Residence Life
Frequently asked questions
The COVID-19 Task Force released a Campus Protection Guide that introduced three protection phases for campus operations. Oglethorpe is currently operating under the red phase, with campus being closed with limited exceptions and delivering fully remote instruction.
Residence Life has prepared answers to your most frequently asked questions. This information is subject to change based on guidance from the CDC and state/local health agencies. If your question is not answered here, please contact residencelife@oglethorpe.edu and our staff will gladly help.
Questions and answers about life on campus this fall
On-campus residents should receive an email informing them of their updated housing assignment for Fall 2020. We are excited to welcome you back to campus this fall. As we have communicated, each student will now be in a 1 person per bathroom, and 1 person per room housing configuration in accordance with our COVID-19 protocols. Please refer to your email or the information below for important housing and move-in updates.
NOTE: This information will be updated soon to reflect spring semester plans.
The Petrel Pledge is a shared responsibility and commitment to the health and well-being of the Oglethorpe community. Learn more about the Petrel Pledge.
The COVID-19 Handbook outlines the new protocols, policies, and procedures for a COVID-conscious campus environment. Members of the OU Community are expected to adhere to the handbook as part of their “Petrel Pledge.”
The move-in date for new students is September 4, 2020. Since the orientation program is all virtual, first-year students who wish to stay at home for Orientation Weekend can request to move-in on September 7. Please email residencelife@oglethorpe.edu if you would like to change your move-in date.
Please sign-up for your exact move-in time by 8/28/20 via the link in your email from Residence Life. If you do not complete the link by that date, a time will be assigned and emailed to you.
Move-in reminders, including final day logistics (with a traffic map), will be sent by September 1.
All students will be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive on-campus. Testing will take place in our Turner Lynch Campus Center and be administered by Peachtree Immediate Care. Parents will not be allowed inside the Campus Center, and will not be tested. Students MUST sign up for a time for move-in so they are able to be tested for COVID-19. It is very important that students sign-up for a time to maintain the safety of our campus.
You may bring a maximum of 2 guests to campus to help them move into their residence hall. All guests must wear a mask, and maintain social distance from other students/parents. Guests must depart campus after all items are moved into the residence hall room.
Move-in reminders, including final day logistics (with a traffic map), will be sent by September 1.
All students, guests, and staff will be required to wear a face-covering at all times during move-in. This includes indoors and outdoors.
Oglethorpe will provide students with two masks when they arrive on campus, but we encourage you to experiment with different types of face coverings for fit and comfort. A face covering should fit over your nose and mouth, without gaps, and allow you to breath comfortably at rest. Cloth face coverings should only be worn for one day, so you will need enough to last you between laundry periods.
All Oglethorpe residents should observe a 14-day period of enhanced social distancing at home before arriving on campus (this begins August 21). The goal of this period is to minimize the risk to the campus community as we start the fall semester.
During this 14-day period prior to move-in, we encourage you to adhere to the following guidance, which is consistent with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Stay home as much as possible to avoid contact with others outside of your home.
- Do not attend indoor social gatherings or indoor dining venues.
- Avoid public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares. See CDC guidance for travel to campus below.
- Maintain a physical distance from others (6 feet).
- Wear a face covering when in public settings or while interacting with others outside of the home.
- Practice frequent hand washing.
- Seek medical attention if you develop a fever, or other symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If you have these symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19, do not come to campus and contact Residence Life to receive further instructions.
Before you travel, please read the CDC’s “Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic” guidance for detailed information.
In an effort to further reduce the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate a potential outbreak on campus upon student arrival, Oglethorpe will implement the “Petrel Pause” for the initial two weeks of students being on campus. These first two weeks after your arrival on campus present a high-risk period for you and the campus community for spreading COVID-19.
Once on campus, students will be required to stay in the boundaries of the university and a list of pre-approved destinations. Students may otherwise only leave in case of emergency or by exception from Residence Life. Further information will be provided directly to residents.
Each of the following actions are an important part of our multilayer approach to reducing the spread of COVID-19 and building a community.
- Remain on campus as much as possible and avoid contact with others outside the campus community. There will be no visitors or guests allowed on campus or in residence halls.
- Do not attend indoor social gatherings. There will be no gatherings allowed on-campus.
- Avoid public transportation, taxis or ride-shares. See separate CDC guidance for travel to campus.
- Maintain a physical distance from others (6 feet).
- Wear a face covering when in public settings.
- Complete the screening questions on the Lifeguard mobile app twice per day. More information on Lifeguard will be sent via email.
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- You will receive exact log-in credentials through your Oglethorpe email account, and we expect all residents to begin using this app as they join our community.
Oglethorpe Dining is thrilled to see students returning to campus in the coming days. Without a doubt, this will be a unique year filled with continual adjustments and new experiences. Our goal is to ensure that your dining experience on campus is first and foremost safe, but also enriching to help you succeed in your virtual classrooms.
The most significant changes you will see this fall are related to the service model and hours of operation. The Café will be organized in a way to ensure safe distancing and expedited service. All associates will receive a wellness check upon arriving and are required to wear a facemask thorough their work shift. Furthermore, the dining hall will close briefly in-between meal periods to deep clean the Café, and our routine food safety procedures will remain a priority.
With a reduced campus population, Starbucks will be closed for the fall semester. To help fill the void, we plan to enhance the coffee station in the Café. You can expect Artisan teas, additional flavor shots, and other coffee add-ins. While the lower population warrants a right-sizing of resources, our ability to engage and flex the Café experience to your needs will be much greater. You are encouraged to provide continual feedback and suggestions through this online feedback platform. Also, view the most up to date information on location hours and our safety procedures.
Petrel’s Nest dining hours are:
Monday – Friday
- Breakfast 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Dinner 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday
- Brunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Dinner 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Update from 08/05/20
In keeping with our principle of health and safety, we will also offer a low-density model for campus housing. To allow for residential flexibility, all students will have the option to opt out of their on-campus housing requirement; students who wish to do so should take 1 minute to complete the On-Campus Opt-Out Form as soon as possible. The deadline to complete your opt-out request is August 10.
Students who wish to maintain their on-campus housing do not have to complete an opt-out form. Students living on campus are expected to adhere to community guidelines including the mandatory use of face coverings in all public spaces and careful observation of social distancing measures. Residents will have access to COVID-19 testing and can expect to be tested on campus prior to move-in and on a regular basis. We are following the guidelines of public health officials and developing measures for contact tracing and quarantining. Unfortunately, Greek housing will be closed for the Fall semester. Move-in for residential students will still take place on September 4 for incoming students and September 7 for returning students.