SOU Resumption of Activities and Employee Resources

Dear Raiders,

As you know, Southern Oregon University has been a role model in the way we have fought to keep each other safe and healthy despite the challenges of the pandemic.

After careful consideration and attention to health leaders, I am announcing the following changes to our COVID-19 policies, as we transition from pandemic to endemic footing on March 18 – the end of winter term. We recognize that COVID may not disappear anytime soon, but we feel we can safely return to largely normal operations by exercising caution and following the advice and recommendations of scientific and public health experts.

I want to thank our COVID-19 Advisory Committee – led by Dr. Neil Woolf, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs – for carefully considering our policies and protocols, and using input from local, statewide and federal health authorities to chart a clear path forward for SOU. The guiding principle of that group, and of our university, is that the health and safety of students, employees and community members will always be our highest priority.

Masks will not be required either indoors or outdoors at SOU starting on March 19, but those who prefer to wear masks for their own safety are welcomed and encouraged to do so. SOU will continue to have N95 masks available in most campus buildings.

The isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19 will be reduced to five days, from the 10 days now required, bringing us in line with current recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mandatory weekly testing for those who have been granted exemptions under SOU’s vaccination policy will be discontinued as of March 12, and the designation of “cleared for on-campus activities” will be removed for both students and employees.

Our vaccination policy will remain in effect, with all students and employees required to attest that they have received all CDC-recommended COVID vaccines – including boosters – or that they have been granted exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons. New students will be required to attest that they are fully vaccinated or apply for exemptions, and any students may be randomly selected to show proof of current vaccination as a means of ensuring compliance with the policy.

Guests and visitors to campus will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination for attendance at indoor or outdoor events.

Please note that all of these changes may be subject to further revision depending on evolving conditions. We will continue to monitor the environment as we have done since the beginning.

SOU has weathered two years of the pandemic as well as anyone could have hoped, largely because all of you have taken responsibility for your own safety and that of those around you. Our team effort must continue as we move ahead with a mix of optimism, excitement and caution. Please respect the choices and comfort levels of those around you, and help us succeed in our recalibrated approach to COVID – and a brighter future.

With appreciation to all Raiders,

Rick Bailey

President, Southern Oregon University

March 7, 2022

SOU Vaccination Policy

Please take the required steps to comply with the SOU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Beginning with the fall 2021 term and thereafter, SOU requires employees, students, volunteers, and affiliates who participate in on-campus activities to complete this COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration Form to certify one of the following with respect to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccines:

Attest to being a Fully Vaccinated Individual* as defined by university policy or are in the process of receiving the full vaccine and/or waiting period; or
File an exemption to the vaccine based on a medical or non-medical reason.

*A Fully Vaccinated Individual is defined as a student, employee, volunteer, or affiliate who has completed the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine and has kept their vaccine status up to date by receiving the respective booster doses at regular time points established by the CDC. Students, employees, volunteers, and affiliates shall be required to receive their booster doses within 30 days of becoming eligible for such boosters to maintain their status as Fully Vaccinated Individuals.

For a U.S. Food and Drug Administration guide on who is qualified for a COVID-19 vaccine booster and which one, please click here.

Proof of Vaccine or Vaccine Exemption Request

Proof of vaccine or completion of the Oregon Health Authority medical/religious exemption request form is required. The Oregon Health Authority has a COVID-19 Vaccine Record system where an electronic copy or other print/save versions of vaccine proof can be accessed. Please upload proof of the COVID-19 Vaccination Card or the completed form to the SOU Human Resources Secure Inbox (https://sou.app.box.com/upload-widget/view/svk0g0an9vxf3nucq6ithr9sxts3wt1w/111910076389), or hand-deliver the document to Human Resources at Churchill Hall, Room 159 (1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520).

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Return to Campus Training and Resources

SOU Face Coverings

In accordance with university policy, and to promote the safety and wellbeing of the campus community, Southern Oregon University requires all staff, faculty, students, and visitors to comply. Those in need of a face covering (without charge) may go to Human Resources in Churchill Hall, Room 159.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Here is a list of where to get vaccinated in Jackson County.

The Get Vaccinated Oregon Tool informs where one can get vaccinated and allows for text and/or email notifications.

The Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic provides information and vaccinations. Call 541-789-2813 and press option #2, or visit asante.org/mychart/ to schedule an appointment.

All other information regarding where to get a vaccine can be found on the Jackson County website https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19/COVID-19-News/covid-19-vaccine, or by calling 211.

You can obtain an electronic copy of your COVID vaccination records by visiting myelectronicvaccinecard.oregon.gov

Health Insurance Information About Over-the-Counter COVID-19 At-Home Test Kits

MODA

This info can be found here on the Moda website, at the very bottom.

