Oak Point University Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Response
Campus Update: Thursday, January, 2022
From the Office of the President
Dear Students, Faculty & Staff,
I hope your holiday celebrations went well and that you were able to spend time reconnecting with family and friends.
In recent days, there have been significant increases in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant. University leadership has been monitoring the situation here and beyond for any changes in the pandemic that required new actions.
To this end, starting on Monday, January 10 through January 30, all face-to-face classes will be taught remotely. Specific information regarding classes will be available on the Brightspace course sites.
We expect to return to normal, face-to-face instruction and in-person campus operations beginning Monday, January 31.
During this three-week period, both the Wicker Park and Oak Brook campuses will only be open for simulation and lab courses, as well as scheduled residency weekends. Clinical rotations will also be held in person.
Tomorrow morning, faculty, staff, and students will receive another communication with detailed information on what to expect over the next few weeks, including:
- Information on student support services;
- Information on health and safety protocols for in-person simulation, lab, residency, and clinicals;
- Information on working remote for employees.
Thank you for your flexibility and adaptability during this time.
Dr. Scanlan, President
Campus Update: Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Updated COVID vaccination schedule is posted here.
Covid Vaccination Schedule – Updated 8/31/21
Campus Update: Friday, August 27, 2021
From the Office of the President
Dear Oak Point Community:
I hope everyone is well and looking forward to the beginning of the Fall semester.
We have previously communicated that many of our clinical partners, including Amita’s St. Elizabeth in which our Chicago campus resides, would be requiring all faculty, students, and staff entering their facility (whether for clinical assignments or other educational/work-related activities) to be vaccinated. Many of you have been vaccinated and we thank you for respecting our partner’s requirements.
On August 26, 2021, Governor Pritzker released new guidance that now requires all higher education personnel and students to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. The Governor’s announcement set a date of September 5, 2021, as the deadline for someone not yet vaccinated to receive the first of a two-dose vaccination or a single-dose vaccination. Second doses of the vaccine are to be received within 30 days after the first dose. The vaccination information will need to be entered into Castlebranch by September 5, 2021, to be eligible to enter one of our campuses or attend a clinical rotation.
The Governor’s statement acknowledges some may seek to opt-out for medical reasons or based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Those who seek an exemption should contact Marlena Avalos, Director of Student Academic Success (marlena.avalos@oakpoint.edu). Exemption requests will be reviewed and, when clinically related, will be forwarded to relevant clinical sites for their review and decision. It is important to note that third-party clinical sites may grant or deny exemption requests at their discretion – the University cannot guarantee the granting of any exemption request by any clinical partner. It is also important to note that third-party clinical sites may change their exemption process at any time, including the revocation of exemptions previously granted.
The Governor also announced that masks will be required (for all over the age of two) in all indoor settings, effective Monday, August 30th. This requirement is applicable for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals statewide.
It is important to restate that the University will be unable to place a student at a clinical site with the student does not meet the requirements of the site, regardless of reason. While we will try to work with students who do not meet requirements to create alternative options that satisfy accreditation standards, the University cannot guarantee that the alternative will be deemed by the student to be equivalent to a third-party clinical rotation or that the student’s progress in the program is not delayed.
Again, we thank and appreciate all of you who have previously ensured compliance with our partners’ requirements, which are now the requirements of the State of Illinois.
We encourage those who have not yet met those requirements, reiterated by the Governor’s announcement, to meet the State-imposed deadlines noted above.
Sincerely,
Dr. Scanlan
Campus Update: Thursday, August 26, 2021
Governor Pritzker Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Healthcare Workers, Pre-K-12 Teachers and Staff, Higher Education Personnel and Students to Slow Spread of Delta Variant.
Statewide mask mandate starts Monday, 8/30
Workers and students in applicable settings must receive the first dose of a two-dose vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by September 5, 2021. Second doses of the vaccine must be received by 30 days after the first dose.
https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.23808.html
Campus Update: Monday, August 2, 2021
As news about Covid-19, vaccinations, and masking requirements continue to develop locally, nationally, and globally, it is important to reiterate Oak Point’s current requirements and expectations, based on local mandates, partner/site mandates, and CDC guidelines. Please see below for information about requirements at our Chicago and Oak Brook Campuses.
