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 recent guidance on masking, Oklahoma state law, and the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma, OU has adopted the following masking protocols for all three campuses.
General Facilities - The university expects community members to mask indoors. The university strongly encourages masking for all individuals in high-density settings, such as classrooms and at special events.
Health Care Facilities - OU continues to require masking for all individuals in patient-facing settings, including clinical research participant areas and facilities and areas where patient care is the primary function.
Transportation - Riders on transit buses and shuttles must wear masks, in compliance with Department of Transportation mandates.
OU Health Sciences Center programs will coordinate masking requirements with hospital and clinic partners, as appropriate.
As it has from the beginning of the pandemic, OU is monitoring guidance issued by the CDC. Current CDC guidance advises all individuals, even those who are fully vaccinated, to wear a mask indoors in public if in an area of substantial (orange) or high (red) transmission, according to its COVID-19 Integrated County View of Data. Plans will continue to be adjusted, based on the status of the pandemic, and in accordance with CDC recommendations and state and local guidelines.
The university has determined that should there be a confirmed COVID-19 positive case in class, the class will continue meeting in-person, but masking will be mandated for 2 weeks during the quarantine period.
To confirm that a student has tested positive for COVID-19, the student is to complete the Passport through the Healthy Together app. This will start the notification process for the student and protect the student's health information. The student will be notified through the app of their screening results and provided additional instructions for next steps as part of their recovery. Students will receive communication and instructions through the Healthy Together app that can also be shared with their instructors. Communication can be forwarded by the student to inform faculty of the need for accommodations and request for extended absence. Faculty can accept the forwarded information from the student to accommodate any possible absence; however, if additional support or communication is required, then students will be asked to contact Student Affairs (studentaffairs@ou.edu).
The university strongly encourages the entire OU community to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are available to all students, faculty, and staff on all three OU campuses at no cost to the individuals.
Read More: Getting Vaccinated at OU
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: hr.ou.edu/News/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information
For questions about vaccination requirements, contact Human Resources at vaccine@ou.edu.
OU has eliminated its social distancing protocols in all areas except patient care and clinical research participant settings, making way for a resumption of in-person classes at regular capacity.
Third parties may resume hosting events in university facilities following pre-COVID protocols. In accordance with CDC guidance, the university recommends COVID-19 vaccination for anyone participating in events on OU property. The university strongly encourages masking for all individuals in high-density settings, such as classrooms and at special events when not eating or drinking.
