On Tuesday, following the recommendations of the Ohio Department of Health and Governor DeWine, Ohio Wesleyan University implemented the following protocols to help stem the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus):
- All classes are canceled Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17, as faculty prepare to offer all classes remotely.
- All classes will be taught utilizing remote teaching and learning from Wednesday, March 18, through Sunday, March 29. (This time frame will be reassessed as needed in response to changing COVID-19 conditions. Currently, there are confirmed cases in Ohio, but none in Delaware County, the City of Delaware, or the OWU campus.) Students will receive further instructions soon on how to participate in remote learning.
- All students are strongly encouraged to return or remain at home after spring break until in-person classes resume. Students who need to remain on campus must register for housing using this form. Food service (in Hamilton-Williams Campus Center) will begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday as scheduled for those who must stay on campus. The Simpson Querrey Fitness Center, Morrill Family Strength & Conditioning Room, and Meek Aquatics and Recreation Center all will be closed.
- All events, except athletic events, through March 29, are canceled. No spectators will be admitted at indoor athletics events; spectators will be permitted at outdoor events. Athletes participating in in-season sports will receive more information soon from the Athletics Department.
- OWU campus offices will remain open for business, and we will continue to welcome prospective students and their families. Staff are expected to continue to report to campus and should work with their direct supervisor as decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis regarding alternate work locations.
- Students, faculty, and staff who traveled during spring break are asked to complete a travel registry form. This will help us know who may need additional follow-up related to risk exposure. Per information from the Delaware General Health District and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we also are asking travelers to monitor their health for 14 days after returning to campus. This includes taking and recording their temperature twice a day and following good health guidelines including not going to class or other public areas if they are running a fever.
Anyone scheduled to participate in University-sponsored travel must get approval for their trip. Students should contact the Office of International & Off-Campus Programs; faculty should contact the Provost’s Office; and staff should contact their vice president. (Please note: University travel continues to be restricted to countries with an elevated coronavirus risk including those with Centers for Disease Control Watch (Level 1), Alert (Level 2), or Warning (Level 3) designations and/or countries with S. Department of State Level 3 or Level 4 travel alerts/warnings.)
As of this writing, Ohio Wesleyan will continue to operate the Early Childhood Center. In all instances, including ECC attendance, we ask people not to come to campus if they are feeling sick, running a fever, have a compromised immune system, or have other health concerns.
The COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly, and Ohio Wesleyan will continue to monitor the situation and collaborate with public health officials to determine whether changes are needed to these protocols.
