to be the norm until this virus is more under control. Please continue to submit plans for your outdoor events to the Implementation Team for approval. ( login to my.onu.edu and then click this link, https://my.onu.edu/webform/93701 ) We appreciate your patience, cooperation and understanding.

We need all Polar Bears to join together to keep our campus safe and healthy. Questions should be directed to David Dellifield (d-dellifield@onu.edu) in McIntosh Center.

Juliet K. Hurtig
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Our highest priority is the health, safety and well-being of every member of the ONU community. Ohio Northern is taking an extremely proactive and enhanced disinfecting approach across our campus as we return to in-person instruction. Please find below specific protocols and safety practices that will be implemented by ONU.

EXTENSIVE CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PRACTICES
Sodexo physical plant leadership and staff have received additional training on COVID-19 cleaning and sanitation methods. In addition, they have implemented several new disinfecting protocols and increased cleaning frequency across campus. They include:
- High-touch point areas (doorknobs, handrails, tables, etc.) are cleaned two times per day in common areas by Spotless Cleaning Professionals – a sub-contractor brought in to assist with the hard surface cleaning. This “Enhanced Cleaning Team” can be identified by its black uniforms with fluorescent lettering and ID badges.
- The physical plant grounds crew is disinfecting entry and exit doors twice per day – morning and afternoon.
- McIntosh Center, residence hall common spaces and restrooms, and recreational and athletic facilities are cleaned by the physical plant three times per day.
- Hand sanitizer is readily available in high-contact areas in all buildings.
- Sanitation stations – disinfectant, paper towels and hand sanitizer – are being placed in academic classrooms and labs. Email purchasing@onu.edu to restock sanitation stations.
- Victory Electrostatic Sprayers have been secured to expand the square foot coverage and spread of disinfectant products more broadly. A product demo can be viewed here.
- In most classrooms furniture and furnishing are socially distanced and/or removed to encourage students, faculty and staff to follow the guidance.
- Plexiglass barriers have been installed in some classrooms, computer labs and several main office settings.
- ONU has ordered and is waiting on its shipment of UV lights. Installation will begin immediately upon delivery.
- Two hydroxyl and ozone generators are available on campus and would be used for deep cleaning in the event of a positive case.
- HVAC systems in ONU’s buildings are designed for economic efficiency and comfort varying the air dampers based on outside temperatures. Medical facilities are designed for specific air exchanges and have air handlers with this type of design capability. All campus buildings and rooms have their own air intake and air supply. Air is not shared. All campus buildings also have separate exhausts to remove air.
- Filter changeouts began in March, and have been completed throughout the summer. For specifications on your building, please email p-plant@onu.edu.
- ONU will continually investigate and introduce new sanitizing products, services and techniques that are proven to be effective in mitigating the COVID-19 risk.
RECOMMENDED CLEANING PRACTICES FOR OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS
Faculty, staff and students are responsible for cleaning campus spaces, including offices, reception areas and conference rooms, before and after each use. Please clean/disinfect any surfaces and equipment that you have touched or used.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g. door handles, grab bars, handrails, tables, counters and laundry equipment) twice each day.
- Shared objects (lab and fitness equipment, computer labs, copy machines, etc.) should be cleaned in between each use.
- Limit passing paper documents.
- Remove all public/community access snack foods and candy in dishes and containers and remove reading materials in lobbies and lounges.
- Request cleaning supplies and 8 oz. bottles of sanitizer from purchasing@onu.edu to place in all high traffic areas. Make sure materials are in a central and accessible location.
- Place cleaning products in all shared facilities (e.g. copy machines, coffee stations, etc.) for wiping down surfaces touched before and after every use.
Please follow the signage and guidelines sent to your office or department.

PROTOCOL FOR LIVING AND DINING AREAS
Staggered move-in times to residence halls will ensure proper distancing. Common areas and restrooms in all residence halls will be cleaned three times a day. No overnight guests are allowed in residence halls or apartments.

ONU’s dining facilities – McIntosh Center, WOW Café, Polar Espresso, Northern Lights and COSI – will offer a similar scope of dining services and provide customary quality and value. Dining Services will implement the following Sodexo standards for health and safety:
- Staff will wear face coverings and gloves, wash hands frequently and regularly report on their health, including temperature checks.
- Self-service options are eliminated.
- Serve and go options continue.
- High-touch surfaces will be cleaned frequently with professional grade products.
- There will be limited seating capacity, an updated configuration and floor markers to encourage social distancing.
Due to social distancing and building occupancy guidelines set by the state of Ohio, the McIntosh Center dining hall will only have seating for 100 students, and approximately 80 students can be in the service lines. McIntosh Center Activities Room will offer additional seating options and students are encouraged to dine in alternative locations socially distanced.

Students will enter the dining hall through an alternative entrance in the courtyard area and exit near the McIntosh Center Information Desk to promote one-way traffic. All food options will be served to students in take-out boxes. There will be a grab-n-go station at the front entrance to the dining hall.

Polar Espresso’s operations will be moving to Northern Lights in the Heterick Library. A new service window has been installed on the library’s exterior for more convenience. WOW Café seating and seating in Klondike's will be eliminated and service lines will form in Klondike’s. The C-Store will continue without interruption. COSI will have limited seating capacity, an updated configuration and floor markers to encourage social distancing.

LIMITED GUESTS AND TRAVEL
Non-essential visitors, volunteers and activities on campus will be limited. University-sponsored travel both domestically and internationally will be avoided. Testing and/or isolation may be required for any faculty, staff and students who return from university-sponsored travel.

KLONDIKE’S TEAM
The McIntosh Center Information Desk will manage a group of student workers – Klondike’s Team (KT) – who will be assigned to approved campus events (see Appendix 2 in the Safety Plan). A KT member will provide signage, hand sanitizer for use on entry/exit by all attendees, face coverings to attendees who do not have one, and tissues to cover coughs and sneezes. KT also will track and report event occupancy, wipe down all surfaces after the event concludes, and monitor social distancing.

We recognize that no university, nor any other organization, can guarantee an environment free of COVID-19, and we expect everyone associated with the University to understand that there is a risk of contracting the virus here or anywhere. Every member of our community must share responsibility for taking all necessary steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection. This means adhering to national, state and local health guidelines, and following ONU’s requirements and practices. Please check onu.edu/covid-19 for updates.

Jason Broge, Vice President for Financial Affairs
Marc Staley, Physical Plant General Manager
Polar Bears – student-athletes and non-athletes alike – are eager to utilize the amenities that ONU provides for sport, exercise, and strength and conditioning. In order to open and operate ONU Sports Center as safely as possible, we have devised a phased reopening plan with key safeguards in place. The plan is based on current best practices outlined by the State of Ohio and the Kenton Hardin Health Department. The plan could change at any point if recommendations are modified due to changing conditions.

As a reminder, ONU has a sprawling campus, so we strongly encourage you to make use of our beautiful outdoor spaces, including the Green Monster, for physical fitness activities.

Phase 1:
In phase 1, the free weight room, cardio/weight room and field house will open for use by ONU student-athletes and students ONLY. The pool will remain closed, with the exception of athletes on the swim team. The facilities will be cleaned and disinfected daily, and a cleaning schedule will be posted in each room. Non-academic reservations will not be accepted in phase 1.

Hours:
From Aug. 4-7, the facilities will open for the limited hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

After classes begin on Aug. 10, facility hours will be:

ONU student-athletes only
Monday-Friday: 5:30-8 a.m. & 3-6 p.m.

All ONU students
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 7-11 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 7-9 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 11 p.m.

