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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Virtual Campus Services Contact Information

Coronavirus Update

March 25, 2020

Today, OSU announced that to further support social distancing and to comply with Governor Kevin Stitt’s executive order for all non-essential businesses to close, all buildings on the Stillwater campus will be closed through April 15. In coordination with this decision, OSU-Tulsa will extend our campus building closure through April 15.

 

March 24, 2020

As reported cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in the Tulsa area, it is becoming increasingly likely that many of us will come into contact with someone who has been affected. We have recently received reports of at least one member of the OSU-Tulsa community with an unconfirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and others who have interacted with family and community contacts who have tested positive for the virus.

In an effort to protect our campus community and out of an abundance of caution, we will close all OSU-Tulsa campus buildings starting at 5 p.m. March 24 through April 15*. This means no students, faculty or staff other than essential on-site personnel will be allowed on campus.

Campus services including student services, academic advising, library, faculty support and human resources will continue to operate virtually online and by phone.

Over the past several weeks, we have pulled together to take proactive measures to protect our campus community and do our part to prevent the spread of this virus. We will continue to do everything we can to flatten the curve through social distancing and other measures as outlined by the CDC and Tulsa Health Department. Here is what you can do to help:

  • Stay home as much as possible. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
  • If you need to go out in public, practice social distancing by putting at least six feet between yourself and other people.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily using an EPA-registered household disinfectant or a solution of diluted bleach or alcohol.

We will continue to communicate updates as developments warrant. If you have questions, please contact:

We know the uncertainty at this time can be overwhelming. It is by working together that we will navigate through this challenging situation successfully.

Thank you for your cooperation and support. Your concern, patience and kindness are sincerely appreciated.

Please continue to stay informed, healthy and safe.

Sincerely,
Pamela Fry, Ed.D.
President, Oklahoma State University-Tulsa

*In order to provide the most accurate information possible, this date has been updated from the original post to reflect the most up-to-date information.

Information for Students

Information for Faculty and Staff

  • OSU provides resources to assist full-time academic and staff employees and their eligible dependents to help navigate the personal and emotional challenges through our Employee Assistance Program, GuidanceResources. Call 1-855-850-2397 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). GuidanceResources provides confidential, short-term counseling at no cost to the employee. More about the university’s Employee Assistance Program can be found on the OSU HR web page.
  • If faculty or staff have any questions or concerns related to working during this time or the university’s temporary telecommuting guidelines, OSU in Tulsa Human Resources is here to help you. Contact them at tulsa.hr@okstate.edu or 918-594-8221.
  • The OSU-Tulsa Green Screen Video room is available for OSU-Tulsa faculty who wish to utilize it to record lectures. The room is available by reservation only. Submit a reservation request using this form.
  • OSU-Tulsa faculty who need faculty support assistance should email tulfacsupportsvcs@okstate.edu. Multiple staff members will monitor this email address to ensure uninterrupted support.
  • The OSU Graduate College has published an information page for students and faculty. Visit the Graduate College website for contact information and updates.
  • The OSU Vice President for Research has published Research Continuity Guidelines for faculty and student researchers.

Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to prioritize the health and well-being of our campus community. Your health and well-being are equally important as we continue to address challenges associated with this pandemic. Please reach out with any questions or concerns you have. We are here for you, and we are here to help.

More information

Previous Updates

March 23, 2020

Updated on March 23 to add travel guidance and reflect changes to Helmerich Research Center access. 

During the past two weeks, we have taken a series of measures to protect our community from the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. At times it seems a new email arrives every hour with additional news; we are doing our best to send out relevant and important information the minute we know it to keep you informed.

With that in mind, here are updates on a range of issues related to COVID-19 and OSU-Tulsa.

General Campus Information

  • All OSU-Tulsa and Stillwater classes will be held online through the end of the semester. If students have questions or concerns about their classes, they should contact their instructor, academic advisor (undergraduate students) or the Graduate College (graduate students).
  • All on-campus events and Conference Center meetings scheduled through April 15 are postponed, rescheduled or canceled. We will evaluate on-campus events and gatherings, including the OSU-Tulsa Graduation Ceremony, beyond then as updated guidelines are released.
  • Small in-person meetings of less than 10 individuals are not impacted by these guidelines, but we encourage all staff to practice social distancing of at least six feet if you are meeting in person.
  • The Tulsa Health Department recommends that students, faculty and staff who have traveled to areas with widespread or ongoing community spread should stay home 14 days from their return to self-monitor and avoid contact with others as a preventative measure. All 50 states have reported cases of COVID-19 to CDC and many have community-acquired cases where the source of the infection is unknown. Read more from the THD website.
  • If you are experiencing symptoms including fever (over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius), cough or shortness of breath, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Do not come to campus.
  • Due to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tulsa Health Department and Mayor G.T. Bynum, the following on-campus areas are closed until further notice: Wellness Center, Testing Center, Subway.
  • The OSU-Tulsa Temporary Library is closed to visitors; however, the Library is offering virtual services for students and faculty.
  • The OSU-Tulsa Al Carlozzi Center for Counseling is seeing clients virtually using telehealth services. All scheduled workshops are postponed.
  • While our Information Center staff is telecommuting, the main OSU-Tulsa telephone number (918-594-8000) is being answered as usual between the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • To maintain security during this time of fewer people on campus, unsecured buildings on campus are restricted to specified entrances. These are:
    • Main Hall: West Commons Entrance (facing Lot C) and North Commons Entrance (facing North Hall)
    • North Hall: Lobby Entrance (near the Information Center, closest to John Hope Franklin Blvd.)
    • Administration Hall: North Entrance (near the Auditorium)
    • Helmerich Research Center: Closed to all undergraduate students in order to facilitate social distancing. Engineering students should contact your instructor if you have questions about assignments or contact the Associate Dean for Engineering at OSU-Tulsa's office if you have additional questions.

