Weekly Update for Students – August 21, 2020
Posted Aug 31, 2020
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.
COVID Support Line and Email
A COVID Support Line and Email is available at 614-823-1586 or covid@otterbein.edu for faculty, staff and students to ask questions and report information related to COVID-19. You must contact the COVID Support Line if you have tested positive, have been exposed to someone with COVID, or have COVID symptoms. You may also contact the COVID Support Line if:
- 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.
Available on the Return to Campus Website
Visit our Return to Campus website at www.otterbein.edu/rtc for the latest information, including:
- List of whether each course is in person, blended or online for weeks 1-3 and weeks 4-14 of fall semester: www.otterbein.edu/fall20
- Regularly updated FAQs.
- Informative videos from President John Comerford.
- Virtual town halls.
- Communications sent to students and parents.
- And more!
Important Dates to Remember
- Aug. 24 – All classes begin. Some students will attend in-person classes on campus before moving to campus. Please check your class delivery format at www.otterbein.edu/fall20.
- 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.
Update to Internship Protocol
Students who plan to complete an internship off campus will be required to complete the “COVID-19 Off Campus Experience Agreement” form indicating their understanding of the university’s guidelines related to COVID-19. The form can be found on the Forms and Documents page of the Academic Affairs Intranet and will soon be added to the Internship Manual and Forms page on the Student Success & Career Development website: https://www.otterbein.edu/ccpd/internships-professional-experiences. Faculty advisors are instructed to keep the forms on file (electronically preferred) for three years after the student graduates or leaves Otterbein. Direct questions to career@otterbein.edu.
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 (approximate hours are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. when school is in session)
- Battelle 239, Six (6) iMacs plus instructo
- Comm 155, Ten (10) Windows computers plus instructo
- HSS, Two (2) Windows computers + one (1) iMac plus instructo
- Library Basement, Ten (10) Windows computers plus instructo
- Library 1st Floor, Eight (8) Windows computers + four (4) iMac
- Library 2nd Floor, Seven (7) Windows computer
- Library 200, Eleven (11) Windows computers plus instructo
- Library 201, Eight (8) Windows computers plus instructo
- Point 113, Sixteen (16) Windows computers plus instructo
- Roush 015, Ten (10) Windows computer
- Science 204, Nine (9) Windows computers plus instructo
- Science 205, Two (2) Windows computers plus instructo
- Science 244, Eleven (11) Windows computers plus instructo
- Towers Math Lab, Fifteen (15) Windows computers plus instructor
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: Loung
- 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.
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 passes 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.
Graduate and evening students can pick up their parking passes at the Campus Center main office from 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Indoor Athletic Facilities Opening
The Rike and Clements Recreation centers are now open to the Otterbein community. At this time, the locker rooms and showers will remain closed.
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 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 indoors, if it is safe to do so. In compliance with the direction from Franklin County Public Health, facial coverings are required outside when in more-than-passing proximity to another person who is not already exposed to you. In other words: walking alone or with a roommate/family member does not require a facial covering; stopping to talk to others requires a facial covering and social distancing.
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.