EHE Safe Return to Campus

College of Education and Human Ecology

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Additional Information

  • Safe and Healthy Buckeyes FAQs
  • Additional Resources
  • Anxiety, unsure and/or Mental Health Resources
    • https://wellness.osu.edu/chief-wellness-officer/covid-19-resources
    • Embrace the return to structure
      • Lack of a routine can be a driving force for heighten anxiety and depression. If you can, try to get into your work routine at home before physically returning. Wake up at the normal time, get bathed and dressed as you would normally, and try to return to your normal timeline during the day.
    • Make sure you are getting enough sleep
      • Getting enough sleep can make an incredible difference on our mood and amount of anxiety during the day. Try to get back to your routine and go to bed without interruptions
    • Resources offered to you to help cope with the changes and emotions
    • Give yourself time to rebound
      • It’s okay and normal to feel anxious during this transition period. It is also important that you stay focused on what you can control and avoid making big or important decisions during this time of adjustment.
  • Mental Health Tips During COVID-19
    • The Counseling and Consultation Office has updated a blog post to include Emotional Fitness: Mental Health tips during COVID-19
  • Environment Concerns and Resources
    • Public water devices, including drinking fountains, were flushed on a regular schedule to avoid water becoming stagnant in unoccupied, FOD-managed buildings. Water systems are being thoroughly flushed prior to reopening each building. It is important to note that sinks or other water-using devices in non-public areas, such as ice machines, may require additional flushing and cleaning (such as discarding old ice). Departments are responsible to ensure these devices are flushed and cleaned.
    • Building HVAC systems are a secondary means of protecting occupants. According to the CDC, COVID-19 is spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. Ohio State’s HVAC systems are all designed to meet building code requirements. In addition, FOD follows the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) position document on infectious aerosols. FOD is focused on ventilation and filtration. We use MERV 13 filters wherever possible. These filters are recommended for COVID-19 and are effective against particulates generated from coughing and sneezing. FOD meets all code-required outside air ventilation and runs building and supply exhaust air systems 24 hours a day which dilutes contaminants.
  • Bus System
    • CABS is limiting occupancy to support safety and physical distancing guidelines related to COVID-19 and has reallocated more buses to move people in smaller quantities. The university is offering two routes during daytime hours. The Med Center Express and a new Buckeye Loop prioritize transporting individuals parking in the Buckeye Lot or West Campus Carmack Lots. Academic core service is not be provided during the daytime but resumes after 7 p.m. via the East Residential and West Campus routes.
      Please visit Transportation for additional information and updates.
    • CABS is helping protect the safety of passengers through operational changes, including:
      • Cleaning and disinfecting all buses and high-touch surfaces at least twice per day, including handrails and poles
      • Taping off CABS seats to promote physical distancing and limited occupancy
      • Checking driver health before they start their shift
      • Ensuring all CABS drivers wear face masks
      • Requiring all riders to wear face masks
      • Requiring all riders to board and exit from the rear door
  • Campus Parking
    • Please visit Campus Parc for information and updates.
  • Other Modes of travel and parking
    • Visit Transportation and Traffic Management for more on CABS, paratransit, charter bus services, Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State program, shared scooters and bikes, bike racks, parking, shared university vehicles and the university fueling station.
  • What will the dining experience look like in the fall? Dining Services follows federal, state and local guidance regarding health and safety while continuing to provide food diversity and balanced nutrition across the university. As higher vaccination levels are achieved, we hope to bring back more seating and gathering options as well as self-service options.
    • Mobile ordering and pick-up are encouraged. There is limited availability other ordering methods, including ordering kiosks. Traditional all-you-care-to-eat dining locations operate as pre-order, pick-up locations
    • Limited seats are available on a first-come first-served basis. Tables and chairs are cleaned and sanitized after each use
    • Guests are asked to enter the dining locations for order pick-up after they receive notifications indicating that the order is ready, rather than waiting within the facility. Staff will manage guest flow during peak hours
    • Self-serve salad bars and condiment/flatware stands are not available. Condiments, flatware and other items are provided as a part of the mobile ordering process. Guests must follow staff instructions regarding beverage service
    • Reusable containers are not being utilized or permitted
    • Chilled meal packages are being offered for reheating in residence hall rooms. Meal packages can be pre-ordered for pick-up at select Dining Services locations
  • Benefits
    • Benefits and deadline changes because of COVID-19
    • Vacation Balance extension A vacation exception to allow use of accrued vacation over the established maximum carryover amounts as stated in Paid Leave Policy 6.27 has been extended to include every employee whose service anniversary date is between March 22, 2020 and June 30, 2021. This extension provides employees flexibility to use accrued vacation over the maximum until their anniversary date occurring July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

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