COVID-19 | Ohio Northern University

Updated: Oct. 21, 2020 | 11:35 a.m.

On 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 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. READ THE FULL SAFETY PLAN HERE.

Ohio Northern has created a handout to help students, parents, faculty and staff with many important details found in the COVID-19 Return-to-Campus Implementation Plan. READ THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN HERE.

Access the Protect ONU Polar Pledge related to health and safety requirements.

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 is being preserved for archive purposes. Please consult the ONU Safety Plan and Implementation Plan for the most current information.

A message from President DiBiasio

President Dan DiBiasio shares a message for everyone in the ONU community as the University continues to navigate through this pandemic.

Early Start Early Finish academic calendar for fall semester

All academic programs, except law, began on-campus instruction on Monday, Aug. 10, with no breaks. The term will end with a final examination week from Nov. 16-20.

Students studying in the College of Law started on Monday, Aug. 24, concluding on Friday, Nov. 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.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation and flexibility as we make this adjustment.

Modified Spring 2021 "early finish" semester

The Spring 2021 academic calendar has been modified to establish an "early finish" semester, with finals week ending by May 7, 2021. Please see the Semester Calendar and Schedule for important dates. (Note: Law follows a different schedule.)

The undergraduate, pharmacy and MSA students will start classes on Jan. 19 as planned. All residential students can move into campus housing as early as Jan. 17 following the instructions provided by the Office of Residence Life. The College of Law will start its spring semester classes on Jan. 27.

After careful and thoughtful consideration with the academic areas and Student Senate, the spring semester will not include a spring break, as it is not conducive for the campus’ health and safety to disperse and then regather after many individuals travel to a wide variety of geographic areas. The spring calendar has been designed with one day of break per month. There will be no classes on Thursday, Feb. 18; Wednesday, March 10, and Friday, April 2. The campus will observe Honors Day on March 10 for undergraduate and pharmacy students, pending what is permitted per the COVID-19 safety policy and best practice guidelines. Good Friday occurs on April 2, with Easter observed on April 4.

Final exams for the undergraduate, pharmacy and MSA students will be May 3-7. Law will hold finals from April 27 to May 7. Thus, Spring 2021 will conclude one week earlier than originally planned.

Semester Calendar

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 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.

Town Hall Questions

ONU hosted several virtual town halls on Facebook Live for faculty and staff, for students and parents, and for alumni and friends to learn more about ONU's COVID-19 response. Viewers were encouraged to submit questions during the town hall and subsequent analysis of those questions reveal that the areas of greatest to least concerns are as follows. 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) and questions regarding the Optional Grading Policy
– Commencement: https://www.onu.edu/commencement | commencement@onu.edu | 419-772-2033
– Optional Grading Policy: academic-affairs@onu.edu | 419-772-2032 | https://www.onu.edu/sites/default/files/optional_grading_policy_spring_2020_4-3-20.pdf

OAC statement on the fall 2020 sports season

The Presidents Council of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) has postponed all NCAA intercollegiate athletics competition through December 31, 2020 amidst continued concerns about COVID-19. The Conference is committed to moving NCAA intercollegiate competition to the spring, with various models being currently discussed.

“The OAC believes we can continue to provide an excellent experience for our student athletes,” said Tim Gleason, Commissioner of OAC, “while continuing to make the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, families, fans and campus communities our highest priority.”

Read the full statement

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.

This guide provides information primarily to University students, faculty and staff and to other members of the ONU family as well. It is intended to assist them in accessing resources and information related to the impact of the coronavirus on how we learn, work and live at ONU at this difficult time for our nation and our campus. If you would like to download this information, a pdf is available here.
COMMENCEMENT
ONU postponed spring commencements scheduled in May for all undergraduate, graduate and law graduates. Because commencement is one of our most important and cherished activities, the University is fully committed to celebrating with our graduates and their families in person on the ONU campus at the appropriate time. We will provide as much notice as possible when we have rescheduled commencement. At this time, the possibility for commencement to be safely held per the existing Ohio public health standards wouldn't occur until at least late summer. A Virtual Degree Conferral Ceremony video was created and is available on ONU's YouTube channel. For the latest updates, check the ONU commencement website.
Website: onu.edu/commencement
Email: commencement@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2033

OPERATIONS
Classroom Instruction
ONU is utilizing alternative and remote instructional delivery for Summer 2020 courses.

