This weekly update is intended to keep you informed of the latest developments from our Return to Campus Team. Please visit www.otterbein.edu/rtc for additional general and student-related information.

Check your inbox:

• Housing assignments will be sent soon.

Return to Campus Planning

Otterbein University’s Return to Campus Plans have been developed in consultation with Franklin County Public Health and OhioHealth (Otterbein’s campus healthcare provider) and adhere to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ohio Department of Health. Learn more about our plans and get up-to-date information at www.otterbein.edu/rtc.

COVID-19 Myth vs. Fact

Myth: If I test positive but I don’t have symptoms, I can’t spread COVID-19 to others.
Fact: Think twice before you go to that party! Large social gatherings have been in the news a lot lately for causing large clusters of people becoming ill from COVID-19. The Vanderbilt University Medical Center reminds us that asymptomatic people often don’t know they are carriers and are more likely than symptomatic ones to be out in public in situations where they might transmit the virus to others.

Fall Sports
On Friday, July 24, the Ohio Athletic Conference announced it has postponed the fall sports season. You can read the OAC announcement, Otterbein’s open letter to student-athletes, and up-to-date Athletics FAQs.

Virtual Town Halls Available Online
Thank you for all who attended and submitted questions for the Virtual Town Halls. The Returning Students and Parents Town Hall held on July 21 and the New Students and Parents Town Hall held on July 22 are now available at www.otterbein.edu/rtc.

FAQs Online
You have questions, we have answers! There’s a wealth of knowledge about our plans for fall semester on our Return to Campus website, including FAQs that are updated frequently. Check them out at www.otterbein.edu/rtc.

Support for Commuters
We expect that some students will choose to commute this fall who may have lived on campus previously. We can help you adjust! We know that commuters will have question and concerns that are unique to them. We have answers and solutions! The Center for Student Involvement is here to support commuters. Please reach out to csi@otterbein.edu with any questions, comments and needs you may have.

Cardinal Community Responsibilities
We are relying on our Cardinal Community to help us stay healthy and stay strong so we can stay together. To do so, we have created six main responsibilities for all members of the campus community this fall. You can watch a fun video here or read about the responsibilities below.

• Perform a daily self-assessment. Don’t come to campus if you have two or more of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.
• Wear facial coverings. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are required in common spaces and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
• Practice social distancing. Stay 6 feet from other people whenever possible.
• Keep it clean. Clean your workspace or common spaces with the provided sanitizing supplies.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
• Share concerns via anonymous reporting page. If you have concerns or suggestions, you can report them anonymously through the reporting page on Ozone – Return to Campus tab.

Reminder: Facial Coverings Mandatory on Campus
As Cardinals return to campus, please remember that students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to wear a facial covering in classrooms and other common spaces, and outdoors when social distancing is not possible, unless is it unsafe to do so. Students, faculty, and staff will be provided with two washable cloth facial coverings. Disposable facial coverings will be made available as needed. For information about exemptions, go to www.otterbein.edu/rtc.