OPSU Update on COVID-19–March 27

Statement from Dr. Tim Faltyn, President of Oklahoma Panhandle State University

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we are making every effort to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Oklahoma State Department of Health measures. We are grateful for the continued support of the OPSU community. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community.

With a lot of hard decisions made in the past two weeks, this one is perhaps the most difficult. Oklahoma Panhandle State University will continue with virtual instruction for the remainder of the spring semester, 2020. This decision has been made with great collaboration across campus and with the hope of keeping our students, employees, and community safe.

At this point, the 2020 Commencement Program will be postponed until further notice. We fully intend to hold a commencement program for our 2020 graduates when it is deemed safe. Graduation is one of the best days on campus, and we look forward to celebrating this important accomplishment with our graduates and their loved ones.

We will continue to actively work to make the best decisions we can in this unprecedented situation. We will communicate all decisions to our campus community as quickly and effectively as possible. Please check our OPSU website regularly at https://opsu.edu/coronavirus for the most updated information as we progress through this rapidly changing situation.

The most current changes to the operations at OPSU are listed below:

Restricted access to campus buildings

OPSU campus is closed to the public until further notice. All University and community events are postponed at this time. Mission-critical personnel will be on campus as appropriate and will be scheduled to minimize contact with others. All campus offices can be accessed virtually. If necessary, telecommunication and video conferencing can be arranged. A directory is available online here.

Residential Housing and Food Services

Students who live on campus must make arrangements to remove their belongings and check out and practice social distancing at this time. We will assist all students who must remain on campus because they have no other option for housing. Please check your OPSU email and the website for additional information and to schedule your check-out. All students who are able should be checked out from campus housing no later than April 12, 2020.

OPSU will continue to provide all students who are not able to leave campus with grab and go meals at our University cafeteria and will continue to look for ways that make their stay on campus during these unprecedented times as comfortable as possible

Refunds and Credits for Room, Board, and Applicable Fees

Room, board, and applicable fees will be refunded to students on a prorated basis as appropriate.