The university’s COVID-19 alert level is at high after being raised at the end of last semester.
An email from the OCU Communications Office sent to students on Nov. 17 said the Emergency Operations Center raised the alert level to high in response to significant rise in COVID-19 cases on the local and state level, as well as an increased number of cases on campus, reduced campus capacity for quarantined and isolation space, and reduced compliance with mitigation standards.
The email stated the change in alert level did not warrant virtual instruction, as classes will continue to operate in the same format as the previous alert level, and dining operations will remain the same. However, the high alert level impacts some campus policies. The Dulaney-Brown Library is now open by appointment only, no guests are permitted in residential halls or apartments until further notice, the Aduddell Fitness Center will be closed until further notice, athletic activities will be limited and some campus common spaces will be closed.
Additionally, the “OCU Practices” section of “Responding to COVID” document states while the OCU COVID-19 alert level is on high, lecture halls should only be used in-person for classes of fewer than 25 students, and an increased health safety protocol is in place for classroom spaces.
Levi Harrel, dean of students and member of the EOC, said the decision to raise the alert level was highly influenced by the amount of exposure on campus. In November, Harrel said there had been over 20 active positive cases for several days, and over 100 community members affected by isolation or quarantine at one time. As of Jan. 26, there are 20 active positive cases and 36 isolating community members.
Harrel said there haven’t been significant changes to protocol since the decision was made in November, but some matters, such as sports, have been slightly adapted.
“Spring sports will be taking place within a mitigated fashion, and the 10-person activity limit may impact sports and practices on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
Harrel also said the reason classes can continue to meet in person is because there has been no proven account of COVID-19 transmission on campus due to classroom interaction.
“The distinction we made with that is that we looked collectively across the semester on campus, and what we noticed is that there was no transmission directly related to classroom interaction,” he said. “It was off-campus experiences, social matters, practices. Certainly, there’s been some connection there, but in class it was not only minimal, but no transmission. The classroom environments are highly structured, and mitigation standards are more highly enforced in those areas.”
Isabel Finney, biomedical science senior, said students should not only stay updated on the school’s COVID-19 alert level, but also the Oklahoma City one.
“I think I do like to be in class and in-person, but I do think that it is important that we continue to check the alert level around OKC since OCU is right in the middle of the city,” she said. “It’s very easy for students to pop in and out of spaces around the city and bring COVID back to the school.”
Finney also said she thinks the school is doing a good job handling the pandemic, but it’s important students don’t get “settled in” as they continue to take safety precautions seriously.
“I think we do need to be diligent and continue to have these practices in place where we are social distancing and enforcing all these safety and sanitation rules,” Finney said. “So, reminding students, ‘yes, I know it’s tough, but we still have to do it, and if we do it will go away faster so we can get back to normal.’”
Harrel said the EOC meets every week, and at this time, they are waiting two weeks into the academic year to re-evaluate the high alert level. Harrel also said he does not expect classes to become completely virtual.
“I do not foresee that having to be the case with the mitigation standards we have in place,” he said. “It is certainly my hope we are able to complete the semester fully in person.”
Harrel said updating the policy practice and procedures helps to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the campus community.
“We are truly in this together,” Harrel said. “Stay the course, be reasonable with your decision making and make sure you’re practicing social distancing and wearing a mask.”
If you have been tested for COVID-19 at a location other than the Campus Clinic and need to report a positive case, self-isolation or quarantine, you can email the EOC at NotifyEOC@okcu.edu or call 405-208-5025.
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