Travel Guidelines
- International Travel: All University-sponsored international travel is suspended. All travel that has been scheduled through June 30 must be canceled, and no new travel may be booked until further notice.
- Domestic Travel: 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.
Large Gatherings and Public Events
ONU has canceled all large gatherings and public events until further notice. In-person attendance to all faculty, staff and student organization meetings is limited to 10 or fewer. It is preferred that meetings take place by phone or virtually.

Campus Buildings
Academic buildings, the University libraries (Heterick and Taggart), ONU Sports Center, the Child Development Center and all other campus buildings are closed to the general public until further notice. In order to maximize the health and safety of ONU’s workforce, as well as continue to operate the University on a daily basis, ONU limited the number of people present on campus until further notice.
- ONU faculty and staff may use campus buildings for essential work.
- ONU students desiring to use campus technology learning resources should request access to the electronic card system in the James Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building. Students should practice social distancing.
- Information Technology is open to support essential personnel working on campus.
- McIntosh Center Dining Hall is closed.
- Stadium View Apartments will provide housing to students who have been approved to remain on campus this summer.
- The ONU HealthWise Pharmacy is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The pharmacy has extended its home prescription delivery service to anyone living within 40 miles of the pharmacy, including in Lima and Findlay. Curbside pick-up is also available.
- The Inn at Ohio Northern is open, including dining in, outdoor patio and take-out restaurant options.
ONU Mail Center
With campus buildings closed, the ONU Mail Center has discontinued delivering mail and packages to departments until further notice. Departments can pick up and drop off their mail and packages in McIntosh Center Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If a department has a large package or several packages, please email purchasing@onu.edu for assistance. Deliveries will be made within one business day.
Email: mailroom@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2062

COPING/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Information on the ONU Employee Assistance Program can be found on the HR website. For help managing anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 Outbreak, please see the CDC Website. Faculty and staff electing ONU’s health plan have access to Teladoc.

UMR: The Optum Emotional Support Help Line is available 24/7 to anyone in need, even if they are not enrolled in the benefits plan. The helpline 866-342-6892 is staffed by professionally trained mental health experts and free of charge. More information is available at UMR.com.

COMMUNITY
Outdoor Recreation Facilities
The Green Monster, Kerscher Stadium outdoor track (for walking or running; no rollerblades, bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc.), campus sidewalks, tennis courts and the disc golf course are open for public use. No activities should occur in Dial-Roberson Stadium, on the Kerscher Stadium soccer field or on other athletic fields at this time. Please observe the CDC’s guidelines on social distancing and personal hygiene.

ONU Response to COVID-19 Community Needs
Lima Memorial Hospital Foundation is collecting fabric face masks and has placed a mask collection/drop-off location outside of the Freed Center for the Performing Arts.

COVID-19 Cases/Testing Updates
If there is a confirmed case on campus, the University will notify the community, but will not release the name or any specific identifying information about the person.

HealthWise Pharmacy
The ONU HealthWise Pharmacy will remain open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The pharmacy has extended its home prescription delivery service to anyone living within 40 miles of the pharmacy, including in Lima and Findlay. Curbside pick-up at also is available. The pharmacy can transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies to allow anyone to take advantage of this service. The pharmacy can mail prescriptions to students through the summer.
Website: www.onuhealthwisepharmacy.com
Email: hwpharmacy@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-DRUG
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Tutoring/Online Learning Resources for Undergraduates
During the summer semester, the traditional tutoring services – Math Resource Room and Writing Center – are closed. ONU students who need tutoring assistance should contact their instructor for support or their dean's office: a-and-s@onu.edu, engineering@onu.edu, pharmacy@onu.edu, business@onu.edu or lawdean@onu.edu
- Heterick Memorial Library continues to provide research assistance through email (reference@onu.edu), virtual appointments and chat reference.
- IT support is available through by phone and email.
  Website: onu.edu/information-technology
  Email: help-desk@onu.edu
  Phone: 419-772-1111
Alternative/Remote Instruction
If students are unsure of how to engage fully in coursework in the alternative and remote delivery formats, they should contact the faculty member instructing their class, their faculty advisor or their dean’s office: a-and-s@onu.edu, engineering@onu.edu, pharmacy@onu.edu, business@onu.edu or lawdean@onu.edu