How to get free at-home COVID-19 tests
As a Moda Health member, you can now get free over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 at-home tests. Here's how:

Order through the federal government: Visit COVIDtests.gov to order a set of 4 free COVID-19 tests. Every household in the U.S. can get the tests.
Order through the Costco Pharmacy website: Visit costco.com/home-delivery and follow these steps. Members do not need to be Costco members to use their mail order service.
Pick up at your in-network pharmacy: When picking up a test at your pharmacy, show your Moda member ID card to get a free test.
We will reimburse you: If your pharmacy can't process the order, you can buy the test at the pharmacy or at another in-person or online retailer, then use our claim form to get reimbursed. We will reimburse up to 8 tests per member ($12 per test) over a 30-day period. This includes tests purchased on or after Jan. 15, 2022.

For more details and to find the correct reimbursement form, please go to our COVID-19 FAQ page.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and need medical advice, we encourage you to call your doctor or take one of the following actions at no cost share to you:

Text a doctor — Cirrus MD for telehealth services
Call the Nurse Advice Line at 800-501-5046

PROVIDENCE

This information can be found here on the Providence website for COVID testing.

Where can I buy an OTC COVID-19 test?

OTC COVID-19 tests can be found at retail pharmacy locations or you may order online directly. If you visit an in-network pharmacy, the pharmacist can order and can bill your insurance directly at no cost to you. A list of current in-network pharmacies can be found here.
Direct-to-Home Order through the Costco Pharmacy website. Please note that all Providence members may order and utilize the Costco Pharmacy website. OTC tests contain 5 tests per package; each member is allowed up to 10 tests (2 x 5 test packages) per 30-day period because of this special arrangement with Costco for direct-to-home delivery via the Costco Mail Order Pharmacy
- Visit costco.com/home-delivery
- Select "Mail Order".
- Sign in or register for a new account (you do not need to be a Costco member).
- To ensure accurate billing and no cost to you, follow these steps for ordering an OTC COVID-19 test.
If you purchase an OTC COVID-19 test directly without insurance, save your receipt and submit your reimbursement by filling out the COVID-19 at-Home test reimbursement form and sending it to Providence at the address on the back of your ID card. Effective March 15, 2022, we will reimburse via direct member reimbursement up to 8 tests per member (up to $12 per test) over a 30-day period.
Retailers may have per-person limits due to high demand for tests and limited availability. Coverage for OTC Covid-19 tests is currently only planned through the end of the pandemic due to regulations from Health & Human Services. We will update this information as new information becomes available.

Have questions?

We're here to help you understand your comprehensive coverage and access to genuine care. Call our customer service team at 800-878-4445 (TTY:711) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).

COVID-19 Accommodation Request

Southern Oregon University is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodations to employees with disabilities. This form is specifically for employees who have a physical or mental health condition or are caring for an individual with such condition(s).

Any employee seeking reasonable accommodation is instructed to complete this digital SOU COVID-19 Employee Accommodation Request Form and provide the Physician Verification of Accommodation Form to their healthcare provider for immediate completion. The completed form should be forwarded to Human Resources by fax (541-552-8508), email (hrs@sou.edu), or mailed to: Southern Oregon University | Human Resource Services | Churchill Hall, Room 159 | 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard | Ashland OR, 97520.

Any medical information obtained by Human Resources will be maintained confidentially. Upon receipt, Human Resources will initiate the interactive process together with the supervisor and employee. This includes reviewing the requested accommodation, the employee's position, and operational requirements. Depending on the situation, the university may consider and propose suitable alternative accommodations.

Questions about this form or the process should be directed to 541-552-8119 or barlowm@sou.edu.

COVID-19 Temporary Telecommuting Agreement

The safety and well-being of our employees, students and community members remain the top priority as we evaluate the impacts of the pandemic. The university will continue to assess the ability for remote work when academic and business continuity can be maintained in a hybrid/modified learning experience. Employees must work together with their supervisor/chair/director to review and determine how to be effective and safe in fulfilling their responsibilities. Where remote work can be performed successfully and is approved by the supervisor/chair/director, the COVID-19 Temporary Telecommuting Agreement is required. Additional resources around SOU's telecommuting process can be found here.

COVID-19 Employee Leave Options

SOU recognizes the impact that COVID-19 may have on an employee's ability to work for various reasons including:

Employee is subject to a government quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19
Employee has been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19
Employee is experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a diagnosis
Employee is caring for an individual subject to or advised to quarantine or isolate
Employee is caring for a child whose school or childcare is closed due to COVID-19
Employee is experiencing substantially similar conditions as those specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury.

Employees who fall ill or need to care for a sick child, spouse, or parent may qualify for protected leave under the following laws and additional information about these federal and state leaves can be found here:

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA)

SOU Shared Hardship Leave Program (COVID-19)

SOU partnered together with APSOU and SEIU to create the SOU Shared Hardship Leave Program to recognize that as the COVID-19 health crisis continues, employees may experience hardships that could affect their ability to remain in paid status. Additional information about this program can be found here.