Information for Students

Information for Faculty and Staff

  • OSU provides resources to assist full-time academic and staff employees and their eligible dependents to help navigate the personal and emotional challenges through our Employee Assistance Program, GuidanceResources. Call 1-855-850-2397 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). GuidanceResources provides confidential, short-term counseling at no cost to the employee. More about the university’s Employee Assistance Program can be found on the OSU HR web page.
  • If faculty or staff have any questions or concerns related to working during this time or the university’s temporary telecommuting guidelines, OSU in Tulsa Human Resources is here to help you. Contact them at tulsa.hr@okstate.edu or 918-594-8221.
  • The OSU-Tulsa Green Screen Video room is available for OSU-Tulsa faculty who wish to utilize it to record lectures. The room is available by reservation only. Submit a reservation request using this form.
  • OSU-Tulsa faculty who need faculty support assistance should email tulfacsupportsvcs@okstate.edu. Multiple staff members will monitor this email address to ensure uninterrupted support.
  • The OSU Graduate College has published an information page for students and faculty. Visit the Graduate College website for contact information and updates.
  • The OSU Vice President for Research has published Research Continuity Guidelines for faculty and student researchers.

Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to prioritize the health and well-being of our campus community. Your health and well-being are equally important as we continue to address challenges associated with this pandemic. Please reach out with any questions or concerns you have. We are here for you, and we are here to help.

March 18, 2020

We continue to work together during this challenging time to make informed decisions to protect our entire campus and do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It can't be said enough: nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our OSU family. Even though we have already taken extraordinary precautions and measures, we must do more as the situation continues to evolve.

The most recent White House and CDC guidelines for social distancing have made it apparent we must now take additional steps to do our part to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak.

OSU Moving Fully Online for Remainder of Spring Semester
All classes at the Stillwater and Tulsa campuses will be delivered online for the remainder of the spring semester. Students with questions about online courses can find guidance through this page. Instructors who need further assistance with their course migration should consult with these ITLE resources.

We assure our students: we are working together with our faculty and staff to make sure you can complete and pursue your academic goals.

Spring Graduation Ceremonies
We are engaging with students to consider alternatives to our traditional spring graduation events, and we will advise as we have the final plan.

As always, we are proud to see the Cowboy Family pulling together at this critical juncture to support and encourage one another through the uncertainty. Take care of your health as we weather unprecedented times.

March 15, 2020

With Sunday's declaration of a state of emergency for Oklahoma, and in coordination with Oklahoma State University-Stillwater’s reduction in services, OSU-Tulsa will begin limiting access to high-traffic areas on campus effective tomorrow, Monday, March 16.

All Conference Center meetings and events and all university-sponsored events through April 5 have been canceled or rescheduled. In an abundance of caution and until further notice, the OSU-Tulsa Wellness Center will be closed. We encourage everyone purchasing food from our on-campus Subway to choose to have their meal “to-go.”

As of today, there are no known cases of COVID-19 within our campus community. During this time, our housekeeping staff will be taking extra precautions to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in keeping with CDC recommendations.

Employees should continue to report to work as planned and schedules will remain unchanged as the university determines the next steps forward.

We ask that all employees follow social distancing guidelines when at work including reducing or eliminating face-to-face meetings and allowing six feet of distance between you and colleagues. Virtual meetings, conference calls and phone calls are encouraged over visits.

We will continue to be sensitive and responsive to the needs of our campus community and will keep you informed as we are advised by our local health officials. Thank you for your continued cooperation as nothing remains more important than the health of our campus community. 

March 12, 2020

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to protect our campus community, we will be conducting classes online for the Stillwater and Tulsa campuses the two weeks following spring break, beginning Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3. Please be advised there are currently no known cases of COVID-19 at OSU. The clear guidance from our public health experts is that this step is a move to protect the health of our campus community.

OSU campuses will remain open. All non-classroom activities will continue following our stated travel guidelines. Faculty and staff should report to work as usual. Employees able to temporarily work from home may coordinate with their supervisors to identify possible teleworking opportunities.

BOB, the Big Orange Bus shuttle between Tulsa and Stillwater, will not run between March 16 and April 6.

Spring Break Travel

If you are planning travel for Spring Break, review the latest travel guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pending travelers from Level 3 restricted areas

Any OSU-Tulsa faculty, staff or students traveling from a Level 3 restricted area should contact Patty White, OSU-Tulsa and OSU-CHS safety manager, at 918-561-8391 or patty.white@okstate.edu prior to arriving on campus to schedule a medical screening.

Precautions 

If you think you may have been in contact with someone who has or who is suspected of having the coronavirus, and you develop a fever with a cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of contact, call your physician immediately to discuss your history. Call first instead of going directly to the hospital, where you may infect other people.

If you need information about free or low-cost health care clinics in Tulsa, please contact OSU-Tulsa Campus Life.

If you live in Stillwater, see this Frequently Asked Questions about the coronavirus for information about services available through OSU University Health Services.