On-Campus Technology Resources
The academic buildings, with the exception of the engineering building, will be closed until further notice. If you desire to use campus technology learning resources, you should request access to the electronic card system in the James Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building.

Electronic Submission of Handwritten Homework/Assignments
To scan handwritten work (math, engineering, etc.), students were sent instructions for AdobeScan, an app for cell phones. The Student IT Help Tips is on the IT webpage.
Website: onu.edu/information-technology
Email: help-desk@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-1111

Klondike Chatbot
Students are receiving texts in the form of Klondike to keep them informed and updated. Opt in to help ONU better support and help students navigate this challenging time. If a student did not receive the text, please add or change the cell number listed in Self-Service Banner under the Personal Information tab.

Special Accommodations
Students who need special accommodations should contact Disability Services.
Website: onu.edu/disability-services
Email: t-harris.6@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-1055

CAREER PLANNING AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Polar Careers
Polar Careers staff are available to assist students by reviewing resumes, providing tips and strategies for job and graduate school searches, and discussing career interests. Resources for job search strategies in a time of remote work and other tips can be accessed here.
Website: onu.edu/student-life/polar-careers
Email: career@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2145

Clinicals/Rotations
Students should contact the faculty instructor of the clinical or rotation, or the college clinical coordinator for guidance, and work with the off-site preceptor regarding work assignments.

Internships
Internships must be completed in their entirety to earn academic credit. If the pandemic has interrupted an internship, the faculty instructor supervising the internship will work with students to assign an incomplete grade. The faculty member will work with students to identify additional internship opportunities after the pandemic crisis. Contact the student’s academic advisor or internship director to discuss the impact on the academic plan. Consult with Polar Careers to explore another internship possibility.

Student Employment
ONU will continue to hire for student employment for the summer months as well as the 2020-21 academic year. All open positions are posted at jobs.onu.edu, and students are welcome to begin applying online.

FINANCIAL
Economic Hardship
If you are an ONU student who has experienced unexpected financial hardship as a result of our campus closure and move to online classes, you are eligible to submit an application for emergency grant funding. Application consideration will begin on April 29 and will continue until funding has been exhausted. Grants will be distributed based on the specific needs presented in the application and availability of funding.

These funds are from Ohio Northern University’s distribution of the U.S. Dept. of Education CARES Act funding. These funds are intended to help students who have experienced unforeseen expenses due to the disruption of campus operations including food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, transportation and other related expenses. Contact: Melanie Weaver, director of financial aid | m-weaver.2@onu.edu | 419-772-2271

Room and Board Credit or Refund
Students with a room and board contract who did not remain on campus received a 40 percent credit of room and meal plan charges. This percent is consistent with the schedule published in the 2019-20 Student Handbook. Depending on individual billing circumstances, some or all of the credit may be refunded. Unlike student room and meal plan contracts, student fees are not prorated, and therefore, those fees have been spent.
Website: onu.edu/about/controller-and-bursar-office
Email: controller@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2010

Financial Payments and Student Bills
All financial payment questions about student bills should be directed to the bursar.
Website: onu.edu/about/controller-and-bursar-office
Email: bursar@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2010

Loans, Scholarships, FAFSA and Family Employment Changes
Students who have financial aid questions about loans, scholarship, FAFSA or changes in family employment, please contact financial aid.
Website: onu.edu/financial-aid
Email: financial-aid@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2272

State of Ohio Resources
The state of Ohio has put together a list of resources for individuals experiencing economic difficulties due to COVID-19. The list can be found at: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/employers-and-employees/Resources-for-Individuals-and-Families/resources-for-Individuals-Families

