COVID-19 UPDATE: Fall update for Portland and Eugene campuses

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Here is the current information related to university operations and programs. The latest information is available on the UO Coronavirus website. 

NEW:

  • Based on community spread in the Portland metro area and the fact that Multnomah County remains in Phase 1 for the state’s reopening guidelines, a decision has been made to provide all UO Portland classes remotely for the fall term. The campus will remain open for some student engagement activities but with reduced numbers of individuals on campus and significant safety measures in place.
  • President Michael H. Schill sent a message to returning and incoming students regarding plans for fall term and safety measures being put into place for students, faculty and staff. The UO is assessing the situation on a daily basis and seeking guidance from local, state, and national public health authorities as well as advice and counsel from peer institutions.
  • President Schill also announced that students living in the UO’s residence halls will be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and a minimum of one other occasion during the fall term; more information will be provided to students who have signed up for on-campus housing.
  • The University of Oregon will no longer report new cases of COVID-19 in the UO community in the Updates. Information on new cases and total cases to date is always available on the UO Case page, which is updated immediately when cases are reported to the UO and confirmed by local health authorities.

REMINDERS:

  • As the university continues planning for fall resumption, Human Resources and the Office of the Provost last week coordinated an outreach effort to engage UO employees in the planning conversation:
    – Faculty and graduate employees received a message from Provost Patrick Phillips with a status update on the planning for in-person instruction and a request to complete a survey on targeted on-campus availability. 
    – Officers of administration and classified employees received a message from Chief Human Resources Officer Mark Schmelz encouraging them to engage in a conversation about employee work arrangements and work collaboratively, particularly in light of some school districts’ plans for fall.

You can reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 by limiting the number of people with whom you are in close contact. Take the following precautions:  

  • Keep groups small and limited to only people you know.
  • Wear masks or cloth face coverings.  
  • Remember that exposure is defined as being within six feet of another for 15 minutes.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching common surfaces.
  • Don’t share drinks, vapes, or utensils.

RESOURCES:

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • Since reporting began, 43 members of the UO community have tested positive or have been considered presumptive positive. The Oregon Health Authority reports 21,488 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in the state, 590 cases in Lane County, 4,960 in Multnomah County, and 91 in Coos County on August 10.
  • The university continues to work in close coordination with the Oregon Health Authority and our companion institutions and agencies.
  • As a reminder, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outline some general precautions to minimize the spread of respiratory diseases. 

The UO is providing biweekly COVID-19 updates, on Mondays and Thursdays. Urgent information will be shared through direct emails.

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