Spring 2022 Campus Operations

The Ouachita community continues to “Take Care, Tigers” through the collective work and commitment of our students, faculty and staff, as well as the integration of health insights and common sense. For Spring 2022, quarantine and isolation procedures have been shortened and adjusted to reflect CDC guidance, and on-campus options are now available. Restrictions may be added or removed throughout the semester as the public health situation evolves.

Masks: Masks are optional throughout campus. Faculty members who have health concerns may require masks in their specific classrooms. Athletic teams will be guided by NCAA and conference protocols.

Feeling Sick? Students, faculty and staff should each continue to monitor their own health for symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Those who are experiencing symptoms should use the CDC self-check screening or check with the Office of Health Services or their doctor before returning to class or work. Masks are encouraged if you are experiencing cold symptoms or other respiratory issues.

COVID-19 Testing: Testing is recommended for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is available in the Office of Health Services. Please call ahead to make an appointment: 870-245-5244. Testing of student-athletes will follow current Great American Conference and NCAA protocols. 

Quarantine and Isolation Procedures:

• Exposure/Close Contact: Those with known exposure to the virus should complete the following quarantine procedures as a close contact:
  • Wear a mask indoors when around others for 10 days from the known exposure.        
  • Get tested on day 5 after your last known exposure. Continue wearing a mask through day 10 even if your test is negative.
  • Decide to continue activities with testing or quarantine:
    • Asymptomatic individuals with known exposure may continue everyday activities (class, work, etc.), if they receive a negative test on both days 3 and 5 of quarantine (per the CDC’s Test-to-Stay practices for schools). These tests must be conducted in or verified by the Office of Health Services. Exceptions from the day 3 test are possible based on prior immunity; discuss with the Office of Health Services when you make your appointment for testing. They may continue activities prior to testing as long as they remain asymptomatic and follow mask protocol.
    • Individuals who are not tested on days 3 and 5 must quarantine for all 10 days at home or in their residence hall room/apartment (with agreement from roommate).
• Isolation: Those who test positive for the virus should complete the following procedures:
  • Wear a mask indoors when around others for 10 days from the positive test.
  • Isolate for 5 days from the date of positive test either off campus or in residence hall room/apartment (with agreement from roommate).
    • If staying, roommates who are close contacts have the option to stay in the room, go home or make other arrangements on campus.
    • You may leave your room during isolation as long as you wear a mask and avoid indoor public spaces (e.g. you may pick up food, exercise outdoors, etc.).
    • If symptoms are improving on day 5, you may return to everyday activities but must wear a mask the following 5 days. No follow-up testing is required.

For those who miss class or work due to quarantine or isolation:

• Meals will be arranged by Sodexo and the Office of Residence Life.
• Keeping up with classwork: Students who miss class should work with their instructors on the best way to make up for missed work according to their situation. Professors will determine the solution that works best for them and their students, whether providing a Zoom link, sharing access to recorded class sessions, posting notes and assignments on Moodle, or other personalized approaches. Ouachita faculty have always been known for going the extra mile to help students catch up when they had to miss classes due to illness or other circumstances beyond their control. They will continue to work with students who have to miss class due to quarantine or isolation.
• No room and board credit or work study credit will be issued for quarantined or isolated students; employees must use their accrued sick time or vacation time.
• Return to class/work: Confirmation from Ouachita’s Office of Health Services is required for students to return to class. A letter of release from Ouachita’s Office of Health Services, the Department of Health or your primary care physician is required for employees to return to work.
• Continued connection: While health-related contact tracing is the responsibility of the Arkansas Department of Health this year, Ouachita staff members also will check in with students throughout their absence for additional support. We realize it can be a trying and stressful time to be physically separated from the Ouachita community and intend to continue to connect virtually; students also are encouraged to contact and encourage their classmates who are isolated or quarantined.

Contact Tracing: Ouachita’s Office of Health Services with the athletic training staff will conduct initial contact tracing to enforce quarantine and isolation procedures for on-campus students. Ouachita’s Office of Health Services will validate absences from class. (See more about continued connection during isolation/quarantine below.)

Physical Distancing: Classrooms, arts events and athletics events have no capacity limitations. 

Sanitation: Hand sanitizers and water bottle-filling stations are located throughout campus and ventilation systems continue to benefit from the improvements made in 2020. Portable HEPA/UV filters also are still available throughout campus common spaces. Individuals are encouraged to wash their hands frequently.

COVID-19 Vaccines:

• A vaccine is not required to attend or work for Ouachita, but they are strongly encouraged to strengthen the safety of our campus community.
• COVID-19 vaccines are not available on campus but are widely available in the community. See vaccines.gov or the Arkansas Department of Health website to find a vaccination location.

Campus Guests: Guests are welcome to campus and are expected to follow the university’s current guidelines listed above. Please do not visit campus if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.