Procedures:
- All ONU students must adhere to the following safeguard procedures when visiting King Horn/Sports Center.
- Current students will need to present a valid ONU ID upon entry. Temperature checks will be conducted at the door. To be admitted, the student must have a temperature below 100.4.
- Students are asked to self-monitor and not enter if showing any COVID-19 symptoms.
- Users will need to sign in upon arrival and sign out upon exit.
- Users will be given 60 minutes to use the facility.
- The weight room and fitness room will be limited to 10 people at any one time.
- The field house will be limited to 150 people at any one time.
- Users must maintain 6 feet (2 arms’ length) of physical distance while in the facilities.
- Face coverings are required when passing other workout areas and when spotting someone’s repetitions.
- Students who are waiting to use the facility must wait in the bleacher area in the designated seats.
- Users will be required to clean their workout areas after use. Cleaning supplies and instructions will be provided.
- Users will NOT be allowed to congregate in common areas.
- The Dial-Roberson weight room can only be utilized by ONU student-athletes, and a coach must be in attendance monitoring the room and enforcing social distancing.
Outdoor Facilities:
- Dial-Roberson Stadium and Kerscher Stadium fields and track are open for use with the expectation that social distancing practices will be followed.
- Tennis courts are open with the expectation that social distancing practices will be followed.
- The Green Monster is open with the expectation that social distancing practices will be followed.
- The Disc Golf course is open with the expectation that social distancing practices will be followed.
Grass fields are open with the expectation that social distancing practices will be followed.

Phase 2:
We anticipate launching phase 2 around mid-September. In phase 2, the facilities would open to ONU faculty and staff. In addition, the front gymnasium and pool would open. All the safeguard procedures in phase 1 would remain in place.

Phase 3:
We anticipate launching phase 3 the first day of classes in spring semester. In phase 3, the facilities would open to visitors (18 or older) with passes for workout purposes, and we would begin to allow non-academic groups to make facility reservations.

We would continue to follow all safety protocols outlined by the State of Ohio and the Kenton Hardin Health Department at the time.

Tom Simmons, Director of Athletics
Michele Durand, Assistant Director of Athletics
Welcome Back!

With more than 150 recognized student organizations on campus, ONU has developed some meeting and event processes to ensure the health and safety of everyone this fall semester. Appendix 2 of the ONU Safety Plan offers some guidelines for student events and references an "Event Planning Form."

So who needs to fill out an Event Planning Form?

Any recognized student organization planning an activity of more than 10 persons should submit for approval via the following web form, https://my.onu.edu/webform/93701 (Must first log in to my.onu.edu to access this link.)

Meetings taking place outside of McIntosh Center will only be covered by Klondike's Team when the Event Planning Form is completed, preferably three days in advance. The approval process will be vetted by the COVID-19 Implementation Team who will inform the organization of the approval or denial on a timely basis. This form will allow Klondike's Team to properly prepare for your approved event.

Meetings of 10 persons or less taking place outside of McIntosh Center will be expected to disinfect the area upon completion of their meeting.

All events (whether less or more than 10) will be expected to require participants to wear facial coverings when indoors, maintain a minimum of 6 feet of separation (including entering and leaving the event space), and avoid circulating physical materials such as handouts or electronic devices (e.g. keyboards).

Questions should be directed to David Dellifield (d-dellifield@onu.edu) in McIntosh Center.

Juliet K. Hurtig
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
To all members of the University community,

On July 22, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a recommended Travel Advisory pertaining to travel to Ohio from Puerto Rico and any of the following nine states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas.

If you are traveling to ONU from one of the above areas in the next few weeks, Ohio Northern University requests that you begin a 10-day self-monitoring period prior to your arrival on campus. If you plan to arrive on campus before you can complete a 10-day self-monitoring period at home, students should contact the ONU Health Center (419-772-2086) and employees should contact the Office of Human Resources (419-772-2013).

The requirements for self-monitoring include:
- Fever via daily temperature checks. A fever is any temperature above 100.4 F.
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Diarrhea
- Loss of smell/taste
- Fatigue
All students with a home address in one of these areas have received a personalized email regarding the travel advisory. If you have any questions about these expectations due to the recommended travel advisory, please contact the ONU Health Center or Office of Human Resources.
Dear ONU Community,

I am pleased to share that on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, the ONU Board of Trustees endorsed the University’s safety plan for resuming in-person education for fall semester 2020. The plan was developed by incorporating the informed efforts of several work groups and special teams, leadership reviews undertaken over several weeks, and helpful suggestions during a campus comment period. The plan can be found at onu.edu/covid-19.

From the beginning, everyone associated with contributing to the safety plan has been guided by three principles:
- The Safety Principle – a commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of all who live, work, and learn at Northern,
- The Quality Principle – a commitment to quality education as the hallmark of the ONU experience, and
- The Financial Responsibility Principle – a commitment to responsibly meeting the University’s fiscal obligations.
Thus, the plan that has been developed is a framework that will continue to be reviewed and fine-tuned throughout the summer to ensure continued compliance with guidance from federal and state governments and the local health department.

Key elements of the plan include:
- Daily hygiene practices, including required temperature self-monitoring.
- Requiring all employees and students to wear face coverings in campus buildings, except in the privacy of their workspaces or residence hall rooms; wearing face coverings outdoors is encouraged when social distance is not possible.
- Mandatory testing for all student athletes in fall intercollegiate sports and students who participate in marching band. Periodic surveillance testing during the semester of an appropriate sample of faculty, staff and students.
- Reduction of residence hall density as well as identification of up to 12 quarantine and isolation spaces.
- Creation of a Polar Pledge related to health and safety requirements.
- Modification of the fall academic calendar to establish an early start and early finish semester, with finals week ending by Nov. 20, 2020, the week before Thanksgiving.
- Development of a classroom and lab management plan to ensure physical distancing. This includes employing a combination of instructional methods that maximize in-person education and use remote learning options as well.
- Implementation of practices and policies to address the needs of faculty, staff and students who have underlying health issues.
- Suspension of University-sponsored travel, except under special circumstances.
- Provision of safety kits for faculty, staff and students including supplies such as a thermometer, hand sanitizer and facial coverings.
- Transition to virtual formats for many large events and development of policies for holding smaller, in-person campus events.
- Selecting a point of contact person who can assist with general questions about the plan and a number of office contacts as references for addressing specific information needs.
The process we engaged in drew heavily on the expertise of our faculty, especially those in medical and allied health fields. We also worked closely with other University partners, especially staff from the Kenton Hardin Health Department who also approved the safety plan.

I greatly appreciate the work of the faculty and staff who served on the work groups and special teams and the efforts of senior leaders on campus as well. We still have much to do. By continuing to do that work together, we can look forward to success this fall coming together to resume in-person education on our beautiful campus.
To all members of the University community,

As we continue preparations to safely resume in-person education for the fall semester, I want to make everyone aware of one important decision regarding the academic calendar.

The announcement on May 7, 2020, to return to in-person, residential education this fall was conditioned on the University’s ability to be in alignment with state government required safety measures and consistent with CDC guidelines and other community health safeguards regarding COVID-19. To accomplish this, five faculty and staff work groups were formed to engage in collaborative planning for the upcoming school year.

Three core principles and values guided the work groups in their deliberations, namely:
- The Safety Principle - a commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of all who live, work, and learn at Northern,
- The Quality Principle - a commitment to quality education as the hallmark of the ONU experience, and
- The Financial Responsibility Principle – a commitment to responsibly meeting the University’s fiscal obligations.
From the start of these discussions, the academic calendar emerged as an important consideration to ensure our faculty, staff and students are as safe as possible while still maintaining the tradition of a quality ONU education and experience.

