Intensified campus-wide push toward 90- percent fully vaccinated status of OU community

August 4, 2021

Mask mandate for all indoor buildings effective August 5

The health and safety of the Oakland University community remain my highest priority. Considering the many challenges throughout the pandemic, I have been determined to pursue the best possible decisions to keep us healthy, and protect us from the spread of Covid-19, and more recently its variants.

In that regard, I believe vaccinations are the most effective defense against the devastating health effects of Covid-19 and the variants, and will allow us to have as normal of an upcoming semester as possible.

Oakland University continues to strongly recommend that students, staff and faculty be vaccinated as soon as possible for the fall semester. While more than 70 percent of OU staff have been vaccinated, we must attain a 90-percent fully vaccinated status for the entire OU community (student, staff, faculty) to ensure the highest health-and-safety standard.

Achieving our shared goal requires accountability from students, staff and faculty to do their part and get vaccinated as we, together, take responsibility for a healthy community.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to voluntarily self-report vaccination status. Supervisors and department chairs will be authorized to ask if employees are vaccinated, but will not request or collect any information about why an employee is not vaccinated.

As an incentive to get vaccinated, all OU students, staff and faculty who upload their vaccination status will receive $100. An individual’s vaccination status will not be shared publicly by name. The data will be used only to track the vaccination percentage of individuals on campus. Proof of vaccination is already required prior to move-in for students living in on-campus housing.

Students, staff and faculty should have their first shot before the start of fall semester. Unvaccinated individuals can schedule their vaccinations by visiting OU’s Graham Health Center for an appointment, or by visiting a convenient vaccine clinic.

Mask-wearing mandate effective August 5

The CDC report of July 29 notes that the Delta variant is far more infectious than the earlier versions of the virus, and that those who are vaccinated can pass along the variant-virus and can become infected. With this in mind, the OU leadership team has decided to mandate the wearing of face masks inside all buildings, effective Thursday, August 5.

Although the probability of those vaccinated becoming infected is much lower, and the impact of the virus considerably milder, we believe the mask mandate provides the protection needed to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment. Face masks and inserts for added protection will be available on campus, and will be provided to individuals who do not have their own (at no cost).

Details on the mask requirement and expectations for the return to campus are listed at GRIZZLIES TOGETHER AGAIN.

The OU students, staff and faculty have demonstrated great perseverance and compassion throughout the challenging days of the pandemic. In the days and weeks ahead, we must draw strength from each other, and be committed to the health and wellbeing of the Golden Grizzlies community.

I look forward to seeing you soon on campus.

With warm regards,

Ora

Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.
President