Olivet Nazarene University has launch ‘Tiger Pause’ an emphasis call to action to be used around campus to remind students, faculty, staff, and visitors of actions to stay safe during the pandemic.
“Tiger Pause signage will be posted around campus to remind students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the importance of simple actions including wearing a face covering, keeping the “paws” clean, and maintaining a social distance of 6-feet whenever possible.” The University said in a statement.
Olivet has asked students to bring their own masks back to campus this fall and will make the PPE initiative available at the campus bookstore.
Fall classes will fall into one of three categories, including face-to-face classes, hybrid (combines face-to-face and online) classes, and fully online classes.
“Our primary concern is for your health and safety. We also have a strong concern to make sure you can complete your education, on schedule.” Dr. Bowling said in a pre-recorded statement when the pandemic first broke in March. The University shortly transferred all classes online afterward. At the time, less than 20 cases were reported in Kankakee County. As of Friday, over 400 were reported active with 1,700 to date.
Olivet’s back to school plan is committed to self-diagnostic practices with no indication of temperature checks as a preventative measure. That lack of institutional supervision already resulted in multiple students and faculty members exposed to a COVID-19 positive student at one Indiana school this past week. The student went half a day before being diagnosed.
“Require each member of the University community to self-report and isolate at home if diagnosed with COVID-19, or if a household member is diagnosed with COVID-19.” says The Olivet Experience 2020-2021 Academic Year Guidelines. That point was further driven home in an ONU Health and Safety Protocols updated on July 20th. “Before arriving at any Olivet Nazarene University location each day, all individuals (students, employees, and visitors) must self-monitor for the following COVID-19 symptoms or risk factors”
Olivet will welcome nearly 5,000 students back to campus in August. The school told students 85% of all classes will have some face-to-face elements.
“We are pleased that about 85% of our classes will have some face-to-face (F2F) instruction, with more than 55% fully F2F.” Director of Registration Services Mark Mountain told students in an email earlier this summer.
The University had scheduled the first event of the school year in April to be held Saturday, August 15th, when two Commencement Ceremonies are scheduled to proceed for undergraduate students and SGCS students in Bourbonnais. As of Saturday, there is no word from University officials if in fact those events will take place as scheduled.
Illinois reported record highs in COVID-19 cases on Friday, with 1,941. It was the most reported cases since late May.