ON-CAMPUS/OFF-CAMPUS TRANSITION
ONU Mail Center
For students not living on campus, packages should be addressed to the student’s off-campus and current residence. Verify the delivery address when placing online orders. Students living on campus are able to continue picking up mail and packages from the ONU Mail Center as usual. On-campus students should continue to use the campus unit box address for mail and packages being sent to you.
Email: mailroom@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2062

Parking and Campus Security
For questions on parking and campus security, contact public safety.
Email: publicsafety@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2222

Residence Halls
Residence halls, with the exceptions made for students whose personal circumstances made it necessary for them to stay on campus, closed on March 22. Questions about housing, housing lottery, personal belongings remaining on campus, move in process, etc., should be directed to student affairs. Students who have already left campus and have not removed all belongings are encouraged to make arrangements at their earliest convenience. ONU will hold belongings in the student’s room, as it was left until the student is able to return. Residence life staff members on campus can assist with checkout and arranging a convenient time.

For students who have already left campus and have removed all of their belongings, but did not complete the checkout process or turn in their key, we are offering the option to check out via email. Res Life staff will complete the physical inspection of the room and sign off on the checkout process. We would like to have room keys mailed back to us as soon as possible to avoid any improper checkout fees. Keys may be mailed to Ohio Northern University, Attn: Res Life Anissa Jenkins, 525 South Main Street, Ada, Ohio 45810

The housing policy as stated in the ONU student handbook will still be in effect for those remaining in campus housing. All students currently on campus are living in an apartment and are permitted to have guests; however, we urge everyone to practice social distancing. The campus remains open for members of the campus community, but is closed to the public, so you are encouraged not to invite guests to campus who are not part of the ONU community.
Email: reslife@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2430
RD-On-Call at 419-302-0106

Dining Services
McIntosh Center Dining Hall is closed.

Campus Facilities Access
Students remaining on campus can access the McIntosh Student Center from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. daily. Students who need technology resources for classroom work and studying can request access to the James Lehr Kennedy Engineering building. The Health Center and Counseling Center remain open to service you at this time.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCES
ONU Health Center
Students are required to call ahead or from outside the locked door to the center when arriving. Staff will speak with the students to determine the optimal next health and safety steps that should be taken. This procedure has become a new protocol in many medical offices and facilities and is being adopted in an effort to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. The Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: onu.edu/health-center
Email: k-schroeder.5@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2086

Counseling Center and Emotional Distress
The Counseling Center transitioned to teletherapy for all appointments. Students interested in teletherapy must first schedule a phone consultation with one of the counselors. The Counseling Center will remain open for crisis or emergency situations, but not for traditional face-to-face therapy. If you are experiencing emotional distress related to recent changes and events, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting 4HOPE to 741 741. You also will find additional helpful information at the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.
Website: onu.edu/counseling-center
Email: c-cherry@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2190

FUTURE PLANNING
Fall 2020-21 Semester
Registration for summer and fall opened on March 23. Students should contact their advisor for an alt-pin. Email the advisor, dean’s office or registrar@onu.edu with questions. Refer to the additional tips the registrar emailed students on March 19.
Website: onu.edu/academics/registrars-office
Email: registrar@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2024

Summer School, Camps and Conferences
The University will move to alternative and remote instruction for the 2020 summer session for all full semester courses and first and second session courses.

Transcript/Course Registration/AP Courses
For questions about all transcripts, course registration and AP courses, refer to onu.edu/academics/registrars-office.
New Student, AP and High School Transcripts
For questions about becoming a Polar Bear, AP questions, high school transcripts, applications and financial aid, contact Admissions and Financial Aid.
Website: onu.edu/admissions-aid
Email: admissions-ug@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2260, 888-408-4668

Enrollment Deposit
ONU has extended the enrollment deposit date to June 1. The earlier the deposit, the earlier new students will be able to complete the following important next steps: register for summer orientation, set up an ONU network account and email, submit the on-campus housing forms and join the New Polar Bears 2020 Facebook Group.

