ONU Requiring Students to Move Out as Remote Education has Been Extended

Effective immediately, the University will take these additional actions:

After considering new information presented in the past few days, we have made the difficult decision to extend remote education for the rest of the semester.

Effective March 17, 2020, ALL instruction moved into alternative, remote delivery mode, including laboratories and all other learning activities that were previously scheduled to occur in person, a change that will further encourage social distancing.

Students will be required to move out of the residence halls by Sunday, March 22, 2020, at 5 p.m. There will be exceptions made for students whose personal circumstances make it necessary for them to stay on campus. Additional information about the move-out process and how to apply for an exception to remain on campus has been sent to students. A policy regarding refunds/rebates for room and board is forthcoming. We encourage students to move out as soon as practical and have urged faculty to be flexible regarding their assignments and any synchronous instruction during this move-out week.

The University has cancelled all large gatherings, indoor public events.

University buildings are closed to the general public, deliveries of mail and packages will continue.

We have suspended all campus visits (individual and group) and programs, including our April 18 Polar Preview Day, until further notice.

Non-essential commercial travel (air, train, bus) for University business is suspended for all faculty and staff.

All University-related student travel, including team competitions and travel to conferences, is suspended.

The Presidents Council of the Ohio Athletic Conference has voted to cancel all 2020 spring sports seasons. This includes all athletically related activities as defined by the NCAA. In addition, all meetings, practices and other off-season activities for other sports are also cancelled.

The ONU Health Center, Counseling Center, Healthwise Pharmacy and The Inn’s hotel operations will remain open to the public, including take-out options only for The Inn’s restaurant

ONU HealthWise Community Pharmacy will remain open with regular hours. The Pharmacy has extended its home prescription delivery service to all patients in Hardin County, and to anyone living within 40 miles of the pharmacy including Lima and Findlay. Curbside pick-up at the pharmacy also is available. Individuals interested in this service should call 419-772-3784. The Pharmacy can transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies to allow anyone to take advantage of this service. The Pharmacy can mail prescriptions to students at their home through the remainder of the spring and summer. Prescriptions may be refilled through the website, the App, and telephone 419-772-3784.

The Child Development Center will remain open for the time being.

In order to maximize the health and safety of our employees, as well as continue to operate the University on a daily basis, we are working to minimize the number of people present on campus. For at least the next two weeks and effective today, March 17 until March 31, 2020, leadership has begun conversations with employees who can work remotely and is implementing alternate work schedules to reduce the number of people working on campus at any given time.

The University will remain open, including academic resources such as the library and study spaces, residence facilities by exception only and dining facilities with to-go options. The Inn also will remain open. Social distancing and enhanced preventative public health and hygiene measures are actively encouraged. These actions will be reevaluated on an ongoing basis and updates or modifications will be communicated as necessary.

Please stay abreast of this dynamic situation using these resources:

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus that currently has no vaccine. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath and may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. At this point, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Stopping transmission (spread) of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy. ONU, working together with local health departments, has an important role in slowing the spread of diseases to help ensure students have safe and healthy learning environments. Schools serve students, staff and visitors from throughout the community. All of these people may have close contact in the school setting, often sharing spaces, equipment and supplies.