With that in mind, the Academic Work Group has recommended an Early Start Early Finish academic calendar for fall semester. The reasons for their recommendation are threefold:
- To optimally protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community,
- To maximize safe, in person instruction as much as possible, and
- To ensure considerable flexibility for rapid response in the event of a COVID-19 resurgence in late fall.
As a result, we have developed a revised academic calendar for the fall semester.

All academic programs except law will begin on-campus instruction on Monday, August 10, with classes held on Labor Day and during the traditional two-day fall break of October 12 and 13. The term will end with a final examination week from November 16 - 20. Students studying in the College of Law will start on Monday, August 24, concluding on Friday, November 20, and complete their two-week final examination period remotely.

This revised calendar is one way in which the University is following guidance from the CDC regarding the coronavirus. ONU will conclude all fall semester in-person instruction prior to Thanksgiving, before the flu season ramps up. Additionally, this calendar eliminates breaks during the fall semester when students may incur additional risk of infection due to departing campus to many destinations and returning to campus after a short time away.

There will be additional notifications as further plans for the coming academic year develop. We are very much looking forward to resuming in-person education for fall semester and thank you in advance for your cooperation and flexibility as we make this adjustment to the fall academic calendar.
To all members of the University community,

As many of you know, on April 30, 2020, Ohio’s Director of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, issued a state government order effective until May 29, 2020, authorizing businesses to reopen, with exceptions, and continuing elements of previous stay at home orders. The new Director’s Stay Safe Ohio Order (DSSOO) has implications for colleges and universities in general and ONU in particular.

In short, there are requirements of the order that apply to all types of businesses, for-profit and non-profit, and other requirements that apply to certain sectors. The sector that most aligns with higher education is labeled “Consumer, Retail, and Services,” and the requirements for that sector are effective on Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

With that in mind, one purpose of this communication is to announce how the University will comply with the DSSOO. Another purpose is to inform you that ONU will resume in person admissions visits for prospective students and student athletes and their families on May 12, 2020. These visits will be controlled and conducted in alignment with the requirements of the DSSOO. Virtual admissions visits will continue as well.

Before listing the new requirements for ONU employees, it is important to be mindful that unlike many other businesses, ONU was never closed. The DSSOO permits us to resume some previous suspended activities, such as in person admissions visits. In addition, the DSSOO intends for people to stay at home to the extent feasible.

Consequently, for May the University will continue to encourage staff to work from home so long as they have developed a work plan with their supervisors and that plan is approved by the appropriate vice president or dean. Also, note that the DSSOO continues closures of several operations that impact ONU, at least until May 29, 2020. They include child care, gyms, indoor sports facilities, fitness centers, swimming pools, stadiums, auditoriums, music halls, residential and day camps, and restaurants, although take out orders are available at The Inn.

For faculty, administrative and support staff who do come to campus, here are the actions the University is taking to align with the DSSOO from May 12 - May 29, 2020:
- Employees who are working remotely are encouraged to continue to do so at this time (DSSOO, 21. c. ii.), in accordance with University policy as cited above.
- All employees are required to take their temperature each morning before coming into work and will sign a consent form acknowledging they understand and will comply with this requirement (DSSOO, 21. b. ii). Thermometers are available on campus in several locations for employees to use if the employee does not have one.
- All employees are required to wear a face covering while working in an open workspace or public environment (DSSOO, 8.). ONU will provide a disposable face covering to any employee who does not have one.
- Employees with medical conditions prohibiting them from wearing a face covering may be required to provide notice of their medical condition to Human Resources (DSSOO, 8.).
- Employees who work alone in a private, enclosed area or office are not required to wear their face covering during the time they are alone (DSSOO, 8. e.).
- Hand sanitizers will be placed in high contact areas (DSSOO, 21. b. vi.).
- Employees are required to wash their hands regularly (DSSOO, 21. b. v.).
- Proper Social Distancing of a minimum of 6 feet should be adhered to at all times (DSSOO, 21. b. i.).
- Employees who are symptomatic are required to stay at home (DSSOO, 21. iii.).
- A written form from a physician may be required to return to work after an illness in accordance with current policy. (DSSOO, 20. b.).
- While working on campus, please attempt to move to an electronic format whenever possible, and reduce sharing of paper and supplies whenever feasible. (DSSOO,21 .c. vii.).
- Students, guests, visitors and contractors are required to wear a face covering (DSSOO, 21. iv.). ONU will provide a disposable face covering to any student, guest, visitor, or contractor who does not have one.
- A guest, visitor, or contractor who is symptomatic is not permitted on campus (DSSOO, 21. iv.). Students who are symptomatic will be quarantined on campus or return home.
If you have any questions about these actions, please contact Human Resources.

Once again, I want to thank everyone for your continued patience, understanding, cooperation and hard work during these challenging times. The Polar Bear community continues to be determined and dedicated. I am grateful and appreciate all of your efforts.
To all members of the University community,

As we have faced an unprecedented time of challenge and change for nearly a month, the health and safety of all Ohio Northern University students was and remains of utmost importance.

Going forward, we continue to monitor and evaluate conditions as they evolve further and base future academic decisions on what is best for our students and the continuity of teaching and learning.

One of the conditions we have been closely monitoring are national and international advisories for travel. Ohio Northern’s current COVID-19 travel guidelines call for all non-essential University business travel by air, train or bus be suspended for the rest of spring semester for faculty, staff and students.

At this time, we are extending our COVID-19 travel guidelines and adopting further restrictions for the safety of our campus community. These revised travel policies and procedures will supersede the existing Travel Policy for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and can be found in its entirety at https://my.onu.edu/business_services_and_purchasing/travel_policies along with the appropriate forms.

International Travel
On March 31, 2020 the U.S. Dept. of State extended the Global Health Advisory Level 4: Do Not Travel for an indefinite period of time. Thus,
- All university-sponsored international travel is suspended. All travel that has been scheduled through June 30, 2020, must be canceled, and no new travel may be booked until further notice.
Domestic Travel
- All non-essential University-related travel within the United States by air, train or bus is suspended for the rest of spring semester for faculty, staff and students.
- Until further notice, no new University-related domestic travel by air, train or bus may be booked without prior approval of the President or Provost. Those seeking to book future domestic travel must complete the applicable approval form: Travel Including Students or Faculty/Staff Travel at least 60 days in advance.
Ohio Northern also has outlined guidance on this website for reimbursement of university-related travel that must be canceled, and for purchase of upcoming travel as well as some important notes.

These tough decisions are made with the utmost safety and health of our faculty, staff and students as the priority. We will continue to monitor travel advisories and will inform the campus community when we are able to return to a less stringent travel policy.

Sincerely,

Dan DiBiasio, President
Maria Cronley, Provost
Dear Students and Families,

We’ve had a lot to absorb since Tuesday, March 10, 2020, when Ohio Governor Mike DeWine requested that all colleges and universities in the state move to remote learning. The action he called for was intended to promote social distancing on campuses and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Together with more recent actions, from closing K-12 schools to a Stay at Home Order, life as we knew and loved it on our campus has been upended.

Nonetheless, due to the resilience of the ONU community, we are moving forward together to save the semester. I am incredibly grateful for how everyone is demonstrating flexibility, creativity and collective action, especially our faculty who have displayed amazing academic dexterity in pivoting to alternative and remote instruction so quickly and so well.

I also deeply appreciate the understanding and support of our students and their families during these turbulent times and am grateful for your patience as we developed our policies and procedures regarding room, board, and fees. What follows will provide you with some general information about these important issues.

