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January 22, 2021
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Dear Parents and Families,
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This evening, Provost Whitehead and I sent the email below to check in with your student as we completed our second week of classes.
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We continue to be so thankful for our parents and families and your support of your student. Next week, you will receive more information about office hours with me and Amy Swank, director of parent, family and new student connections.
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We are in this together.
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Regards,
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Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D.
President
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January 22, 2021
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As we complete our second week of classes together, we wanted to check in with you and share some important COVID-19 information.
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- This week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the extension of the statewide curfew of 10 p.m. The University had made the adjustments to its affected operations.
- The start of the spring semester brought the repopulation of our campuses with students. We increased our COVID-19 testing to better identify positive cases and to more effectively contact trace, isolate and quarantine. As we shared last week, BGSU is offering free testing for students, faculty and staff, with a preference to those who are physically on our campuses. While a limited resource, this increased testing capability allows for members of our community to have access to rapid antigen and PCR tests. Students, faculty and staff may schedule an appointment today. In addition, as we did in the fall semester, we will conduct randomized surveillance and targeted testing.
- Vaccine distribution across the nation and state continues to ramp up. Most of our community is not eligible yet, based on Ohio standards, but we remain committed to keeping you updated about vaccine information as it will be the most effective tool to slowing the spread of this virus. More information is available about vaccines at Wood County Health Department and Erie County Health Department.
- In our message to you last week, we shared that we were evaluating a refund for the inconvenience of the changes to locations and hours of operations for BGSU Dining, due to the number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases with their staff. All students who have purchased meal plans this spring semester received an email from BGSU today sharing that they will be receiving a 10 percent refund to their account. This does not apply to meal plans paid via scholarship. We hope this addresses your current inconvenience and any unforeseen future challenges.
- To our students who are learning in our in-person/hybrid, remote or fully online courses this semester, we want to remind you that our faculty and staff are here for you throughout this semester. We are always open to feedback. You can share both positive experiences and concerns by emailing President Rogers at president@bgsu.edu.
- Earlier this week, we addressed the large parties that occurred off campus in Bowling Green last weekend. While it was a small percent of our students who participated, we ask you to consider that your actions directly impact the public health and well-being of our community.
- The firepits from the Winter Wonderland continue to be rotated among our residence halls. We also encourage you to check out all the events that continue to happen this weekend at our Weeks of Welcome website.
- Yesterday, we shared with our parents and families a new office dedicated to focusing on and supporting them. This new area builds upon our student-centered progress and realigns existing staff members to help ensure each student is successful at BGSU. Learn more about the Office of Parent, Family and New Student Connections today!
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We are now another week down, and with that, another step toward being on the other side of this crisis. We continue to appreciate all you are doing to ensure we move forward together. We are in this together, and we will continue to regularly check in with you.
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Regards,
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Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D.
President
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Joe B. Whitehead Jr., Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
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