SOU Student Conduct

The Office of the Dean of Students welcomes you to our community. We have created this page to ensure that you have information regarding COVID-19 and provide you with the resources found in the Code of Student Conduct – including guidance on guests/visitors, face covering/mask-wearing and social distancing. This letter serves as a reminder of the university’s expectations related to the health and safety of our Southern Oregon University community.

We want to ensure the safety of our whole community. As such, we provide the following daily reminders:

• Complete the daily health screening questionnaire on Inside SOU
• Wear face coverings on campus
• Maintain social distancing
• Wash your hands frequently and clean high-touch surfaces
• Do not engage in gatherings that are inconsistent with SOU policy
• Report concerns through SOU Cares

Why do these policies exist?
As COVID-19 continues to impact public health and members of our university, we align to the principles noted in the Code of Student Conduct: “mutual respect, personal and academic integrity, civil discourse, and responsible decision-making” These principles enable us to create the safest possible environments for all members of our community. We expect our students to exemplify the university’s values regarding the well-being and success of all learners by holding each other accountable to following university and state guidelines to prevent further spread of COVID-19. While it might seem these daily and conscious actions go unnoticed, our individual and collective impact could save lives.

How can I comply with COVID-19 guidelines?
Stay informed. To better comply with guidelines moving forward, all Southern Oregon University community members should read communication sent by SOU with updated guidance that is informed by city, county, state and federal regulations. We know you get a lot of emails. Please read them; they will help keep you informed of the most current information we have at any given time. Sign up for SOU Alerts: you can access your SOU Alert Account on your InsideSOU account in the top, right-hand corner of the page (in the blue box).

What if I do not comply?
If you do not comply with university guidance, you will be held accountable to the Code of Student Conduct. As in other cases involving university policy, procedure or guideline violation(s), your non-compliance will be reported using the SOU Cares Report. From there, you will receive outreach to review and resolve the matter. See the SOU Code of Student Conduct for more information. Non-compliance will lead to University Probation and could lead to your removal from campus. For students living in University Housing, you will be removed from all of campus (including housing) and will be held to the financial terms of the contract.

At this time, face coverings are required in shared or common spaces and at all campus activities until the policy is rescinded. Face coverings are required in buildings and spaces on campus, including in outdoor spaces. No one is exempt from wearing a face covering. If you require an accommodation to this policy, please contact Disability Resources to explore a reasonable modification: dr@sou.edu .

Students in their residence hall rooms by themselves or with their roommates/suite-mates are not required to wear face coverings. However, coverings should be worn in all common spaces of residence halls, including hallways, stairways, elevators, and meeting or recreational rooms. Please read the University Housing: Additional Expectations for Living on Campus for more information.

Student employees who are on-campus and unable to wear a face-covering should contact Human Resources (Churchill Hall, Room 159; 541.552.8553 ; hrs@sou.edu ) and complete the SOU HR Accommodation Request Form. Students should contact Disability Resources ( 541.552.5213 , option 2; dr@sou.edu ).

Everyone is encouraged to provide their own reusable face coverings. Additionally, the university has a limited supply of cloth masks available for those unable to make or buy their own. Masks may be obtained, without charge, at the following locations:

• Human Resources (Churchill Hall, Room 159)
• Student Health and Wellness Center (560 Indiana Street)
• Information Technology (Computing Services, Help Desk)
• Facilities, Management and Planning (351 Walker Street)

While circumstances may be unique to each student, below are some reflection questions to support you in making choices that lead to the desired and positive impact on self and others:

1. When not following COVID-19 guidelines, what impact could I have on my community?
2. How can violating these guidelines impact those who are not in my immediate community?
3. What are steps I can take to be a better example for those around me?
4. If I could change my past behaviors, what would I have done differently?
5. How would I address another member of the community who I believe is violating COVID-19 guidelines?
6. What is my responsibility to safeguard myself and the Raider Community through filing an SOU Cares Report?

Where can I find out more information about COVID-19 and SOU?
Below are educational and informative resources to help students safely and successfully navigate university life and policies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

General COVID-19 Information

1. Southern Oregon University COVID-19 Response: https://sou.edu/campus/notifications
   Sign up for SOU Alerts and Notifications here (scroll down, link on right side)
2. Jackson County COVID-19 Guidance & Updates: https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19
3. Oregon State COVID-19 Guidance & Updates: https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
4. Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Guidance & Updates: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

On & Off Campus Resources

1. Office of the Dean of Students: https://inside.sou.edu/dos
2. Student Health & Wellness Center: https://inside.sou.edu/health/index.html
3. Disability Resources: https://inside.sou.edu/dr/index.html
4. University Housing: https://inside.sou.edu/housing/covid.html
5. SOU Cares Report: https://inside.sou.edu/eg/reporting.html
6. The Disaster Distress Helpline can be reached at 1.800.985.5990 or through text by sending “TalkWithUs” to 66746

How do I find comfort and community?
These times can feel isolating. Although you may feel lonely, you are not alone and we care about you and your well-being.

Additionally, below are some resources and suggestions for how to find comfort by yourself and maintain a sense of connection to your community:

1. Instead of hanging out in-person with friends, alternative ways to connect can be through virtual game nights, virtual movie nights, sending each other hand-written letters, and/or texting each other daily “check-in” pictures or selfies. If you wish to be near others, we recommend exploring socially distanced outdoor activities in groups of five or fewer people (or as permitted by most updated guidance). Always remember to wear a mask and stay six feet apart.
2. Explore new hobbies and interests. Need help? Let us know so we can support you.
3. Join virtual student events hosted by SOU organizations and departments. You can find them on SOU Presence, in the Southern Exposure daily email newsletter, or by following social media connections.
4. Do you or a friend need support? Let us know by filling out a Cares Report and a member of the Office of the Dean of Students will reach out to see how we can best support you.

We ask students to take ownership of their choices and provide educational opportunities and resources that foster personal growth, repair harm, rebuild trust and strengthen each student’s relationship with the university.

Contact the Dean Of Students at dos@sou.edu for any questions.