SIM Supplies Donated to AMITA Health
Oak Point Launches Online, Self-Paced Course, “Nursing Readiness in the Face of COVID-19”
Oak Point University is providing online, self-paced education to promote the understanding of COVID-19. We’ll cover the disease process, prevention measures, telehealth, crisis management, and more. This course is open to all nurses who are interested in:
- Safely caring for patients affected by COVID-19
- Supporting hospital employees taking care of COVID-19 patients
- Educating and supporting family members of COVID-19 patients
Campus Update: Wednesday, March 25, 2020
From the Office of the President
Dear Oak Point Community,
My how things have changed in such a short period of time! Perhaps you have had the same thought run through your mind. There has been so much change in our communities, both far and wide, in only a matter of days.
I want to thank each and every one of you for the efforts that have gone into switching to a virtual environment. I hope we are all learning from the quick pivot, and will be able to laugh about some of the things that happened in the future, and also adjust how we approach our work and our students.
Based on some feedback on the switch to a virtual environment, we are changing a few dates for semester timing.
The 2020 Spring semester will be extended one week. The semester was originally scheduled to end April 17, 2020, and will now end April 24, 2020.
We will also be delaying the start of the Summer term, from May 4th to May 18th. In addition to providing a little extra time to rest, we are hoping this extra time will allow us to meet on campus again. The modification of the Summer term will then lead to a change in the Fall term start to September 14th .
Students will receive a communication from me shortly with the same calendar adjustments. An updated Academic Calendar will soon be published on the website reflecting the above changes.
I hope you are taking care of yourself during this time, whether it is a walk around the block, a good stretch or watching something on TV or Netflix to make you smile. I took a walk around my neighborhood yesterday, and it was good to be out in the sun, to hear the birds chirping and seeing the beginnings of plants starting to grow.
I am looking forward to the day when we can all be back on campus.
Dr. Scanlan, President
Campus Update: Sunday, March 22, 2020
Dear Oak Point Community:
I hope each and every one of you are safe and well during this unique and difficult time we are all facing. As we earlier stated, we indicated we would keep you informed of any updates or changes with the COVID-19 virus as it relates to Oak Point.
We have learned that an undergraduate nursing student in Role Transition (final course) has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first confirmed COVID-19 case among Oak Point faculty, staff, or students. The student came into contact with a patient on March 9th and is now self-isolating and is self-monitoring symptoms.
In line with the campus’ response plan and guidance from public health officials and as a precaution, Oak Point has taken action to notify individuals who may have interacted with this person.
We understand that this news may cause concern. Please be assured that, at this time, we believe the risk to others on campus is contained to those individuals who have already been contacted by the University. If you have not been contacted, there is no evidence you are at an increased risk as a result of this one case on campus. Obviously, the COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving.
Please continue to visit this page for updates from Oak Point and CDC.gov for federal guidelines. We will continue to send out information as it becomes available. Please take care of yourselves.
Dr. Scanlan, President
Campus Update: Saturday, March 14, 2020
Dear Students:
As you are aware Oak Point is committed to your education and safety as well as our partners and the community that we serve. In view of the rapidly evolving nature of the coronavirus (COVID 19) situation, we want to keep you informed of the plans for ensuring that your work for the current term/semester is completed as scheduled.
Starting at 5:00 p.m. today, all clinical education activities are suspended and transferred to online activities until further notice.
Starting on Monday, March 16th, all face-to-face classes will be transitioned to an online format. Your faculty has been working diligently in preparation for this change, specific directions regarding your classes will be available on each of your Brightspace course sites.
You will be responsible for taking your scheduled tests remotely using Respondus monitor lock down browser. Please be aware that if you do not have a camera on your PC, you will need to procure a USB camera for your PC. In the event that you do not have internet access, please contact IT for assistance.