Students with a room and board contract and who have not remained on campus will receive a 40% credit of room and meal plan charges. This percent is consistent with the schedule published in the 2019-20 Student Handbook. Depending on your individual billing circumstances, some or all of the credit may be refunded. A more detailed set of instructions about your options for these credits will be sent tomorrow, Thursday, March 26.

Unlike student room and meal plan contracts, student fees are not prorated. There are several reasons for this. The General Student Fee, for example, supports a variety of student services, partially or entirely, services which are or may still be utilized in some fashion for the entire semester. A notable example is IT, which has experienced increased expenses for remote learning resources due to COVID-19. Individual course fees and the Engineering Fee are spent on supplies and equipment related to learning and are typically expended at the beginning of the semester. Therefore, those fees have been spent.

In closing, I do want to say something about Commencement. The reason we have not yet made a formal or official announcement about commencement is because we are determined to give the Class of 2020 and their families an opportunity to have a celebratory graduation ceremony, one that they richly deserve. While it is unlikely that this will happen on the scheduled date, several options are under consideration. We hope to announce a decision early next month.

During these past few weeks we have had to remain nimble in order to protect the health and safety of our students and our workforce, to continue educating our students and to operate the University effectively. Everyday, we realize more and more that we are all in this together, and we will all get through this together, because our spirit is Polar Bear strong and we are a caring community.

Stay healthy, be safe and take good care,

Daniel A. DiBiasio
President
To all members of the University community,

As we faced an unprecedented time of challenge and change last week, the health and safety of all Ohio Northern University students was and remains of utmost importance.

Going forward, we continue to monitor and evaluate conditions as they evolve further and base future academic decisions on what is best for our students and the continuity of teaching and learning. After considering new information presented in the past few days, we write today to share that we have made the difficult decision to extend remote education for the rest of the semester. Effective TOMORROW, March 17, 2020 we will move ALL instruction into alternative, remote delivery mode, including laboratories and all other learning activities that were previously scheduled to occur in person, a change that will further encourage social distancing.

Several factors contributed to this decision, including:
- Ohio Department of Health Director, Dr. Amy Acton’s announcement on Friday, March 13, that Ohio’s outbreak of the COVID-19 is not expected to peak until between late April and mid-May.
- The academic benefits of enabling faculty and students to plan for remote course delivery during the coming months
- A desire to bring clarity regarding the University’s plans for students and their families
- The continuing concern for the health and safety of the campus community amid the rapidly growing spread of COVID-19 in Ohio and the confidence that we can remain safe and healthy by practicing evidence-based, preventive measures recommended by federal, state, and local health organizations
- Governor DeWine’s recent order to close all K-12 schools from March 17- April 3, an order that may be extended according to his recent statements
- Dr. Acton’s Executive Order announced on March 15 that further limits public gatherings by closing all restaurants. This order applies to all campus dining facilities which will operate as take-out only.
We know that this announcement represents a significant change from communications sent last week, indicating that we would re-evaluate alternative and remote learning prior to April 17. At the time, we thought the possibility existed that COVID-19’s spread might be mitigated by next month. The latest reports, however, reveal otherwise.

Given this new information, the prospect of resuming in-person classroom instruction by April 17 is increasingly unlikely; thus, we feel this decision is in the University’s best interest at this time.

This latest change raises several questions, some of which we will not be able to answer immediately. We can, however, announce the following additional changes:
- Students will be required to move out of the residence halls by Sunday, March 22, 2020, at 5 pm. There will be exceptions made for students whose personal circumstances make it necessary for them to stay on campus. Additional information about the move out process, how to apply for an exception to remain on campus, and a policy regarding refunds/rebates for room and board is forthcoming. We encourage students to move out as soon as practical and have urged faculty to be flexible regarding their assignments and any synchronous instruction during this move out week.
- Information regarding University dining during this week and beyond will be sent in a separate communication.
- University buildings are closed to the general public, including suspending Admissions visits by prospective students and their families until further notice. Deliveries of mail and packages will continue.
- The ONU Health Center, Counseling Center, Healthwise Pharmacy and The Inn’s hotel operations will remain open to the public, including take out options only for The Inn’s restaurant.
- ONU HealthWise Community Pharmacy will remain open with regular hours. The pharmacy has extended its home prescription delivery service to all patients in Hardin County, and to anyone living within 40 miles of the pharmacy including Lima and Findlay. Curbside pick-up at the pharmacy also is available. Individuals interested in this service should call 419-772-3784. The pharmacy can transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies to allow anyone to take advantage of this service. The pharmacy can mail prescriptions to a student at their home through the remainder of the spring and summer. Prescriptions may be refilled through the website, the app and by telephone (419-772-3784).
- The Child Development Center will remain open for the time being.
- We will also suspend in-person job interviews for searches currently underway and encourage the use of electronic interviews (Skype, Zoom, etc.) as an interim solution until further notice.
Although campus buildings are closed to the public at this time, the University remains open. To be sure, changes in some services may impact staff work schedules, which will be determined as this fluid situation evolves. ONU employees who are at high-risk, vulnerable to COVID-19 or must care for themselves or dependents due to virus-related matters may need to tele-commute, and we will work to accommodate these individuals. For others, tele-commuting flexibility is at the discretion of the supervisor with the approval of the appropriate dean or vice president. Please contact your supervisor and Human Resources for additional information.

Finally, we wish we could be more definite about whether the commencement ceremonies and related activities will be able to proceed as planned and will provide updates as we have more information. Regardless, we will make arrangements for all students to receive their diplomas and other items (awards and honor cords) related to commencement. We definitely are committed to trying to hold our commencement ceremonies.

We are grateful for your understanding and patience during this fluid time when collective action and cooperation are paramount and our commitment to the continuity of alternative and remote learning is imperative.

Sincerely,

Dan DiBiasio, President

Maria Cronley, Provost
To all members of the University community,

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, I have, not surprisingly, another update for your information.

With the governor’s announcement that Ohio K-12 schools are closing until April 3, and potentially many other childcare facilities that may consider doing so as well, Human Resources is quickly gathering information regarding requests for accommodating dependent child care needs of our employees. The University is adding 15 days of sick leave to help employees who may need to care for their children, who may become ill or who may care for an immediate household family. More information about sick leave will be disseminated by the vice presidents and deans.

Also related to school children, the Ada Exempted Village School District is notifying its students and parents that Ohio Northern buildings are closed to the local community for non-campus visitors at this time. This includes the children of ONU faculty and staff. This is a change in policy for those that have brought their children to work occasionally, or if an employee has brought their children with them while using the King Horn athletic facilities. We appreciate your cooperation during this time when we are taking many health and safety precautions.

As we continue to update you frequently, I also want you to know that a notice was sent earlier today to ONU parents summarizing the actions taken by the University during this unprecedented week.

Additionally, the ONU Health Center has sent out some “best practice tips” regarding staying healthy during this time. Our Dining Services is also focused on maintaining a safe environment for students. They are heavily promoting the use of the existing to-go meal program, and have implemented a number of anti-contamination mitigation practices such as educational and informational signage, single-use paper to handle common utensils, increased availability of hand sanitizer, increased surface cleaning, and relocating or eliminating easily contaminated products such as bagels/bread and scoopable ice cream.

With all this said, the situation is quite fluid and we will continue to assess and evaluate each day as we get further information.

