COVID-19 Campus Information
Last Updated March 10, 2023
Effective on Monday, May 1, 2023, the university will rescind its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all students, faculty and staff.
The Executive Policy Group (EPG) has decided to implement this change following a careful review of pandemic conditions across the region by the Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC). This work has revealed strong COVID-19 vaccination rates, as well as a declining number of infections, severe illnesses and deaths as a result of the pandemic.
University leaders are pleased to update the COVID-19 vaccine mandate policy after a three-year struggle with this global public health threat. Still, students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to:
- Continue to take advantage of vaccinations and boosters as recommended to help protect one’s own and others’ health;
- Continue to submit vaccination records to the Graham Health Center’s Secure Patient Portal in order to help the university maintain insight on the collective protection level of the campus community;
- Continuing to practice infection prevention measures recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including:
- frequent hand washing;
- wearing masks when appropriate;
- monitoring for symptoms of infection;
- utilizing clinical or home tests when symptoms occur;
- staying home when sick; and
- avoiding contact with others suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19.
Some of the university’s academic partner institutions that provide professional degree program components such as laboratory, clinical and healthcare experiences may continue to require participants to submit verification of COVID-19 vaccination.
All campus community members should note that OU’s infection prevention guidelines may be revised at any time in accordance with local and state health department guidance.
The university's mask usage requirement has be eliminated for all campus areas except for patient care sites including Graham Health Center (GHC) and the COVID-19 testing site in Oakland Center.
The university remains committed to protecting the health of all campus community members. Staff members concerned about virus transmission in their workspaces should discuss concerns with their supervisors and faculty members should contact their dean's office to discuss alternative work arrangements. As always, the university fully supports all who choose to continue wearing masks on campus.
Oakland's COVID-19 vaccination mandate will remain in place until further notice. Those with approved medical and religious exemptions will no longer be required to submit to weekly testing. Students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated according to CDC guidelines, and are strongly encouraged to get booster shots as recommended. Information on booster shot appointments and walk-in clinics are available at Graham Health Center.
To continue effectively preventing disease transmission, individuals experiencing any signs or symptoms of illness are advised to not come to campus and get to tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible.
All positive cases of COVID-19 must be reported via the Graham Health Center Secure Patient Portal or by emailing to health@oakland.edu. Campus community members exposed to or diagnosed with the virus may be subject to the university's isolation and quarantine guidelines.
Oakland's infection prevention guidelines may be revised at any time in response to evolving COVID-19 pandemic conditions.
- Exceptions to face covering requirement in healthcare settings. The requirement to wear a face covering in the Graham Health Center and COVID-19 testing sites does not apply to individuals who:
- Are younger than 2 years old
- A “face covering” is a tightly woven cloth or other multi-layer absorbent material that covers an individual’s mouth and nose securely so that it fits snugly across the face or a gaiter worn in accordance with applicable guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A face shield that does not provide containment of respiratory droplets from escaping is not a “face covering” under this policy.
- Proposed Amendments to this Policy must be submitted to the Emergency Operations Center (“EOC”) through the chairperson of the EOC for discussion and, if approved by the EOC, will be forwarded to the Vice President Coronavirus Decision Team for final approval. The Chief of Staff may approve temporary exceptions to the Policy on an emergency basis.
Additional Notes
- Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all campus community members and guests regardless of vaccination status or a previous COVID-19 illness and presence of virus antibodies in one's system.
- Face shields alone ARE NOT acceptable face coverings and use of them alone fails to meet requirements of this policy.
- A limited supply of free masks remains available to students, faculty and staff and is available in Oakland Center Suite 151. Oakland University branded masks also remain available for purchase at the Barnes & Noble @ Oakland University Official Bookstore on the lower level of the Oakland Center.
- All campus community members and visitors who are sick are asked not to come to campus. Resident students who become sick should visit the student Housing for additional information.
- Regardless of vaccination status, campus community members diagnosed with a diagnostic COVID-19 test and report all positive results to GHC. Diagnostic tests include rapid home tests to PDC test conducted by a testing location.
- COVID-19 testing at GHC will be the responsibility of the individual. Some testing may be eligible to bill to insurance, or will be owed by the individual.
- Regardless of vaccination status, campus community members diagnosed with a COVID-19 illness are required to report their positive COVID-19 test result to GHC by uploading their test result to the patient portal. Alternatively, an email can be sent to GHC reporting your illness. Graham Health Center will provide isolation guidelines based on current MDHHS guidelines
- Following a COVID illness or exclusion from work or class, campus community members are expected to follow guidance provided by GHC after reporting your illness. Additionally, instructions can be found on the GHC website.
- If exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, please visit the GHC website for guidance, or review the MDHHS guidelines. GHC is available for additional guidance via email or phone if you are unsure if you should return to campus prior to day 11.