Admissions Visits
On-campus and virtual visits are now available. Please check the website for details on how to sign up. A virtual tour is available.
Website: onu.edu/admissions-aid
Email: admissions-ug@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2260, 888-408-4668

New Student Summer Orientation
ONU will virtually connect with incoming Polar Bears and share two types of virtual summer orientation sessions: 1) specific sessions held on your scheduled orientation date and 2) sessions offered throughout the month of June.
Website: my.onu.edu/orientation/summer_orientation_schedule
Email: orientation@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-3557
HUMAN RESOURCES
Revised Staffing Plans
In order to maximize the health and safety of our employees, as well as continue to operate the University on a daily basis, ONU minimized the number of people present on campus. Human Resources distributed guidance on employee work schedules via the Staff-L and Faculty-L on March 17. Details of a revised staffing plan from April 1 until April 30 were distributed in an email sent to all faculty and staff on March 31. If employees are unable to maintain a full-time workload, they may continue to receive a full-time salary and benefits by electing to take their personal paid time off (vacation). Full- and part-time staff may request a voluntary furlough.
Website: my.onu.edu/human_resources
Email: hr@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2013

Open Faculty Position Interviews
In-person job interviews for searches currently underway should use electronic apps (Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) as an interim solution.

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT
Teaching Resources
CAFE has gathered resources to support faculty who are delivering classes alternatively.
Contact: my.onu.edu/teaching_resources

IT Resources
Information Technology will be open to support essential personnel working on campus. Faculty can request appointments to record lectures by contacting ed-tech@onu.edu.
Website: my.onu.edu/information_technology/it_support_for_faculty_staff
Phone: 419-772-1111
REVISED STAFFING PLANS
In order to maximize the health and safety of employees, as well as continue to operate the University on a daily basis, ONU minimized the number of people present on campus. Human resources distributed guidance on employee work schedules via the Staff-L and Faculty-L on March 17. Details of a revised staffing plan from April 1 until April 30 were distributed in an email sent to all faculty and staff on March 31. If employees are unable to maintain a full-time workload, they may continue to receive a full-time salary and benefits by electing to take their personal paid time off (vacation). Full- and part-time staff may request a voluntary furlough.

Everyone is asked to be creative at this time and determine the most critical work that needs to be done, while determining what other work can be performed in light of recent changes across campus. If there are typical projects or summer work that may begin now, please proceed with incorporating those efforts into a work plan.
Website: my.onu.edu/human_resources
Email: hr@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2013

OPEN STAFF POSITION INTERVIEWS
In-person job interviews for searches currently underway should use electronic apps (Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) as an interim solution.

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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.

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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

COVID-19 and Campus Safety

A message from President DiBiasio

Early Start Early Finish academic calendar for fall semester

Modified Spring 2021 "early finish" semester

Campus & Parent Communications

International Travel Reporting

Town Hall Questions

OAC statement on the fall 2020 sports season

ONU COVID-19 Taskforce and Implementation Team

Have a question?

ONU Health Center

Information for:

COVID-19 and Campus Safety

A message from President DiBiasio

Early Start Early Finish academic calendar for fall semester

Modified Spring 2021 "early finish" semester

Campus & Parent Communications

University communication – Oct. 21

University communication – Oct. 16

University communication – Oct. 12

University communication – Aug. 6

University communication – Aug. 3

University communication - Aug. 3

University communication - Aug. 1

University communication - July 23

University communication - June 26

University communication - May 27

University communication - May 7

University communication - April 7

Student and Parent communication - March 25

University and Parent communication - March 16

University communication - March 13

Parent communication – March 13

University communication – March 13

University communication – March 11

University communication - March 10

University communication - March 10

University communication - March 9

University communication - March 9

University communication - March 6

University communication - March 3

University communication - Feb. 27

University communication - Jan. 29

International Travel Reporting

Town Hall Questions

OAC statement on the fall 2020 sports season

ONU COVID-19 Taskforce and Implementation Team

ONU COVID-19 RESPONSE INFORMATION AND RESOURCE GUIDE

General Information and Resources

Information and Resources Especially for Students and Parents

Information and Resources Especially for Prospective Students and Parents

Information and Resources Especially for Faculty

Information and Resources Especially for Staff

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ONU Health Center

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