The University’s COVID-19 Taskforce held its first meeting yesterday and will be meeting weekly going forward. Among the priorities they will be discussing are business and financial continuity plans and identifying all that would need to occur if ONU were forced to close its residence halls, libraries, and other academic and student support services. I am very appreciative of our colleagues who have agreed to serve on the Task Force. They include the following members: Dan DiBiasio, Maria Cronley, Julie Hurtig, Karen Schroeder, Lynda Nyce, Marc Staley, Anthony Rivera, Adriane Thompson-Bradshaw, Justin Courtney, Noah Ristau, Bill Ballard, Vicki Niese, Tonya Paul, Amy Prigge, Nate Oblizajek, Jeff Rieman, Rod Anderson, Michele Durand, Tallene Eichelberger, Greg Horne, Steve Martin and Karen Kier.

As we close this eventful week, please know that we are grateful to all who have adapted so quickly and are adjusting so well, especially to our excellent faculty for transitioning their instruction to remote delivery, to our administrative and support staff for your patience and cooperation, and to the senior administrative team for their leadership.

Your safety and the well-being of our community are our top priorities, and I appreciate your support as we work through this challenging time together.

Many thanks and take good care,
President Daniel A. DiBiasio
Dear ONU Parents,

As this unprecedented week of challenge and change comes to a close, I want to reach out to ONU parents to summarize how the University has swiftly and proactively responded to the current stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As many of you may know, on Tuesday, March 10th, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made several recommendations to the state’s colleges and universities intended to mitigate the risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus. ONU embraced the Governor’s recommendations and the same day announced a series of social distancing practices and other measures. Specifically, the University has taken the following actions:
- Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, suspended all traditional classroom instruction, except some laboratory sessions, and transitioned to alternative and remote instructional delivery until April 17, 2020
- Immediately cancelled all large indoor gatherings and public events until April 17, 2020
- Immediately limited attendance to all faculty, staff and student organization meetings to 25 or fewer until April 17, 2020
- Immediately suspended all non-essential University business travel by air, train or bus until April 17, 2020
- Immediately suspended all university-related student travel until April 17, 2020
- Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, cancelled the spring sports season in conjunction with the other nine members of the Ohio Athletic Conference
- The University remains open to serve students in a healthy and safe way. The main reason for moving classes from a traditional delivery format to alternative and remote delivery is to significantly reduce the occasions of communal gathering where many students are in close proximity with one another, making social distancing almost impossible.
Labs, on the other hand, are different learning environments. They are smaller, often structured in clusters or in spaces that permit social distancing. Some labs may be offered in a virtual environment. Others require physical presence. If students do not want to remain enrolled in a lab that is meeting face-to-face, they have the option of electing an incomplete grade and completing the course at a later time.

Similarly, students can live and eat in residence halls, apartments, and the dining hall in safe and healthy ways. This can be accomplished by following reasonable health and safety measures designed to keep residence hall rooms and apartments clean. Our dining hall is large enough that it includes several different, nearly separate spaces. Diners can use those spaces in ways that are safe and that enable social distancing. In addition, students who do not want to eat in the dining hall can take advantage of the popular takeout option.

Also, Dining Services has implemented an additional layer of protection at points of service with the introduction of single-use "delicatessen" wax paper throughout operations. Signage explains and encourages students to use this paper as a barrier between their hands and shared surfaces; one disposable sheet can be used to handle all spoons, tongs, knobs, buttons, etc. that would otherwise be touched directly. In tandem, hand sanitizer has been placed with signage asking that it be used before and after touching any surface.

We will be redoubling our efforts during this time to keep residence halls and academic spaces extra clean, focusing especially on greater frequency and intensity of cleaning high touch and highly trafficked surfaces.

Having said the above, I also want to emphasize that we want students to choose what is best for them regarding staying on campus or returning home during this period of flux.

I am very proud of how our faculty has risen to meet the challenges of a different teaching format and appreciative of how the staff at the University has rallied to support students. During the past week, my wife Chris and I have made several trips to the dining hall to check in and engage with our students, to ask how they are doing. We come away from those interactions inspired by our students. To be sure, many are concerned, some even afraid, but most are calm, keeping focused on learning, and trying to be college students in these uncertain times. We are proud of them and dedicated to their health, safety and success.

As a parent, I can understand your concern and worry for the health and safety of your son or daughter. I share that concern as well. You can be assured that we will continue to make students aware of all the support services available to them on campus for their physical health and emotional well being.

Because current conditions are so fluid, I will keep you informed in the weeks and months ahead of any major modifications to our plans going forward. In the meantime, please visit the ONU website for more regular updates.

Thank you and take good care.

Sincerely,
President Daniel A. DiBiasio
Campus Community,

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus, and we are learning more about it every day. This message is sent to underscore some important information to help keep our campus community as safe and healthy as possible. At this point, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Stopping transmission (spread) of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
How can I help protect myself?
There are simple things you can do to help yourself and others stay healthy:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; before eating or preparing food.
- Use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay at home when you are sick.
- Avoid those who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Take a walk outside. You do not need to stay in your room.
- SOCIAL DISTANCING is avoiding crowds if possible.
If you cannot purchase hand sanitizer, make your own. Mix 2/3 cups of 99% rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup of Aloe Vera Gel. Add a fragrance if you wish.

What should I do if I recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19?
If you have traveled from an affected area, there may be restrictions on your movements for up to 2 weeks. If you develop symptoms during that period (fever, cough, trouble breathing), seek medical advice. Call the Health Center or your health care provider before you go, inform them about your recent travel and your symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness. While sick, avoid contact with people and don’t go out. Delay any travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others.

Things you can do to support yourself:
- Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage of COVID-19.
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Engage in other activities you enjoy to return to your normal life.
- Connect with others. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships.
- Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking.
Individuals who feel an overwhelming worry or anxiety or who have stress reactions that interfere with daily activities for several days in a row should seek professional support by calling the Counseling Center (419-772-2190) or Health Center (419-772-2086). People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment plans and monitor for any new symptoms.

Below are additional CDC resources and guidance on this topic:
Self-monitoring of symptoms
Cleaning
When and How to Wash Your Hands
Know the Facts about Covid-19
Frequently Asked Questions

We are here together to keep our campus and community healthy, strong and informed.

Karen L. Schroeder RN, BSN, MBA
ONU Health Center Director
To all members of the University community,

I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding at this time of great flux for the University and our academic programs.

As a follow up to yesterday’s announcement, I am writing to provide you with further clarification of the actions taken to address the COVID-19 outbreak.

First, it is important to clarify that all actions, including suspending all face-to-face instruction, with the exception of laboratory sessions, will be in place until Friday, April 17, 2020. Given the fluid nature of how COVID-19 is impacting Ohio and its communities, this time frame may be adjusted. Any adjustments will be communicated in advance as best we can.

Second, I have received a number of questions from students and parents asking why, if we are moving from face-to-face instruction to online classes, are we still holding labs face-to-face and keeping residence halls and the dining hall open. Some have suggested that this appears to be an inconsistency in our efforts to help students be safe and stay healthy. Let me try to explain briefly why this is not the case.

The main reason for moving classes from face-to-face to online is to significantly reduce the occasions of communal gathering where many students are in close proximity with one another, making social distancing almost impossible. Many laboratory classes are different learning environments. They are smaller, often structured in clusters or in spaces that permit social distancing. That is one of the main reasons why we are keeping laboratories open for face-to-face instruction.

Similarly, students can live and eat in residence halls, apartments, and the dining hall in safe and healthy ways. This can be accomplished by following reasonable health and safety measures designed to keep residence hall rooms and apartments clean. Our dining hall is large enough that it includes several different, nearly separate spaces. Diners can use those spaces in ways that are safe and that enable social distancing. In addition, students who do not want to eat in the dining hall can take advantage of the take out option. Finally, we will be redoubling our efforts during this time to keep residence halls, academic spaces, and the dining hall extra clean.

