DIVISION OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS

With the Delta variant now prevalent in our region, COVID-19 cases in our campus community continue to rise as compared to our last reporting period. This increase, as outlined in our COVID-19 weekly dashboard, reflects county and statewide trends. While cases are rising, the Wood County Health Department is reporting the majority of cases are among unvaccinated individuals.

If you are able and haven't yet been vaccinated, now is the time. A vaccine is the best way to protect you and members of our community who are unable to get vaccinated. Vaccines are free and widely available. Falcon Health is offering walk-in vaccines Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Based on current community spread and health department recommendations, BGSU is requiring face coverings for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in public settings indoors when on our campuses. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms please stay home. If you test positive for COVID-19, please report your positive test result to health@bgsu.edu.

Vaccination and Exemption Plans

In preparation for spring semester, BGSU is requiring students, faculty and staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or receive an approved exemption.

Submitting proof of vaccination

Students, faculty and staff must submit their proof of full vaccination no later than Nov. 29 through Med+Proctor, available in MyBGSU.

For Students

Students who have already submitted their proof of vaccination through Med+Proctor will not be required to resubmit. If you are fully vaccinated and haven't yet submitted your vaccination status, submit vaccination now ➔

For Faculty and Staff

In order to verify proof of vaccination, faculty and staff will be required to submit vaccination status through Med+Proctor. Employees will receive a separate communication with more information about how to report their vaccination.

Submitting an exemption

BGSU will offer appropriate and balanced exemptions for students, faculty and staff members. These exemptions must either be medical, religious or reasons of personal conscience, and will be reviewed and approved by the Division of Health and Wellness. If you are planning to submit an exemption, you must complete your application no later than Nov. 1 to allow for time to review.

If a student, faculty or staff exemption is approved, they will be required to follow protocols for unvaccinated individuals regarding face coverings, quarantine and isolation and also participate in regular COVID-19 testing. Submit exemption now ➔

Free COVID-19 testing available

This fall, BGSU students, faculty and staff can pick up a free, at-home COVID-19 test with results in 15 minutes. The tests are available across campus and can be picked up at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, the Jerome Library, the Student Recreation Center and the front desks of residence halls.

In addition, we will offer free, on-campus testing inside the Bowen-Thompson Student Union on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These tests are administered by appointment only. Schedule your rapid test ➔

BGSU has partnered with NAVICA for its COVID-19 rapid testing program. The system allows everyone to view and share results electronically. BGSU students, faculty and staff received an email from NAVICA with a unique code to connect your NAVICA profile to BGSU. We strongly recommend anyone utilizing on-campus rapid testing to set up a NAVICA profile and connect it BGSU. The NAVICA app is available on the App Store [Apple] and the Google Play Store [Android].

If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, we encourage you to take advantage of these free testing options.

#VaxBGSU Winners

Last month, BGSU launched its vaccine incentive program, #VaxBGSU. This week, the fifth round of #VaxBGSU student winners were randomly selected and notified of their winnings. In all, eight students won prizes this week, including a MacBook Pro, a reserved parking spot on campus, $250 gift cards and more. There's still time to win #VaxBGSU prizes over the next three weeks, including full tuition up to four years, Starbucks for a year and more!

We all play a role in building a healthy, supportive community of care. If you haven’t yet signed the Community of Care Commitment, please review the commitment and submit the form.

We will continue to partner with our public health officials and communicate important updates as they develop. In addition, please visit our regularly updated COVID-19 website, including University protocols and FAQs.

Be well,

Ben Batey, MPH, RN
Chief Health and Wellness Officer