Presidential Perspective: Vaccination rollout

May 20, 2021

Vaccinations available on campus – Get yours NOW

Student residents will be kept healthy by mandatory immunizations prior to Fall semester

The success of our “Grizzlies Protect Grizzlies: Healthy Together” plan demonstrates how the Oakland University community works together for the common good.

And now, we must come together again.

I am thrilled to report that we have secured an abundant supply of vaccinations. In the spirit of cooperation and shared cause, I appeal to you to continue doing your part and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Our collective effort to be immunized will allow us to return to an open, vibrant campus. Further, this latest development fortifies our status as the state’s safest campus, and the third most secure university in the country.

Beginning Wednesday, Oakland will make vaccinations widely available on campus. Our goal is for every member of the OU community to receive a vaccination before the end of spring semester, and to ensure that all students, faculty and staff are completely immunized before the start of fall semester.

The options for immunization include:

  • Faculty, staff and students may get their vaccine on Wednesday-Friday, April 7- 9 at a Rite-Aid clinic located in Meadow Brook Theatre. Hours: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Wednesday; 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, and, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday.

Please register

at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfqffAD1ncz7WopE6_Q_q- iSf1gANpMH-YhQnH4krXUrAJlg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Appointments for the second of the two-shot vaccination series will be scheduled at the initial visit, and that appointment will be at an OU site. If students cannot make it to their second shot appointment, then they should schedule their vaccination for the one-shot vaccine on April 13.

 

  • Students (only) can receive the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine from 8:30

a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 13. Vaccination shots will be administered at the Oakland Center. (By the way, as an incentive, immunized students will receive a special gift from me. You’ll have to get your shot to find out what it is.)

APPOINTMENTS are required to receive a vaccination. Details to register are available and information will be updated at https://www.oakland.edu/return- to-campus/covid-19-vaccines/

Vaccinations will be available 8:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Monday – Friday. Please sign up through patient portal on the GHC web page: https://www.oakland.edu/ghc/

We are fortunate that Oakland is receiving these vaccines at a time when Michigan is experiencing a dramatic increase in both the number of COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 variants. Remember: The most effective way to prevent infection and transmission of this virus is vaccination.

Fall semester 2021: Mandatory immunizations for student-residents

In order to ensure the health and safety of every student resident, students living on campus in residence halls, apartments and cottages must be vaccinated prior to fall move in on Friday, August 27. Exceptions will be made for students who seek a religious or medical exemption.

This requirement means if you live in any of Oakland’s six residence halls, Ann V. Nicholson Apartments, George T. Matthews Courts Apartments, or Greek cottages, then you must be fully vaccinated before check in. Further, the verification of your vaccination status must be submitted prior to moving in.

By immunizing our entire community, we can return to pre-pandemic normalcy. This will allow us to repopulate campus, and re-introduce the many unique features of the OU experience, including on-campus dining, attending special events, concerts, and cheering on our Grizzlies sports teams. Of course, this also means we can, once again, gather for commencement ceremonies and other traditional occasions.

Fostering a community of higher learning requires a shared and coordinated effort. Thank you for doing your part in making Oakland a safe, healthy and vibrant campus.

I look forward to seeing you on campus after you are vaccinated.

Go Grizzlies!

Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.

President