Ouachita Coronavirus Information
As Ouachita navigates the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this page will be updated with the most current information for the campus community.
Drawing on the guidance of the Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health
officials regarding COVID-19, Ouachita staff and faculty continue to monitor the situation
and adjust as needed to protect the health of the campus community.
Members
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Dr. Wesley Kluck, vice president for student development and university physician – chair
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Tyrese Allen, Student Senate president
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Dr. Byron Eubanks, chair of the Department of Philosophy and director of the Sutton Center for Integrity
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Tim Harrell, director of student life
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Caitlin Hetzel, director of housing and assistant director of residence life
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Dr. Tim Knight, dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences
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Missy Lewis, compliance officer and IT Services project coordinator
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Sherri Phelps, director of human resources
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Rickey Rogers, dean of students and director of residence life
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David Sharp, director of athletics
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James Taylor, director of campus ministries
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Molly Wallace, director of health services
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Brooke Zimny, assistant to the president for communications & marketing – ex officio
Charge
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Be current with public health guidance and practices, especially as they relate to institutions of higher education.
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Give direction and recommendations for applying public health guidance/practices to Ouachita’s leadership groups; faculty, staff, and students; and sponsored activities.
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Serve as a sounding board for the university community on public health practices and recommendations that are in place.
Ouachita COVID-19 Data
4
Total Current Active Cases
4 Students
0 Employees
78
Cumulative Positive Cases
2021-2022 Academic Year
4
Total Currently Quarantined
4 Students
0 Employees
56%
Students Fully
Vaccinated
81%
Employees Fully
Vaccinated
Ouachita is dedicated to transparency in educating and reporting on COVID-19 as part of our commitment to the health of our campus community. Data will be updated here weekly. On-campus testing is available for the campus community by appointment in the Office of Health Services. Case numbers are tracked by Ouachita’s Office of Health Services and include members of our residential student population (about 1,500), as well as about 350 faculty and staff members. Vaccination rates reflect the number of students and employees who have turned in their records to the Office of Health Services as part of the university's vaccine grant and bonus program, so actual rates are likely higher than published (current data is from Sept. 23 2021).
Case data published here began Aug. 11, 2021, and was last updated at 4 p.m. Sept. 21, 2021.
Fall 2021
current protocols
Last year, Ouachita implemented many protocols to encourage its students, faculty and staff to “Take Care, Tigers.” Thanks to our community’s collective work and commitment, we were able to continue in-person classes all year. In this year’s improved COVID-19 environment, including widespread access to vaccines, we hope to maintain fewer mandated restrictions while continuing our community’s commitment to mutual respect and care.
WASH HANDS
Clean your hands frequently, with soap and water when possible, washing for 20 seconds. Take advantage of hand sanitizer stations across campus throughout the day.
PLEASE WEAR A MASK
For the first month of the academic year, masks are required in public indoor spaces including classrooms, offices and auditoriums. They are optional in residence halls as well as outdoors.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
As COVID-19 primarily spreads from indoor person-to-person contact, keeping a 6-foot distance from others is encouraged indoors unless those present are fully vaccinated.
Take Care, Tigers
Respect for self, respect for others and respect for Ouachita's Christian mission define how our community learns, works and lives together in ordinary times – and even more so in the extraordinary pandemic context. As protocols are adjusted, members of the campus community are invited to continue to commit themselves to exercising healthy discretion in their behaviors and habits to help slow the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the local community.
Questions?
If you have a question or concern that isn’t addressed here, complete the following form to submit it for consideration. Form submissions may not each receive individual responses.