Having said the above, I also want to emphasize that students can choose what is best for them regarding staying on campus or returning home. With regard to labs, faculty have some options that they will try to utilize as we enter this period of flux. Some labs may be able to be offered in a virtual environment. Others require physical presence. If students decide not to complete the expectations of the lab, they will have the option of electing an incomplete grade and completing the course at a later time.

Third, I have also received a number of questions about refunds. We are evaluating whether that should happen and, in doing so, will take into consideration that University operations are functioning during this period. Notice of the final decision will be made at a later time.

Finally, it is important to note that ONU’s actions regarding online instruction, sustaining face-to-face lab instruction and keeping the University open are similar to what many other Ohio private and public universities with similar academic programs have put in place for a period of time.

These are indeed unsettling times, and we want nothing more than to return to ONU’s up close and personal approach to education as soon as possible. That may not happen quickly. However, I know that we can count on your patience and understanding until it does.

President Daniel A. DiBiasio
To all members of the University community,

As I indicated in previous communications about the coronavirus, we continue to monitor the outbreak and remain in close contact with local and state officials in order to do what is best for the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

Early this afternoon, Gov. DeWine held a conference call with all Ohio college and university presidents, followed by a press conference later where he outlined the steps he advises organizations to take in light of the coronavirus. He specifically advised all higher education institutions in Ohio to move to remote learning for classes as soon as possible for a period of time. In addition, he asked that all large events, such as indoor sports and other performance events, be discontinued.

Ohio Northern University has begun the transition to virtual instruction. Many faculty have already been working in preparation for this, and the campus will complete the transition by Monday, March 16. To facilitate this and allow faculty time to prepare their course materials, all academic classes are cancelled on Friday, March 13.

Starting on Monday, March 16, we are suspending all face-to-face instruction, with the exception of laboratory sessions for the remainder of the spring semester. Later this week, faculty will send their class rosters an email to let the students know how the course will be meeting in the future. Students engaging in clinical placements, internships and experiential outplacements will continue at this time and should follow the protocols of the facility. Students and faculty are encouraged to do what is best for their personal circumstances as we transition to this new form of instruction delivery.

Effective immediately, the University will take these additional actions:
- The University has canceled all large gathering, indoor public events until Friday, April 17, 2020. This includes events such as Honors Day, Relay for Life, and many more that we will publicize.
- Ohio Northern is asking all University groups to suspend meetings for groups that include 20 or more participants, or these groups should meet in a virtual capacity when possible, including student organizations.
- Non-essential commercial travel (air, train, bus) for university business is suspended for all faculty and staff until April 17. Essential travel must be approved by the appropriate Vice President or Dean.
- All university-related student travel, including team competitions and travel to conferences, is suspended until April 17. Outdoor sporting competitions will continue at this time.
The University will remain open, including academic resources such as the library and study spaces, residence and dining facilities, athletic, and recreation facilities. The Inn will also remain open. Social distancing and enhanced preventative public health and hygiene measures are actively encouraged.

These actions will be reevaluated on an ongoing basis and updates or modifications will be communicated as necessary.

Ohio Northern has created and is maintaining a website for information and updates for our campus community at onu.edu/covid-19. Students, please send this link to your family members for their information.

In the meantime, please follow these health guidelines:
- If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, seek medical care and contact the ONU Health Center at 419-772-2086, even if you choose to seek medical care off campus. For anyone visiting the ONU Student Health Center with a fever or respiratory symptoms, the Health Center will obtain a detailed travel history. [NOTE: Before you go to the ONU Health Center, a doctor's office, or an emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.]
CLICK HERE for the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on COVID-19.

CLICK HERE for the most up-to-date information from the Ohio Department of Health on COVID-19.

CLICK HERE for rolling updates from the World Health Organization on COVID-19.

We will continue to send updates as university, local and federal advice and guidelines change. The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority.

Your help is greatly appreciated as we work together to maintain a healthy campus.

President Daniel A. DiBiasio
To all members of the ONU Community:

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Mike DeWine announced the first three positive COVID-19 cases in Ohio. We are unaware of any COVID-19 cases under investigation in Hardin County.

With the arrival of the COVID-19 virus in Ohio, the university community is presented with a unique situation that will require constant monitoring and timely response. To monitor this situation, we are in regular communication with the Ohio Department of Health.

In previous email communications, we have encouraged students, staff, and faculty to remain at home if symptoms present. We now ask all members of the campus community to be understanding and flexible in response to absences.

ALL Faculty and Academic Staff:

We ask that all faculty and staff members anticipate and prepare for the potential disruption associated with COVID-19. Below we provide a list of actions that will enable the university community to operate remotely.

Please maintain an updated grade book that can be sent to a colleague electronically. (Moodle meets this need because other faculty can be granted access to your Moodle room.)

Please provide mid-term grades for students at risk of a D or F. Also, we ask that faculty clarify the meaning of the midterm grade. Students receiving notice of a D or F need to know that the grade can be improved or that he or she should drop the course.

Please be flexible with your attendance policy for students who are not able to be present in class. Faculty are expected to work with students to catch them up on any missed material; students should not be penalized. ONU is not going to require students to show a doctor’s note to prove their absence during this time, as health care provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.

In addition, we strongly recommend that faculty anticipate the possibility that they are unable to meet with students due to student illness, faculty illness, illness of a dependent, or closure of schools, daycare, and adult care facilities.

Consider how you would cover materials for 4-10 class periods?
- Make sure you take materials home, upload scans of items to your cloud storage, etc.
Consider how labs and class discussions could take place using alternative technologies;
- Could labs be video-recorded, and students be given the lab data and asked to write their lab reports?
- Can discussions take place on Discussion Boards or Google Hangouts or via email?
Make a plan in your classes to allow for alternative class delivery. Some options may include:
- Set up assignments and/or quizzes for student completion in the Moodle gradebook or another electronic format.
- Have assignments, class handouts, requirements and/or rubrics for all upcoming assignments ready in Moodle or another electronic format.
- Plan for all assignments to be collected via Moodle, email, or other electronic means.
Remember that per FERPA, grades and feedback on assignments for individual students should be done in a way that students would only receive their individual information.

Resources

Keep in mind that Information Technology has gathered “work at home” tips to assist faculty and staff with items like forwarding your campus phone, accessing the p-drive, and online instructional tools. The Educational Technology staff will continue to develop additional instruction guidelines for Google Hangout Meet, Zoom, and video recording.

Please stay abreast of this dynamic situation using these resources:

CLICK HERE for the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on COVID-19.

CLICK HERE for the most up-to-date information from the Ohio Department of Health on COVID-19.

CLICK HERE for rolling updates from the World Health Organization on COVID-19.

This is a unique situation and as such we are asking everyone to be as flexible and understanding as possible. We will continue to send updates as university, local and federal advice and guidelines change. The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority.

President Daniel A. DiBiasio
To all members of the University community,

I am writing to follow up on my earlier communication today. Fortunately, members of the campus community are being responsive about informing us of COVID-19 issues, enabling a quick response when issues arise.

Such was the case this morning when we were notified that four students and one faculty member who went to Costa Rica over spring break traveled back home from an airport in that country where a number of cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed.

