December 21, 2020
Ohio State is making plans for a safe and healthy spring semester, and we want you to be prepared to do your part. We successfully completed autumn semester by coming Together As Buckeyes and following all the safe and healthy requirements, including face masks, physical distancing and other personal hygiene and behavior. Those will continue in 2021.
In addition, please be aware of the following changes and requirements for on-campus student testing on the regional campuses for spring semester:
General information about returning to campus
- The first two weeks of spring semester classes (January 11-15 and 18-22) will be conducted via virtual delivery. Please note that there are no classes on January 18 in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Depending on how COVID-19 cases are trending, and with the guidance of Governor Mike DeWine as well as state and local health experts, the university will evaluate and make any necessary changes to our return plans.
- All students, regardless of where you live, are requested to self-sequester for 10 days before you return to your on-campus residence and/or to in-person engagements on campus.
- Sequestering means staying in your residence as much as possible. The goal is to limit exposure to any other person, including your family members or roommates. If you must be near others, you should wear a mask even indoors.
- To further limit exposure, make your own food or have it delivered.
- If you must go out, wear a mask at all times.
Testing requirements for residential students
You must complete a two-part testing program as part of moving back into your residence
hall:
1. Before traveling to campus, you must complete an at-home Vault Health COVID-19 saliva test. The university will provide the tests and cover all shipping expenses.
2. You must complete a second COVID-19 test at the testing location for your regional campus during the week of January 25.
Part 1: Process for Pre-Travel Testing
1. Order Your Vault Kit
a. Use the unique link below to order your Vault test kit. This link is assigned to
you personally and cannot be shared with others.
i. Your unique link to order your test kit:
https://c19.vlt.co/c9b86e4a5639b759d07e9e176458d8ab
b. Please use the Vault account you used in autumn semester to order your kit.
If you do not have a Vault account, set one up using your university email
account.
c. We recommend you order your kit as soon as possible to ensure ample time
for delivery. We are unable to replace lost kits, so once you receive it, please
keep the kit in a safe, secure place.
2. Collect and Mail Your Sample
a. 7 days before you leave to return to campus, you should collect and mail your
sample. Please follow the instructions on the attached sheet closely to ensure
your sample can be successfully processed.
b. Do not collect your sample before you log into the Virtual Waiting Room
with Vault Health.
3. Receiving Results
a. Results will be emailed to your university email account from Vault Health and
are also available via the Vault Health website/app.
b. If you receive a positive test result, you will receive a public health order to
isolate and will not be authorized to travel to campus.
Part 2: Process for Move-In
You are required to complete a COVID-19 test at the testing facility on your campus on the day identified below for your campus. Testing facilities and hours for the week of January 25:
CFAES Wooster: Fisher Auditorium
Monday, January 25 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
1. Schedule Your Move-In Day and Time: To facilitate physical distancing, you will need to schedule a Move-In day and time using the Housing Portal.
2. Schedule Your COVID-19 Test: Beginning January 7, you will be able to schedule your on-campus testing appointment via MyChart.
You will be asked to limit your contact with others while waiting for test results. You should receive your results within 24-48 hours. More information about the Move-In process will be shared via email in the coming weeks.
Weekly, required testing of all students who live in university housing will resume the week of February 1, so please consider scheduling your MyChart appointments for the entire semester. Students who are compliant with weekly testing will be entered in drawings for prizes like gift cards and more.
Thank you for your support in advancing a safe and healthy Ohio State in the spring.