For Housing and Residential Life safety has been the number one priority. Installing
plexiglass barriers, increasing the frequency of cleaning routines, and limiting occupancy in community hall gathering spaces are just a few of the strategies that were implemented to keep residents safe in the halls.

 

OSU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been strategic. A COVID-19 Response
Team spent the spring and summer strategizing ways to keep residents safe. Improvements to the halls include more sanitizing stations, reduced seating capacity,
entrance and exit only doorways, and an increase in signage to encourage residents to
maintain social distance.

 

Shannon Baughman, Associate Director of Operations, says Housing and Residential
Life will continue utilizing all methods in Spring 2021. “We think our students have done a great job of following mask mandates and social distancing,” Baughman said. “We’ve been pleased with the response we’ve had to this point.”

 

Residents who contract COVID-19 have a choice to quarantine within OSU’s halls or at
home. Students living in a single room with a private bathroom can stay in their room,
and students with roommates or community bathrooms may be moved to Allen Hall or
Family and Graduate Student Housing, Baughman said. “We try to move them within an hour of the phone call from Housing,” Baughman said.

 

OSU has provided many services to make the transition as easy as possible for residents. Transportation is provided for residents without cars, and University Dining Services delivers three meals once per day to the resident. OSU has also partnered with Duffy’s Dry Cleaners and Laundry to offer laundry service. Residents and parents can call the Housing COVID Hotline with any questions 24/7. Hotline volunteers happy to help. The number for the Housing COVID Hotline is (405)334-7021.

 

“The hotline really provides an extra level of service for our residents and families,”
Baughman said. The elements OSU has utilized in 2020 has created a safe place for students and will continue in Spring 2021. For more information, see: Housing FAQs