The University and the Hardin County Health Department conferred this morning about these individuals. As a precaution, the four students and faculty will be quarantined off campus at their home for the next 14 days. None of them are symptomatic, and they will be self-monitoring for this period of time. We hope that they will be cleared at the end of the period and be able to return to campus. In addition, other precautionary measures to ensure health and safety are being taken.

We were able to act swiftly and with an abundance of caution for the well being and health of the members of our community due to timely reporting. So I encourage everyone to be aware of the information about reporting that has been shared in previous communications.

This is an unsettling time, but with the cooperation and caring concern of everyone, we will remain a strong and healthy community.

President Daniel A. DiBiasio
To all members of the University community,

Welcome back to those of you who were away from campus last week. As classes resume today, I want to briefly follow-up on the three communications that were sent before, during, and toward the end of spring break last week about how the University is addressing issues related to the coronavirus.

First, I want to assure the campus community that we have been and will continue to monitor the updates from local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, we are in communication with several higher education organizations about issues unique to colleges and universities. That monitoring will become more formal with the establishment of a COVID-19 Task Force that I will announce shortly in order to best coordinate our efforts to plan and prepare for changing and uncertain elements of this public health outbreak.

Second, I want to reinforce the personal health advice shared in those previous emails and encourage everyone to adhere to them rigorously. Also, as previously stated, if you become ill with flu-like symptoms now that you are back on campus, seek medical care and contact the ONU Health Center at 419-772-2086, even if you choose to seek medical care off-campus. For anyone visiting the ONU Health Center with a fever or respiratory symptoms who traveled over break, the Health Center will obtain a detailed travel history. [NOTE: Before you go to the ONU Health Center, a doctor's office, or an emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.]

Finally, once the Task Force is established, there will be additional communications from the Task Force pertaining to a host of pertinent issues as they become more clear. For example, issues related to University sponsored international travel coming up later this spring and summer.

In the meantime, I appreciate everyone’s concern and cooperation as we do our part and our best to be safe and stay healthy in light of what is happening across the country.

President Daniel A. DiBiasio
To all members of the ONU Community:

At this time, there are no suspected COVID-19 cases on our campus. Ohio has not reported any confirmed cases as of this morning. We are continuing to monitor the situation and are in communication with the Ohio Department of Health.

As you prepare to return to campus following Spring Break, we ask you to take a moment to review the following guidelines and information.

If you traveled abroad to restricted countries:

ONU did not authorize any University travel to countries under Level 2 or 3 Warnings over the Spring Break. However, if you personally traveled to any country that was on a Level 2 or 3 Warning with the CDC (check levels here), we ask that you inform the university about your travel if you have not already done so using this link: https://my.onu.edu/ONUTravelReporting.

Upon returning to the US from any country that is identified as a CDC Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2, you will need to return to your home or to another location off-campus for 14 days. The Health Center will send you an email with instructions for self-monitoring of symptoms. During this period of self-quarantine off-campus, students should stay home and self-monitor for fever, cough, or shortness of breath. At the end of the 14-day period, the Health Center will review your symptoms and health status and make a determination about your return to campus. Staff, faculty and instructors will work with students who need to complete academic work remotely during this time.

If you traveled abroad to non-restricted areas or domestically:

For other community members preparing to return to campus, especially those that traveled abroad to non-restricted areas or traveled through large metropolitan airports, we strongly encourage you to monitor your own health.

If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, please do not return to campus. Contact the Health Center at 419-772-2086 and the staff will send you an email with instructions for self-monitoring of symptoms. During this period of self-quarantine off-campus, students should stay home until fully recovered. Then contact the Health Center. They will review your health status and make a determination about your return to campus. Staff, faculty and instructors will work with students who need to complete academic work remotely during this time.

If you become ill with flu-like symptoms after you are back on campus and have traveled during spring break, seek medical care and contact the ONU Health Center at 419-772-2086, even if you choose to seek medical care off-campus. For anyone visiting the ONU Health Center with a fever or respiratory symptoms, the Health Center will obtain a detailed travel history. [NOTE: Before you go to the ONU Health Center, a doctor's office, or an emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.]

Prevention Practices

If you are traveling through an airport as you return to campus:
- On flights, if wipes are available, wipe headrest, tray table and its lock, armrests, and emergency instructions pamphlet. Refrain from storing items in the magazine pocket and handling the in-flight magazines. When using the facilities, use a tissue or wipe to lock the door and flush. Then wash thoroughly after use. Again use a wipe or tissue to unlock and open the door.
- In the airports, refrain from touching rails, armrests, and door handles. Avoid close contact with people who are sniffling, sneezing, or coughing.
Please continue to follow everyday prevention practices to help ensure the health and safety of all ONU community members.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Stay away from others when you are sick. Wear a mask if you are not feeling well and need to be around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using sanitizing wipes.
We will continue to send updates as university, local and federal advice and guidelines change. The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority.

Thanks for your help in helping the campus be as healthy as possible.

Provost Maria Cronley and the Office of Academic Affairs
To all members of the ONU Community:

An update from the message lasts week. Cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 continue to increase around the world. As a result, travel restrictions and guidelines are changing. Continuing to be proactive about the safety of our university community, Ohio Northern University wants to make sure that you are aware of these changes during spring break.

On Friday February 28, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced an elevation of travel alert status for Iran and Italy. There are now 4 countries assigned a Travel Alert Level Status 3 by the CDC: China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea. Therefore, travel to these countries is to be avoided. ONU is restricting university travel for all faculty, staff and students to China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.

For our spring break abroad groups, because they are not in elevated travel alert areas, we will not at this time ask them to return to the States prior to their scheduled flights this weekend, March 7 & 8. We do urge the participants to, in addition to previously communicated everyday prevention practices, diligently follow proactive practices to help ensure the health and safety of all ONU community members.

For personal travel, we strongly advise all students, faculty and staff to follow travel alerts from the CDC, DOS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The situation in any particular travel destination can change quickly. A number of other countries have been assigned a Travel Alert Level 2 status by the CDC. ONU may add travel restrictions in the future if additional countries are elevated to a Travel Warning Level 3 status. Take precautions when traveling, particularly through airports.

As a reminder from a prior email, please report international travel, take precautions to protect the health and safety of the campus community, and notify ONU professionals if you are ill upon your return to campus.

International Travel Reporting

Those with personal travel to any international destination over Spring Break are asked to report their travel through this online form: https://my.onu.edu/ONUTravelReporting. We are collecting this information so that we can offer proper resources and immediate assistance to any member of our community who may become ill. All information gathered through this process will remain confidential.

Prevention Practices

If you are traveling through an airport:

On flights, if wipes are available, wipe headrest, tray table and its lock, armrests, and emergency instructions pamphlet. Refrain from storing items in the magazine pocket and handling the in-flight magazines. When using the facilities, use a tissue or wipe to lock the door and flush. Then wash thoroughly after use. Again use a wipe or tissue to unlock and open the door.
In the airports, refrain from touching rails, armrests, and door handles. Avoid close contact with people who are sniffling, sneezing, or coughing.

Please continue to follow everyday prevention practices to help ensure the health and safety of all ONU community members.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Stay away from others when you are sick. Wear a mask if you are not feeling well and need to be around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using sanitizing wipes.
Returning to Ada

If you are ill upon your return to Ada, please seek medical care right away. ONU asks that you notify the ONU Health Center, even if you seek medical care elsewhere. Please call 419-772-2086. For anyone visiting the ONU Health Center with a fever or respiratory symptoms, the Health Center will obtain a detailed travel history. [NOTE: Before you go to the ONU Health Center, a doctor's office, or an emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.]

For more information about the travel advisories please consult the CDC, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and the World Health Organization.

