July 30, 2021 – Updates to EOU Face Covering Policy, Pandemic Response Officer

A message from EOU INFOLINE

Dear EOU Community, 

Within the last several days, new guidance regarding the use of face coverings has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). EOU’s Face Covering Policy was already consistent with these new OHA and CDC recommendations, and some additional updates have also been made. We recommend employees review the changes via this redlined version. 

• Face coverings continue to be required for indoor classes and activities at EOU.
• Employees in an enclosed indoor environment may remove masks if all participants show proof of vaccination status (vaccination cards or images of those cards) and all are in agreement to not wear face masks. This exception is not applicable to instructional activities at this time.  
• Face coverings are not required outdoors on the EOU campus, regardless of your vaccination status. 
• Employees, students, and visitors may continue wearing face coverings outdoors – or at any time – based on personal preference. 

Employees and students who are onsite at regional centers, should continue to abide by the policies set at their host sites or community colleges. 

Luke Aldrich will continue to serve as EOU’s Pandemic Response Officer (PRO), working closely with individuals throughout the university to gain timely information and respond promptly to problems that arise. Complaints or concerns about non-compliance should be promptly directed to a person of authority in the area. Ongoing issues and questions regarding the university’s application of, or compliance with, guidelines should be reported to the Pandemic Response Officer. Safety concerns and questions may be submitted online here.

It is important to remember that we are still in a pandemic, which brings frequently changing dynamics and evolving guidance. We continue to base our efforts and decisions on the health and safety of the EOU community and ensuring our students can make academic progress. 

The efforts of everyone in the EOU community to keep our students and programs moving forward during the past 16 months is a true reflection of us placing our values and principles into action. Our goal is for all EOU students to be successful, regardless of their modality. Moving toward fall term, we remain committed to providing campus-based students the opportunity to attend classes in-person and engage in curricular and co-curricular events and activities. 

We will continue to keep the EOU community apprised of our plans and policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, it’s possible!

Sincerely, 

Executive Leadership Team