This weekly update is intended to keep you informed of the latest developments from our Return to Campus Team. Please visit www.otterbein.edu/rtc for additional general and student-related information.

Available on the Return to Campus Website
Visit our Return to Campus website at www.otterbein.edu/rtc for the latest information, including:

• Lists whether each course is in person, blended or online for weeks 1-3 and weeks 4-14 of fall semester.
• Regularly updated FAQs: www.otterbein.edu/fall20
• Informative videos from President John Comerford.
• Virtual town halls.
• Communications sent to students and parents.
• And more!

Important Dates to Remember

• Aug. 14 – Deadline to let Residence Life know if you will commute rather than live on campus.
• Aug. 24 – All classes begin.
• Aug. 17-23 – Phase II students move into residence halls.
• Sept. 4-6 and 11-13 – Phase III and IV students move into residence halls.
• Sept. 14 – All courses return to their original intended mode.

Spaces for Commuters
Many commuter students have asked where they can go between in-person classes, or if they have an online class immediately before or after an in-person class. We’ve compiled a list of computer labs and campus spaces that commuters — or any student — can safely use.

• Room/Lab, Computer Systems, Open Hours:
• Art 103, Three (3) iMac computers plus instructor, TBD
• Art 104, Seven (7) iMac computers plus instructor, TBD
• Battelle 239, Six (6) iMacs plus instructor, TBD
• Comm 155, Ten (10) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD
• HSS, Two (2) Windows computers + one (1) iMac plus instructor, TBD
• Library Basement, Ten (10) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD
• Library 1st Floor, Eight (8) Windows computers + four (4) iMacs, TBD
• Library 2nd Floor, Seven (7) Windows computers, TBD
• Library 200, Eleven (11) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD
• Library 201, Eight (8) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD
• Point 113, Sixteen (16) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD
• Roush 015, Ten (10) Windows computers, 24/7
• Science 204, Nine (9) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD
• Science 205, Two (2) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD
• Science 244, Eleven (11) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD
• Towers Math Lab, Fifteen (15) Windows computers plus instructor, TBD

Campus Spaces:

• Outdoor areas.
• Campus Center: Lounge.
• The Point: Various locations.
• Towers Hall: Commuter lounge and Towers 233.
• Roush Hall: Fisher Gallery first and second floors, Roush 331, Roush 118.
• Library: Various location.
• Battelle Fine Arts Center: Lounge
• Science Center: Lobby, second floor lounge.
• Art and Communication Building: Lounge in the northwest corner (adjacent to radio broadcast booth).

The Center for Student Involvement is here to support commuters. Please reach out to csi@otterbein.edu with any questions, comments and needs you may have.

Public Wi-Fi in Uptown Westerville
Did you know there are eight new locations in Uptown Westerville with free WiFi? Find these access points powered by the City’s high-speed fiber network and WēConnect Data Center: https://bit.ly/31kagKN. (For those who would like to use their laptops outside on campus, please see the attached heat map.)

COVID Support Line and Email
A new COVID Support Line and Email will be available for faculty, staff and students to ask questions and report information related to COVID-19. You can contact the COVID Support Line at 614-823-1586 or email covid@otterbein.edu if:

• You have COVID symptoms, have been exposed to someone with COVID, or you have tested positive for COVID;
• You are concerned about incidents in which members of the Otterbein community are not following safety guidelines; or
• You have other COVID related concerns or general questions.

Class Delivery Formats are Posted Online
One important question many students are asking is, “What will be the delivery format of my course?” To answer that, we’ve created a Fall 2020 Phased Opening Plan website that lists whether each course is in person, blended or online for weeks 1-3 and weeks 4-14 of fall semester, organized by department/program. Please use this website to determine how your classes will be delivered and help you prepare for the semester.

Parking Passes Discounted
Taking into consideration the various ways Otterbein classes will be made available to students this fall, all full-year parking decal prices have been reduced by 50%. Students who only need a pass for fall semester can return their parking pass for a full refund by the end of the semester. Every student planning to have a vehicle on campus needs to purchase their parking pass online at https://tn.otterbein.edu/C21204_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=9.

• Residential students can pick up their parking pass during residence life check-in.
• Commuters can pick up their parking passes Aug. 15-23 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. If you need to make other arrangements, please contact CSI@otterbein.edu .

Enhancing Outdoor Spaces
We are doing a number of things to enhance outdoor spaces on campus this fall. Public health officials agree that being outside lowers the risk of transmission due to airflow and the ability to distance, and social distancing lowers the capacity of indoor spaces. That’s why we are investing in making our outdoor spaces more welcoming, adding:

• 72 more Adirondack chairs.
• Eight new sets of tables and chairs.
• More trash and recycling containers.
• Outdoor games – eight different kinds are being manufactured at The Point.
• Eight 10 x 10 ft. tents.
• Four 10 x 20 ft. Tents.
• Additional tables and seats.

We are also exploring the possibility of purchasing larger tents that we can winterize. Tent spaces can be used for meetings, social gatherings, classes and rehearsals that may be safer outside like wind ensemble or choirs — with all the appropriate precautions in place.

For those who would like to use their laptops outside, please see the attached heat map of outdoor WiFi availability on campus.

Indoor Athletic Facilities Opening
The Rike and Clements Recreation centers will open to the Otterbein community on Aug. 17. At this time, the locker rooms and showers will remain closed.

COVID-19 Myth vs. Fact
Myth: Coronavirus doesn’t spread in very hot or very cold climates.
Fact: COVID-19 can spread in any climate. Don’t let your guard down when the seasons change! The World Health Organization (WHO) says that warm and cold weather cannot kill the virus, so the possibility of transmission remains the same year-round.

Cardinal Community Responsibilities
We are relying on our Cardinal Community to help us stay healthy and stay strong so we can stay together. To do so, we have created six main responsibilities for all members of the campus community this fall. You can watch a fun video here or read about the responsibilities below.

• Perform a daily self-assessment. Don’t come to campus if you have two or more of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.
• Wear facial coverings. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are required in common spaces and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
• Practice social distancing. Stay 6 feet from other people whenever possible.
• Keep it clean. Clean your workspace or common spaces with the provided sanitizing supplies.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
• Share concerns via anonymous reporting page. If you have concerns or suggestions, you can report them anonymously through the reporting page on Ozone – Return to Campus tab.

Reminder: Facial Coverings Mandatory on Campus
As Cardinals return to campus, please remember that students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to wear a facial covering in classrooms and other common spaces, and outdoors when social distancing is not possible, unless is it unsafe to do so. Students, faculty, and staff will be provided with two washable cloth facial coverings. Disposable facial coverings will be made available as needed. For information about exemptions, go to www.otterbein.edu/rtc.

Return to Campus Planning
Otterbein University’s Return to Campus Plans have been developed in consultation with Franklin County Public Health and OhioHealth (Otterbein’s campus healthcare provider) and adhere to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ohio Department of Health. Learn more about our plans and get up-to-date information at www.otterbein.edu/rtc.