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...
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...
Jeff Risinger, PhD, Senior Vice President of Talent, Culture and Human Resources Office of Human Resources | September 1, 2021
Dear faculty and staff,
Over the past 18 months, we have worked together to overcome the challenges of the pandemic to serve our students, patients and community. Thank you for your many contributions.
As President Johnson announced last week , Ohio State is taking the next step in enhancing the health and safety of our community by requiring every student, faculty and staff member to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement applies to all employees at the university and Wexner Medical Center, including those who work for Ohio State University Physicians, Inc. (OSUP). While a limited set...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | August 24, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
The rising prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is fueling the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations – including in young and otherwise healthy unvaccinated people. Central, southern and southeastern Ohio have now recorded the highest number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients since January. Further, the number of hospitalized patients in these areas of the state rose an alarming 448% between mid-July and mid-August.
Throughout the pandemic, the university has taken measures to help keep our Ohio State community safe and healthy. With Monday’s news that the U.S. Food and...
With many Buckeyes returning to campus and much-loved traditions after an extended absence, Ohio State is providing a summary of what you need to know to continue the Safe and Healthy approach we successfully managed together last academic year and throughout the pandemic.
Keeping you in the loop
This year, the university is enhancing its communication by using text and email from Ohio State News to provide brief, timely updates to the university community. These updates will inform you about:
COVID priorities: Updates and information about COVID safety requirements and protocols that you need...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | August 2, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Since December, we have celebrated the introduction of safe, effective and free COVID-19 vaccines that have helped contain the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they remain the best way to protect your family, friends, colleagues and yourself.
In recent weeks, the Delta variant has rapidly become the most common form of the virus in Ohio – and across the nation. The Delta variant is much more contagious than previous versions of the virus, causes infected patients to have substantially higher amounts of the virus in their system, and can...
Kay N. Wolf, PhD, Senior Vice Provost | July 28, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
As reflected in President Johnson’s update yesterday, the university continues to monitor COVID-19, including guidance surrounding variants of concern. We are also carefully tracking the reported vaccination rate in our community, which currently exceeds 70%. We will gain an even better view now that all students, faculty and staff are required to report whether or not they have been vaccinated by Aug. 5.
All of these factors are part of our planning for the coming academic year, and we will continue to make decisions as needed based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | July 27, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
In about a month, we’ll be together for the start of the academic year, and I’m thrilled just thinking about the Buckeye traditions that we all love.
This robust, in-person experience can happen because of the success of free, effective COVID-19 vaccines. Already, more than 70% of returning students, faculty and staff have completed their vaccinations, a rate that outpaces the rest of the state.
Today, I’m writing to share updates on our autumn semester planning so that you’re prepared for all that’s to come.
