With the wide availability of COVID-19 vaccines and the demonstrated effectiveness of other mitigation protocols on and off campus, in conjunction with the recommendations of infectious diseases and public health officials, remote work in relation to COVID-19 in Norman-based programs and areas was phased out Aug. 2, 2021.
Managers should work with Human Resources to help manage staffing needs and may contact Human Resources at ohr@ou.edu for additional guidance.
OU Faculty, Staff, and Student Screening – Employees and students in Norman campus programs are strongly encouraged to complete the Passport through the Healthy Together app before participating in any on- or off-campus activity or responsibility each time the answer to the questions below would be YES. The Healthy Together app is available for Android and iOS devices. The employee or student will be notified through the app of their screening results and should follow the instructions for what to do next. More information about the Healthy Together app is available here.
Employees and students at the OU Health Sciences Center or OU-Tulsa will continue using the online COVID-19 Screening and Reporting Tool for their campus.
1. Individuals on the Norman campus are expected to complete the Healthy Together Passport whenever the answer to any of the following questions is YES.
2. Individuals on the Norman campus who cannot or choose to not use the Healthy Together app should follow these guidelines whenever the answer to any of the following questions is YES.
If you:
If you:
Temperature Checks - Departments are discouraged from conducting temperature checks. If a department will require temperature checks, the manager must obtain prior approval from the Office of Human Resources.
Consistent with current CDC recommendations, the university strongly encourages the entire OU community to get vaccinated and receive a booster. COVID-19 vaccines are available to all students, faculty, and staff on all three OU campuses at no cost to the individual.
Vaccination Requirements at OU
A federal court has temporarily blocked the enforcement of the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement for federal subcontractors. This means that as long as the court’s decision is in place, university employees are not required to become vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022, and are also not required to seek exemptions to the rule, except as described below.
Vaccination requirements are limited to the following groups of OU community members:
Employees are still encouraged to complete the online vaccine verification form as they become vaccinated.
For questions about vaccination requirements, contact Human Resources at vaccine@ou.edu.
While the university has eliminated its social distancing protocols in all areas except patient care and clinical research participant settings, it is still strongly recommended.
Meetings
Events
Classes
Since the beginning of the pandemic, in instituting its COVID-19 protocols, the University of Oklahoma has monitored guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control. Taking into consideration the CDC’s current guidance on masking, Oklahoma state law, and the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma, OU has adopted the following masking protocols for the Norman Campus.
Through January 31: Masking Guidance – OU Norman Campus
As has been our policy since the start of Fall 2021, masking will continue to be expected in all indoor settings for all faculty, staff, and students.
For the first two weeks of the semester (through January 31) masking will be required in classroom settings.
Beginning February 1: Masking Guidance – OU Norman Campus
General Facilities – OU community members are expected to mask indoors on the Norman campus, especially in high-density settings, such as classrooms and at special events when not eating or drinking.
Classrooms – Should there be a confirmed COVID-19 positive case in class, the class will continue meeting in-person, but masking will be required for 2 weeks during the quarantine period.
Health Care Facilities – All individuals in patient-facing settings, including clinical research participant areas and facilities where patient care is a primary function must wear a mask.
OU Health Sciences Center programs will coordinate masking requirements with hospital and clinic partners, as appropriate.
Transportation – Passengers on transit buses and shuttles must wear a mask due to Department of Transportation mandates.
Masks must cover the individual’s nose and mouth. Bandanas, scarves, gaiters, buffs, and the like are not acceptable. Non-medical grade masks that have exhalation valves with or without filters (such as this) may not be worn on campus unless a surgical-style mask is worn over it.
Students in need of a health accommodation should contact the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center by emailing adrc@ou.edu. Faculty, staff, and student employees seeking an accommodation should contact Human Resources at HRAccommodations@ou.edu.
Recommended Masks – OU Norman Campus
While cloth masks are still permissible on the Norman campus, the university strongly recommends the use of KN95 masks or disposable surgical masks as they provide far greater amounts of protection.
Layering a surgical mask underneath or on top of a cloth mask can also provide added protection.
Surgical masks have been provided to building supervisors to be made available at all entrances and inside classrooms.
Clean facilities and equipment require a commitment from all levels of the university community. Everyone has an important role and responsibility in maintaining a healthy campus environment.
Where to Get Tested for COVID-19 at OU
Positive Tests – Employees and students who test positive should complete the Passport through the Healthy Together app.
Please refer to Section II for information regarding monitoring for symptoms and mandatory reporting.
All employees, visitors, and students will comply with the travel guidance maintained here.