The University of Olivet CARES: A New Year Message and Important Return to Campus Information

It’s almost here … 2021 … Finally!
You have endured. You have persevered. You have shown the world, and most importantly yourself, what you are made of and what you can do! 2021 is sure to have its share of challenges, yet, you made it through 2020, so you’ll make it through 2021, too! Resolve in 2021 to never give up on yourself or your dreams.
This week’s OC CARES communication is lengthy and addresses several essential topics you need to be aware of before your return to campus:

1. Important: Required steps to sign up for the preferred day and time of your return.
2. Important: Required proof of negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than Jan. 8 and before your selected move-in day.
3. Classes begin Jan. 18!
4. Student Town Hall via Zoom, Monday, Jan. 11.
5. Required daily health screening and temperature check using ClearPass.
6. Meal service.
7. Student employment.

Sign Up Required in Advance to Return to Campus

For the entire The University of Olivet community’s health and safety, residential students will be required to sign up for their return to campus in January via Sign Up Genius. Watch for an email from the Office of Student Engagement/Housing the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 5 with details and the link to sign up for your return to campus.
In addition, like many colleges and universities, The University of Olivet is requiring residential students to test negative for COVID-19 before their return to campus. (Read below for details on testing.) This preventative measure will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 after the extended holiday break.
Move-In Dates

• Wed., Jan. 13
• Thurs., Jan. 14
• Fri., Jan. 15
• Sat., Jan. 16
• Sun., Jan. 17

On the day/time of your scheduled campus arrival, you will have three check-in options, depending on whether you have already submitted your negative COVID-19 test result via email as outlined below:

1. Express Check-In (Easiest): Students who submit their negative COVID-19 test result via email no later than Jan. 11, 5 p.m., should report directly to their residence to check in.
2. General Check-In (Easier): Students who have a negative COIVD-19 test result but do not submit it via email by Jan. 11, 5 p.m. must check in at the Cutler Event Center and show proof of a negative test result.
3. Delayed Check-In (Not as Easy): Students who arrive on campus and cannot show proof of a negative COVID-19 test will not be allowed to move in until testing can be arranged.

Required Negative COVID-19 Test to Return to Campus

• Residential students are required to test negative for COVID-19 before their return to campus.
• The test must not be taken until Friday, Jan. 8 or later (but prior to your return to campus).
• Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 between Oct. 5 and Jan. 3 are not required to be tested again but must provide the requested documentation.
• Students who live out of state may be tested in their home state prior to returning to campus.

Click here to find a test site near you.

1. Type in your location. You can type in your full address, just a city or even just your zip code.
2. Select a preferred time.
3. Select if you want to see all test locations or only those that offer free testing.
4. Select “adult” for patient type.
5. Be sure to click “search” in pink at the top, right side of the screen.

There are many Michigan locations where you can get tested at no charge to you. If you need additional testing location information, please call the state of Michigan COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136, and press 1.
When to Get Your COVID-19 Test
The COVID-19 test should be completed as close as possible to the time of your return to campus that allows for you to have your test result by the time you come to campus. It is imperative that you not get your COVID-19 test too soon. No test should occur prior to Friday. Jan. 8.
Regardless of the date of your test you will need to have your test results by the time you come to campus.
What to Do After Your COVID-19 Test and Before You Return to Campus

1. If you test negative, self-quarantine for the remainder of your time off campus so that you limit your possible exposure to COVID-19.
2. If you test negative, take a picture of your negative test result and email it to mycovidresult@uolivet.edu. By emailing your test result by Jan. 11, 5 p.m., you will qualify for Express Check-In when you return to campus and can report directly to your residence. (You’ll also be entered to win a $25 Willow Tree Cafe and Bakery gift card, courtesy of Professor KayDee Perry!)
3. If you cannot email your test result in advance, bring your test result with you when you return to campus. You will be required to complete the General Check-In process. Report directly to Cutler Event Center to check in.
4. If you test positive, email mycovidresult@uolivet.edu for further instruction from the student engagement team on next steps. Do not come to campus.
5. If you tested positive for COVID-19 between Oct. 5 and Jan. 3, take a picture of your positive COVID-19 test results and email it to mycovidresult@uolivet.edu. You do not need to have another test.
6. Your test result will only show your name, date of birth, date of the COVID-19 test and whether you tested positive or negative. No other personal information will be displayed.

Noncompliance with Move-In or Testing Procedures
Any student who does not complete both the required sign up process and testing by the start of classes on Monday, Jan. 18 will not be officially approved to return to campus. As such they will be notified of non-compliance and possible repercussions. These may include any or all of the following measures:

1. KC meal card, including Comet Cash, will not be activated until you have been approved to move in.
2. Students will not be allowed to move into their campus residence until testing arrangments have been made and results have been received.
3. If a student tests positive once having arrived on campus, they must isolate as required and outlined in the OC CARES Pandemic Response Plan.
4. Face judicial sanction.

Spring Classes Begin Monday, Jan. 18!

We are thrilled to begin the spring semester in less than three weeks.
To meet the needs of students and faculty during the pandemic, the College will continue to offer three modes of course delivery this spring semester:

1. Face-to-Face (F2F) Course: This course will be held totally on campus at the meeting times and locations noted on your course schedule.
2. Hybrid Course: The course will meet once a week in the classroom and hold a second class meeting each week via Zoom at the times indicated on your course schedule.
3. Online Synchronous Course: This course will be delivered online through virtual Zoom meetings at the times indicated on your course schedule.

It is imperative that you review and understand your course schedule before classes start. Click here for an explanation of how to determine your course type and location when viewing your course schedule on MyOlivet.
Communication with your professor is key to a successful semester – regardless of whether your course is F2F, hybrid or online. If you must miss a class for any reason, let your professor know about your situation as soon as possible. They want to work with you toward the successful completion of their course.

Save the Date: Student Town Hall, Monday, Jan. 11

A Zoom Student Town Hall is planned for Monday Jan. 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. Registration is not required. Spring semester is likely to have its challenges, and this student-only Town Hall is meant to address your questions and concerns. Watch for the Town Hall Zoom link in next week’s email. Check your The University of Olivet email for the Dec. 30 OC CARES communication with a link that will provide you the opportunity to submit a question or comment in advance of the Town Hall.
If you missed the Dec. 18 Student Town Hall, check your email for the Dec. 30 OC CARES communication that includes the link and passcode to view.

Required Daily Health Screening

As part of the OC CARES Student Pledge, students agree to complete a mandatory daily health screening and temperature check while on campus. The screening continues to be mandatory and must be completed daily, including weekends, regardless of whether you leave your residence. Click here for the daily health screening guidelines. Click here for the OC CARES ClearPass app instructions.
Faculty and staff have the right to ask to see your daily health screening pass on your phone or via your OC email account. Make your daily health screening and temperature check part of your morning routine before you leave your residence.

Meal Service: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The Kirk Center and Starbucks Café will be open and serving to-go options only at this time. The Chartwells staff is whipping up additional menu options for takeaway service in the Starbucks Cafe to make it easier for you to grab a filling meal on the go. Click here for KC and Starbucks hours, menus and more. The Olivet community also offers an assortment of eateries.

Campus Student Employment

On-campus, spring 2021 semester job opportunities are posted on MyOlivet. You must apply for a job using the application process and follow the guidelines set by the hiring department to retain your employment. Many jobs require that students be eligible for certain federal financial aid, which will be assessed during the hiring process. To view job opportunities, log into MyOlivet and click on “Student Employment” in the Quick Links navigation on the left side of the page.
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” — Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha