The College continues to closely monitor the dynamic situation regarding vaccination mandates, vaccinations, and isolation/quarantine guidelines. At this time, we will continue to operate during the Spring semester as planned, based on current College guidelines and practices. Because the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 are ever-changing, Owens leadership will communicate updates to College operations as soon as possible.
To learn more about COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccines, faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to visit the Ohio Department of Health – COVID-19 website.
The COVID-19 Response Team reminds faculty, staff and students that if you are experiencing symptoms, are exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19, you must complete the COVID-19 Notification Form. The COVID-19 Response Team appreciates your patience. If you have questions or concerns related to this update and/or the College’s COVID-19 guidelines, policies and/or procedures, please contact the COVID-19 Response Team at covid19@owens.edu. Please note, response time from the Response Team may be delayed if notifications or emails are sent during non-business hours, weekends and/or holidays.
FAQ’s
Does the College Have a Vaccination Mandate?
At this time, the College will not implement a vaccine mandate for its employees and students; however, there could be additional nuances for the future as the courts continue to rule upon this important topic. Please keep in mind, there may be some academic programs that require the vaccination to participate in clinical settings. If you have questions regarding whether your program requires a COVID-19 vaccination, please reach out to your department supervisor.
What are the Current Quarantine and/or Isolation Procedures?
The CDC has recently made changes to the isolation and quarantine guidelines for individuals who have tested positive, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The following are the College’s updated guidelines:
- Those who test positive for COVID-19 and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms:
You must stay home and isolate for five days, regardless of your vaccination status and/or if you are experiencing symptoms. Note: For symptomatic people, “Day 1” is considered the first full day after symptoms develop. You may return to campus after the five days if you have no symptoms or symptoms are improving. If you have a fever, even a low-grade fever that is going down, you should continue to isolate until your temperature is normal. Also, you should wear a face mask around others – even at home – for five additional days. There is no need to test negative to get out of isolation. This is because even after the five-day quarantine process, tests can remain positive for months after a COVID-19 infection, although you are no longer infectious. - Those exposed to COVID-19 who are up to date on vaccines:
No need to quarantine at home after exposure if you do not have a fever or other symptoms. If you do have a fever or other symptoms, stay at home until your fever is gone or other symptoms are better. Wear a face mask around others for ten days. It is recommended that you get tested if you develop symptoms, or five days after exposure (if possible). - Those exposed to COVID-19 who are unvaccinated or not up to date on vaccines:
You must quarantine at home for five days and continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days. Please test if you develop symptoms or five days after exposure if you were found positive. Note: You must quarantine for the entire five days regardless even if a negative test is obtained.
Do I have to wear a mask on campus?
Owens Community College will no longer require fully vaccinated faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear a mask. Those who are not fully vaccinated should, but are not required to, wear a mask on campus. Anyone who prefers to continue to wear a mask, whether vaccinated or not, should feel free to do so. The Owens Community College shuttle service will no longer require riders to wear a mask per the updated federal and state guidelines.
What If I Have a Question or Concern That Is Not Listed Here?
Employees and students are encouraged to send COVID-19 related questions and concerns to covid19@owens.edu.
Is the Student Health and Athletic Center (SHAC) and Findlay Fitness Center Open?
Both the SHAC and Findlay Fitness Center will be open during the Spring semester. Please visit the SHAC’s and Fitness Center’s websites for information regarding hours and procedures.
What Additional Measures Is Owens Taking to Ensure the Health and Safety of Our Community?
All current water bottle fill stations are open and operating on both campuses. The bipolar ionization air filtration project is complete and operational in Health Technologies, Bicentennial Hall, Student Health and Activities Center, AVCC, Library, Math/Science, CFPA, Heritage Hall, and College Hall. The College is also continuing its increased safety and cleaning measures throughout our campuses.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Exposed to COVID-19, Am Experiencing COVID-19-Like Symptoms, and/or Received a Positive Test?
Do not come to campus and submit a notification form to the COVID-19 Response Team. The notification form can be found at https://www.owens.edu/covid19/notification/. Once the notification form is received, you will receive an email containing further instructions and information, including a return to campus date. (Please note that response time from the Response Team may be delayed if notification or email is received during non-business hours, weekends and/or holidays.)
Where Can I Find Information Regarding COVID-19 Testing?
Can I Meet with Advisors/Faculty in Person or Is It All Online?
Please check with your individual faculty members regarding options for meetings. Also, please check individual websites for updated service hours, contact information, and support options. For more information, please visit Student Services website.
Can Meetings Be Held Face to Face?
Yes, meetings may be held face to face. However, the College continues to encourage holding meetings in a virtual setting when possible.
Where Can I Go to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccination?
Please visit any of the following for information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
What Should I Do If I Have to Quarantine and/or Isolate?
College faculty and staff will make every effort to help a student finish their coursework. Students should contact their faculty member(s) to determine what alternate arrangements can be made to ensure all course requirements can continue to be met.
Employees should contact their supervisor to determine what alternate arrangements can be made.
Faculty, staff, and students should complete the COVID-19 notification form online at: https://www.owens.edu/covid19/notification/. Once the notification form is received, you will receive an email containing further instructions and information, including a return to campus date. (Please note that response time from the Response Team may be delayed if notification or email is received during non-business hours, weekends and/or holidays.)
Do I Still Need to Report Possible COVID-19 Exposures to the College?
Yes. Please submit a notification form to the COVID-19 Response Team. The notification form can be found at https://www.owens.edu/covid19/notification/. Once the notification form is received, you will receive an email containing further instructions and information, including a return to campus date. (Please note that response time from the Response Team may be delayed if notification or email is received during non-business hours, weekends and/or holidays.)
Will the Owens Shuttle Still Be Running?
Yes, the shuttle will be running and face masks are optional. For a map and further information, visit www.owens.edu/shuttle/.
Will Food Be Available on Campus?
What are Some Healthy Habit Best Practices to Continue?
The Office of Workplace Safety and Health wants to remind everyone that it is still important to retain the healthy habits we’ve been practicing.
- Wash your hands thoroughly (remember the 20 second rule).
- Use a tissue or the crook of your elbow to cough or sneeze into; properly discard the tissue.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Consider alternatives to shaking hands to reduce germ transmission.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces, shared appliances, and tools often.
For more information visit the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html).
What Does Up-To-Date Vaccinated Mean?
An individual is considered up-to-date vaccinated if any of the following apply:
- If you received a booster dose of any COVID-19 vaccine;
- If you completed the primary series (both doses) of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine less than six months ago, or
- If you completed the primary series (one dose) of Johnson & Johnson vaccine less than two months ago.
This global pandemic has interrupted the lives of students, staff, and faculty. We encourage everyone to obtain information from your health care provider and follow any necessary health and safety precautions, including information from the Ohio Department of Health, Toledo-Lucas County, Wood County and Hancock County health departments, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Email us at COVID19@owens.edu.
