With the start of summer term, The Ohio State University is updating its COVID-19 protocols based on the state of the pandemic and federal, state and local guidance.
While the university continues to require that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, Ohio State will be shifting to a voluntary testing program for the summer starting on Monday, May 9. Masks remain optional in most indoor spaces.
The university’s COVID-19 response is always subject to change. Throughout the pandemic, Ohio State has followed guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio...
Starting at 6 p.m. Friday, March 11, masks will be optional in most indoor spaces on The Ohio State University campuses, including residence halls, dining facilities, classrooms, offices and the Ohio Union.
While the university continues to require masks in clinical health care settings (including at the Wexner Medical Center), COVID-19 testing locations, child care centers and on public transportation, Ohio State will be lifting indoor mask requirements in its academic and general-purpose buildings.
For most spaces, the updated masking policy will take effect at 6 p.m. on March 11, with the start of the university’s spring break....
Dr. Melissa Shivers, Senior Vice President for Student Life, and Gene Smith, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director | January 31, 2022
Dear student:
It’s hard to believe we are approaching the end of the first month of 2022 and already so much has taken place on campus. As you know, for the start of spring semester, we had to put some extra safeguards in place in response to the omicron variant. The good news is that those temporary measures have already proven to be helpful, as we have seen a consistent decrease in positivity rates among our student and employee populations. Our vaccination rate remains strong at higher than 93%, and we continue to see great interest and action among...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | January 27, 2022
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
I am thrilled to announce today a new program to reward our Ohio State community for your exceptional efforts to keep each other safe and healthy: the Buckeye Booster Drawing.
Each week, we will be awarding $100 gift cards to 100 students, faculty and staff who have received their COVID-19 vaccination booster shot and entered the random drawing. The first drawing will take place the week of February 6 and will run weekly through early April (we will pause the drawing for spring break in March). To participate, complete these steps:
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD, Senior Vice President, Office of Student Life | January 10, 2022
Dear Buckeye Families,
Today is the first day of spring semester, and it is wonderful to see so many students and feel the energy they bring back to our campuses with them.
As you know, for nearly two years we have been in a constant state of monitoring the pandemic, and putting plans in place to promote a safe and healthy Ohio State. Unfortunately, the nature of COVID-19 is that every plan needs to have a contingency (and many times more than one!). Even before the first class started this morning, we experienced the need to pivot on...
Melissa L. Gilliam, MD, MPH, Executive Vice President and Provost | January 7, 2022
Dear Colleagues,
As we embark on a new semester and continue to live through the pandemic, I wanted to reiterate important information from President Johnson’s Tuesday message and provide additional guidance on resources available to you.
We look forward to welcoming students back to our campuses this weekend for the start of classes on Jan. 10, and we are mindful at the same time of the public health situation across Ohio. Our goal is to provide the highest quality education for students while taking steps to protect the health and well-being of our campus community. Please...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | January 4, 2022
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
We hope you had a happy and healthy winter break.
As you know, the nation and state are experiencing a dramatic increase in COVID-19 infections due in large part to the Omicron variant. As we prepare to start the spring semester and welcome students back to campus for in-person instruction, Ohio State continues to adjust health measures based on the latest data as well as evolving guidance from national, state and local agencies.
Throughout the pandemic, Ohio State has successfully engaged our entire community to share responsibility for minimizing the spread of...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | December 10, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
As the semester draws to a close and we look forward to the holiday break, I want to thank you for your dedication and excellence this semester and beyond. The past two years have brought historic challenges for our university and, as members of our incredible faculty and staff, you have time and again demonstrated remarkable commitment and resilience. So many of you have put aside personal time and made sacrifices to support our teaching, learning, research and service missions.
We must now — more than ever — emphasize the health, safety and...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | October 13, 2021
Dear Buckeyes,
Of the many traditions Buckeyes have been excited to return to this fall, athletic competition holds special significance for many. Veronica and I have been thrilled to attend the first games of the season and experience game day traditions like the Skull Session. If you see us, give us an “O-H!”
Helen I. Malone, PhD Vice Provost for Academic Policy and Faculty Resources | September 21, 2021
Dear instructor,
Thank you for your many efforts to create an engaging learning environment for our students. I appreciate your hard work and dedication ensuring that our students have an excellent educational experience in a safe and healthy environment.
I am writing because during the semester, you may be asked to formally or informally accommodate one or more students who are unable to attend your in-person class because they are sick or in quarantine. Our students are expected to stay home when they are ill, and they rely on your accommodations to be successful. Please work with students...
