OSU Welcomes Students Back To Campus As COVID-19 Cases Surge Due To The Delta Variant

Oklahoma State University's administration created a committee to decide when COVID-related changes need to be made.

"That group meets weekly to vet what's going on nationally, in the state, and locally. They will make determinations to tell Dr. Shrum," said Douglas A. Hallenbeck, OSU's Vice President for Student Affairs.

While OSU is excited to have everyone back in the classroom, they know the pandemic can change their plans.

For now, the plan is to bring students into classrooms.

All students, staff, and faculty are asked to wear a mask but are not required to.

Hallenbeck said compliance in mask wearing is up to the community.

Students are asked to screen themselves.

Professors will decide how to handle quarantines or positive COVID-19 tests.

About 30 students of 4,000 tested positive at move-in, but 10,000 are fully vaccinated.

Pop-up clinics will be available to vaccinate students all semester.

The Poke-A-Thon incentive program has already drawn 5,000 participants.

"It comes to light from the leadership of President Shrum and the public health mindset that we can come out and make this a positive way to encourage," said Hallenbeck.

The University of Oklahoma followed OSU's lead and is offering vaccine incentives to students.

Vaccinated students at both schools will be entered into a drawing for scholarships, new tech and even football tickets.