US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
US Department of State ( https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
US Department of Homeland Security https://www.dhs.gov/
World Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice
We will continue to send updates as university, local and federal advice and guidelines change. The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority.

Thanks for your help in helping the campus be as healthy as possible. Please direct all questions about international travel over spring break to onu-travel@onu.edu.

Lynda Nyce, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
To all members of the ONU Community:

Continuing to be proactive about the safety of our university community, Ohio Northern University wants to make sure that you are aware of travel precautions and guidelines as we head into spring break.

This week the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced an elevation of travel alert status for South Korea. Both China and South Korea are now assigned a Travel Alert Level Status 3 by the CDC. Therefore, travel to both countries is to be avoided. ONU is restricting university travel for all faculty, staff and students to China and South Korea.

For personal travel, we strongly advise all students, faculty and staff to follow travel alerts from the CDC, DOS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The situation in any particular travel destination can change quickly. A number of other countries have been assigned a Travel Alert Level 2 status and additional travel restrictions will be put into place if additional countries are elevated to a Travel Warning Level 3 status.

International Travel Reporting
Those with personal travel to any international destination over Spring Break are asked to report their travel through this online form. We are collecting this information so that we can offer proper resources and immediate assistance to any member of our community who may become ill. All information gathered through this process will remain confidential. Please direct all questions about international travel over spring break to onu-travel@onu.edu.

Returning to Ada
If you are ill upon your return to Ada, please seek medical care right away.
[NOTE: Before you go to the ONU Health Center, a doctor's office, or an emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.]

ONU asks that you notify the ONU Health Center, even if you seek medical care elsewhere. Please call 419-772-2086. For anyone visiting the ONU Health Center with a fever or respiratory symptoms, the Health Center will obtain a detailed travel history.

Precautions
We continue to take all precautions to ensure the health and safety of all ONU community members. The best way to prevent the spread of any type of infection — including the flu – is to follow these everyday prevention practices.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Stay away from others when you are sick. Wear a mask if you are not feeling well and need to be around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using sanitizing wipes.
More information about the travel advisories can be found at the links below:
- US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
- US Department of State https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
- US Department of Homeland Security https://www.dhs.gov/
- World Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice
We will continue to send updates as university, local and federal advice and guidelines change.

The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority!

Lynda Nyce, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
To all members of the ONU community,

I am reaching out to the University community as a measure of precaution relating to the coronavirus.

You may have heard that two Miami University students who recently traveled to China are being isolated as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") investigate whether they have confirmed cases of coronavirus. The CDC is expected to notify local officials by the end of the week whether the students have confirmed cases.

The CDC has recommended avoiding all non-essential travel to China. If you were in China in the last 14 days or if you have had close contact with anybody who was in China in the last 14 days, you should closely monitor your health. If you were in China or have had close contact with anybody who was in China and develop a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing, you should:
- Seek medical care right away. Before you go to ONU Health Center, a doctor's office, or an emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel or close contact with someone who recently traveled and your symptoms.
- Notify the ONU Health Center, even if you seek medical care elsewhere: 419-772-2086.
- Stay away from other people until you receive instructions.
- Do not travel while sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
For anyone visiting the ONU Health Center with a fever or respiratory symptoms, the Health Center will obtain a detailed travel history and information about close contacts with anybody who was in China. If anyone with these symptoms was in China on or before December 1, 2019, please notify the University Health Center, and we will take all precautionary measures, including immediately notifying the state and local health department.

President Daniel A. DiBiasio

International Travel Reporting

Those with personal travel to any international destination are asked to report their travel through this online form. We are collecting this information so that we can offer proper resources and immediate assistance to any member of our community who may become ill. All information gathered through this process will remain confidential.

Report international travel

IMPORTANT UPDATES ABOUT TRAVEL

ONU actions and procedures:

The Office of Global Initiatives is monitoring international travel advisories.
Any ONU faculty, staff or students who are planning to travel in Europe on personal travel should register their travel through the International Personal Travel Reporting form.
Non-essential commercial travel (air, train, bus) for University business is suspended for all faculty, staff and students. Essential travel must be approved by the appropriate vice president or dean.
We strongly advise all students, faculty and staff to cancel all non-essential personal travel.

Please follow travel alerts from the CDC, DOS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The situation in any particular travel destination – both international and domestic – can change quickly. ONU may add travel restrictions in the future if additional countries, US states, and/or cities are elevated to a Travel Warning Level 3 status. If you develop symptoms upon your return, please notify the ONU Health Center (students only) or your health care provider. Be prepared to describe your symptoms and your recent travel history.

Information Resources

To help ONU community members reach the offices related to the most pressing concerns, we are providing the following list of contacts.

Bursar – all financial payment questions about student bills | about/controller-and-bursar-office | Bursar@onu.edu | 419-772-2010
Financial aid – all loan, scholarship, FAFSA, changes in family employment questions | www.onu.edu/financial-aid | financial-aid@onu.edu | 419-772-2272
Admissions – new freshman questions (can handle AP questions, high school transcripts, etc.) | Admissions-ug@onu.edu | 419-772-2260
Housing – www.onu.edu/housing | reslife@onu.edu | 419-772-2430
Orientation – /do-these-things-next | orientation@onu.edu | 419-772-3557
Registrar – all transcript and registration questions, AP questions | www.onu.edu/academics/registrars-office | registrar@onu.edu | 419-772-2024
Summer school questions for ONU courses – Dean’s offices, faculty advisor, registrar or Julie Hurtig at academic-affairs@onu.edu or 419-772-2032 | a-and-s@onu.edu | business@onu.edu | engineering@onu.edu | pharmacy@onu.edu
Summer school questions for students attending elsewhere and transferring courses to ONU –Dean’s offices, faculty advisor, registrar or Julie Hurtig at academic-affairs@onu.edu or 419-772-2032 | a-and-s@onu.edu | business@onu.edu | engineering@onu.edu | pharmacy@onu.edu
Ed-tech or IT help – anything related to technology and its usage in academic classes | Help-desk@onu.edu | Ed-tech@onu.edu | 419-772-1111
Bookstore – questions about returning book rentals | https://onu.bncollege.com/shop/onu/home | 419-772-2410
Mailroom – questions about forwarding student mail (continuing and graduating students) | 419-772-2067
Parking/Public Safety – 419-772-2222
Academic Affairs – All things related to commencement (tassels and robes, diplomas)
– Commencement: https://www.onu.edu/commencement | commencement@onu.edu | 419-772-2033

ONU COVID-19 Taskforce and Implementation Team

Containing the spread of a contagious disease presents challenges and will require the University to take proactive measures to protect the health and safety of all members of our community while working to maintain University operations and responsibilities. Early on, a Taskforce was formed to address issues around the COVID-19 crisis that could impact the on-going operations of the University. The Taskforce included several members of the President’s cabinet, and leaders of operational units across campus.

This summer, an Implementation Team was formed to focus on the health and safety of our community and meeting our educational responsibilities. This team meets weekly to review, monitor and adapt safety protocols to keep our community safe. The team includes several members of the President’s cabinet, and leaders of operational units across campus.

Have a question?

If you have a specific question that this web page does not address, please use the link below to submit your question to the ONU COVID-19 Taskforce.

Ask a question

ONU Health Center

The ONU Health Center is a free, walk-in clinic for ONU students. Any ONU student, regardless of insurance, may utilize our services. The Health Center provides general health assessments, treatment and referrals to specialists in the area. The Health Center is located in the Lakeview Apartments Complex.

419-772-2086
health-center@onu.edu

Hours:
Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday

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