SOU Campus Notifications
Return to SOU Campus Fall 2020
Southern Oregon University has been engaged with local, regional, state and national partners as we prepare to resume full operations this fall. Planning the resumption of activities is a complex endeavor and has been highlighted by collaboration, dedication and commitment to the safety and health of our Raider family.
Latest Updates:
- COVID-19 case report-July 26, 2020 July 27, 2020You are receiving this email about a new COVID-19 case within the SOU community because you signed up to receive notifications about the pandemic. SOU is committed to providing accurate, timely information as we work together through these challenging times. July 26, 2020: One COVID-19 case One SOU employee who works at the Ashland campus, but has […]
- COVID-19 case report-July 15, 2020 July 17, 2020You are receiving this email about a new COVID-19 case within the SOU community because you signed up to receive notifications about the pandemic. SOU is committed to providing accurate, timely information as we work together through these challenging times. July 15, 2020: Two COVID-19 cases One SOU student from Jackson County but not currently […]
- PROVOST MESSAGE: thanks to faculty June 10, 2020Dear Faculty Colleagues, Please accept my most sincere thanks and congratulations for making it to the end of spring term. I can only imagine how incredibly difficult these past several months have been for all of you; know how much I appreciate everything you have done to respond to those many challenges. I write today to reinforce President […]
- UPDATE: reopening plans (June 5) June 9, 2020Dear SOU campus community, We are nearing the end of spring term, and much of our campus community will soon slow down and take a deep collective breath – in relief and in celebration of what we have accomplished together. But much of our work continues, including our thinking and planning for fall term 2020. […]
Sign-up for SOU Alerts and Notifications
This notification system is open to parents, relatives, and the general public. By signing up, you can receive communications specific to the COVID-19 situation at SOU. SOU will post to this notification list periodically as events transpire and as decisions are made. You can unsubscribe at any time by logging in below or replying UNSUBSCRIBE to any text messages you receive.
Other Resources
Want to read more about COVID-19?
A great deal of information is now available, and we’ll add more relevant links as we learn of them:
- 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.
- An epidemiologist from the Bloomberg School of Health at Johns Hopkins University provides a clear explanation of what we might expect from COVID-19 as the outbreak spreads and recedes.
- SOU’s Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning offers faculty members an Instructional Resiliency Guide with information about maintaining continuity during challenging situations.
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.
What offices are open on the SOU campus?
COVID19 – Office Staffing
- Business Services: Payroll, Print & Copy, Bursar’s Office, 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.
- Service Center: Service Center office open for deposits 10 am to 2 pm weekdays; support specialists, and purchasing and contracting personnel available by phone or email from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.
- Raider Student Services: phone and email hours, 9 am to 5 pm weekdays, call or email for essential physical appointments, email from sou.edu account and include student ID number to arrange Zoom or Google Hangouts meetings regarding general questions (StudentServices@sou.edu); financial aid (finaid@sou.edu); scholarships (finaidschol@sou.edu); VA benefits (vabenefits@sou.edu); or collections (collections@sou.edu).
- University Housing: Front desk at Greensprings, 8 am to 10 pm daily for rent, keys, check-ins, mail and packages; The Hawk for takeout food, 7 am to 9 am, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, 5 pm to 7 pm; The Landing for takeout food and beverages, 7:30 am to 1 pm.
- Information Technology: available by phone, email or Google Chat, or arrange communication by Zoom or Google Meet, 8 am to 5 pm for help desk, network, systems administration or classrooms and labs, and from 7 am to 5:30 pm for the Banner and Applications team.
- Campus Public Safety: office closed to walk-in traffic; services available 24/7 by phone through dispatch; Parking Services Office closed but available by phone or email for customer service.
What is SOU doing to protect the campus community?
We are following the CDC guidelines and reminding students to practice basic hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, and self-care. Our custodial staff members are going the extra mile to clean and (where appropriate) disinfect spaces and surfaces. If students, staff or faculty feel ill, they should stay home. SOU will monitor the situation closely and stay in regular communication with the community as details emerge.
How can I protect Myself?
Here are some simple tips to keep yourself healthy and help protect those around you:
- 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 the COVID-19?
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new 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.
Where should SOU employees go for leave and alternative work options?
SOU faculty and staff should visit the Human Resources COVID-19 Webpage for information about leave and telecommuting options.
Is there a policy on Isolation?
General Isolation Policy
Following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week, any travelers to the U.S. returning or coming for the first time from any country under a CDC Warning Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) are expected to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether that direction is specifically given to them at the U.S. point of entry. Those Level 3 countries are China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea, but there is a strong possibility that this list of countries will grow. Individuals who have transited these nations do not need to self-isolate if they did not leave the airport. If they left the airport or remained in the airport for more than 24 hours, self-isolation is required. Updates will be announced and posted to the University’s new FAQs as soon as possible if more countries are added to the list.
*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.
