News and Information

COVID-19 AND SOU

SOU will reopen campus as soon as it is safe to do so during fall 2021!

Classes will be primarily remote to begin fall term, and will shift to largely in-person on Oct. 11 or soon thereafter.

To protect the health and safety of our university community and the communities we serve, the university will require students, faculty and staff who will be on campus to be vaccinated prior to the start of the fall 2021 academic term. Those who cannot receive vaccinations for medical, religious or philosophical reasons may file for exemptions.

This page is intended to provide guidance, resources and timely information for all members of the SOU community.

STUDENT SAFETY BROCHURE

STUDENT CONDUCT REMINDERS

LOCAL TESTING LOCATIONS

A novel strain of coronavirus has been monitored and investigated since early 2020 by agencies including Jackson County Public Health, the Oregon Health Authority, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The disease is COVID-19, which stands for “coronavirus disease 2019” – the year in which it was identified.

Southern Oregon University works proactively with local and state health agencies, and collaborates with other colleges and universities, to inform those we serve and to protect their health and well-being. Resources on this page are refreshed as new information emerges.

Testing at SOU

SOU does not test all students. Neither Jackson County Public Health nor the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend universal testing of students. Universal testing does not reduce transmission beyond what can be accomplished through prevention measures (e.g. social distancing, cloth face coverings, hand washing, and enhanced cleaning). The campus is partnering with Valley Immediate Care to conduct COVID testing for students who experience symptoms and/or have been in recent contact with individuals who may have tested positive. Students are referred to Valley Immediate Care for testing.

Resources

Want to learn more about COVID-19?

A great deal of information is now available, and we’ll add more relevant links as we learn of them:

A policy on SOU’s vaccination requirement is under review and will be linked here when it is completed. It will require all employees and students to either attest that they have been fully vaccinated with an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine; file for an exemption to the requirement based on medical, religious or philosophical reasons; or defer until the FDA moves currently available vaccines from emergency use authorization to full authorization.
The Oregon Health Authority’s current statewide requirements for face coverings are available in English and in Spanish.
General, up-to-date information can be found on a dedicated CDC web page.
Information about our area is provided by Jackson County Public Health.
A statewide perspective – and updates by email subscription – are available from the Oregon Health Authority.
Information and resources for those affiliated with colleges and universities is provided by Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
A global view of the COVID-19 outbreak is provided by the World Health Organization.
COVID-19 from the academic and medical viewpoint is available from the Johns Hopkins University & Medicine – Coronavirus Resource Center and that university also offers an updated map of COVID-19’s spread.

Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19

We all have questions about the global COVID-19 outbreak and how it may affect us, our university, and the state, region and world. We offer a few answers below.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe, and do they work?

Reactions to the vaccines that are currently available are extremely rare. Each of the three vaccines has been determined to be highly effective at preventing those who have received shots from contracting the virus; the small percentage who become infected after vaccination typically develop mild or no symptoms. Much more information is available on the Oregon Health Authority website.

What is SOU doing to protect the campus community?

We are requiring full COVID-19 vaccination for employees and students – other than those who apply for medical, religious or philosophical exemptions – beginning in fall term 2021. We continue to follow CDC guidelines and remind all members of the campus community to practice basic hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, and self-care. Our custodial staff members goes the extra mile to clean and (where appropriate) disinfect spaces and surfaces. If students, staff or faculty feel ill, they are encouraged to stay home. SOU facilitates testing and monitors those who test positive for the virus.

How can I protect myself?

Here are some simple tips to keep yourself healthy and help protect those around you:

Get your free COVID-19 vaccination from any of the vaccination sites or providers where the shots are now available; this provides the best protection for those who are vaccinated and ultimately helps to prevent further spread of the virus.
Wear a face covering and observe physical distancing when you are around others who may not have been vaccinated.
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
Call the Student Health & Wellness Center (students) or your personal doctor (employees) if you’re very sick.

What is COVID-19?

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not previously been identified.

What is the source of COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people. Health officials suggest COVID-19 may have originated in a large, open seafood and live animal market.

How does the virus spread?

The virus probably emerged originally from an animal source but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization report that the virus now spreads primarily from person-to-person. It is transmitted between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet), primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also spread when people touch surfaces or objects contaminated by the virus and then touch their own mouth, nose or eyes.

What symptoms does COVID-19 cause?

Symptoms reported for patients with the virus include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and shortness of breath.

What if I start to feel ill?

People who have traveled internationally (especially to China, Iran, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong or South Korea) in the past 14 days – or have had close contact with someone who is confirmed to have, or is under examination for COVID-19 – should closely monitor their health and follow the CDC’s guidelines if they start to feel ill. SOU students are encouraged to check-in by phone with the Student Health & Wellness Center (541-552-6136) and employees may contact their personal doctors.

CORONAVIRUS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES

*Please watch this brief video from the CDC regarding COVID-19. Remember, viruses don’t discriminate and they cannot target people from specific ethnicities or racial backgrounds. Associating an infectious disease with a specific group or nationality perpetuates stigma and harms the people targeted.

COVID-19 is not connected to any particular ethnicity or race. Racist behaviors or stereotyping are not acceptable at Southern Oregon University. If you experience harassment or discrimination, please file a bias incident report here.

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