The spring semester begins Tuesday, Jan. 19, and we look forward to welcoming you back to campus. To ensure your health and wellness, and that of our faculty and staff, our spring semester will look a lot like the fall.
Here’s how you can help keep the OTC community healthy:
Wear a mask
Everyone – students, faculty, staff and visitors – is required to wear a mask or facial covering at all OTC locations this spring. Your mask should cover both your mouth and nose. Masks should be worn in classrooms, hallways and most indoor spaces where social distancing isn’t possible. Masks may be removed outside, unless you’re in an outdoor classroom where you cannot practice social distancing.
There are no exceptions to our masking policy. If you forget to bring your mask to campus, we will provide you with one. If you cannot or will not wear a mask, you will be asked to leave OTC grounds.
If something as simple as wearing a facial covering can help us continue in-person classes this spring, then it’s worth doing. But we’ve all got to wear masks correctly and consistently to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Wash your hands
While on campus, be sure to wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Use warm water and soap when possible, and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Our classrooms and labs are equipped with sanitizer and wipes to help you keep your study spaces clean as well.
Our facilities and maintenance staff have also upped their campus cleaning regimen with top-of-the-line products that sanitize surfaces long after the initial application.
Practice social distancing
Combined with masking, social distancing is an effective tool in helping us continue close-to-normal operations this spring. Seating in classrooms and labs will be spread out as much as possible, and study lounges and areas will also be arranged to comply with social distancing protocols. Please leave campus seating where it is, and practice social distancing whenever possible. Â
Don’t touch your face
As hard as it may be, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Touching your face allows germs that cause respiratory infections to enter the body. So, when you’re tempted to rub your eyes or scratch your nose – don’t do it.
When sick, stay home
Please do not come to campus if you are feeling unwell. This is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a safe campus experience this spring. If you have been directly exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, like a fever, coughing or shortness of breath, notify your instructor(s) as soon as possible, and report your COVID-19 concern. You will receive an email from an OTCCares representative within one business day to help guide you through the process of safely returning to campus, and your instructors will work with you to make sure you can complete your class work remotely. All students with a COVID-19 health concern are asked to remain off campus until receiving a release email from your OTCCares representative.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19: OTC has partnered with CoxHealth to provide free virtual visits to students and employees who are feeling unwell. A CoxHealth virtual visit allows you to undergo a free consultation with a CoxHealth healthcare professional to determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19 free of charge. You can find more information about CoxHealth virtual visits and COVID-19 testing here. Please share your consultation and/or test results with your representative from the OTCCares team. Remember, you may not return to campus until your OTCCares representative releases you.
If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, but are not experiencing symptoms: Asymptomatic testing is available to any OTC student or employee who has been exposed to COVID-19 but is not exhibiting any symptoms. You can find more information about asymptomatic testing here. If you complete asymptomatic on-campus testing, the OTCCares team will have immediate access to your test results once they are available.
Find more information
Still have questions? Visit our return-to-campus plan at otc.edu/covid. There, you’ll find important student FAQs and health information to help you prepare for the upcoming semester. You can also email specific COVID-19-related questions to covidcare@otc.edu.
See you soon, Eagles! We’re ready — and waiting — to welcome you back to campus safely.