You will be required to complete all assignments, exams, and clinical work (online) as specified by your credit hours and your schedule.
Please monitor this page for further updates regarding activities in response to the Coronavirus (COVID 19) situation.
Thank you,
Connie Zak, DNP, MBA, FNP-BC; Dean, College of Nursing; Professor
Mary Ellen Newton, MS, RT (R ) (M); Program Director, Saint Francis School of Radiography; Associate Professor
Theresa Jones, MSEd, RHIA; Director, Health Information Management
Campus Update: Friday, March 13, 2020
Oak Point STUDENTS: We are working to transition your didactic learning to an online environment early next week (the week of March 15). Your program directors, or dean, distributed an email communication last night and will provide updates on progress as soon as possible. Classes will continue as scheduled until further notice.
Oak Point Community: Due to the rapidly evolving nature of the coronavirus (COVID-19), recommendations from Governor Pritzker and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Oak Point University has postponed the following events until further notice:
Postponed
- Open House (previously scheduled for Saturday, March 21)
- Men in Nursing (previously scheduled for Saturday, April 4)
- Spring 2020 Pinning (previously scheduled for Friday, April 17)
- Spring 2020 Commencement (previously scheduled for Saturday, April 18)
The following events will be moved to a virtual, or online, format:
Virtual or Live-Stream
- Open House, Saturday, March 21 (event is postponed but a virtual sneak peek will be available online)
- Saint Francis School of Radiography’s BS, Imaging Technology Information Session, Thursday, March 26
We understand the inconvenience this may have on some; however, the health and safety of students and their families, the community, faculty, and staff are our greatest concern. We will continue to keep you abreast of changes and your options in the coming days.
Campus Update: Thursday, March 12, 2020
Oak Point’s first priority is our learning community. We continue to monitor updates regarding COVID-19 and will keep the campus and our partners abreast of new developments as they relate to our students, faculty, and staff.
Currently, our campus is open and operations are continuing as usual. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Oak Point University. The University has contingency plans that include online classes and vSim (virtual simulation) in the event that our campus access is limited or restricted.
There is always a possibility that Oak Point students may be working in a facility where patients are being tested and treated for COVID-19. If there are, patients are immediately moved to isolation when COVID-19 is detected. If there is a larger concern or threat, our partners have an obligation to protect our students and will inform us accordingly. Last week, we were informed immediately about a possible exposure at a partner facility that was ultimately cleared.
We want to encourage all to continue to report concerns or information so that we can make decisions accordingly, on a case-by-case basis. Contact your instructor, then program director, or dean if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19. If a student is quarantined or self-quarantined as a precaution, he/she/they should partner with their instructor, then program director or dean, to explore opportunities to make up for missed assignments and/or absences.
Special Events/Activities at Oak Point
In light of the precautionary measures we must take, we are asking that guests follow the recommended guidelines provided by the CDC when attending events. Additionally, and because we are housed inside of a hospital, there are other expectations we require to help keep you and others safe while on the premises. We must ask that if you are attending one of our events, that you limit the number of guests who accompany you, and if possible, we ask that you consider not bringing guests or children at this time.
We are continuing with plans to host our upcoming events, but ask that you exercise certain cautions:
- New Student Orientation (s), 3/14, 3/18, 3/24, 4/2, 4/7, 4/21
- Open House, 3/21
- Saint Francis School of Radiography Information Session, 3/26
- Men in Nursing, 4/4
- TEAS: 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/8, 4/17, 4/22, 4/29 HESI: 3/11, 3/25, 4/21, 4/30
Campus Update: Wednesday, March 4, 2020
As this is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation, Oak Point University is continually monitoring updates provided by the IDPH, CDPH, CDC, and the WHO. We will continue to inform our learning community of updated information and guidance as it becomes available.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people, and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people.
Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world and commonly cause mild to moderate illness in people worldwide. However, the emergence of novel (new) coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, have been associated with more severe respiratory illness.
Symptoms
Common human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. These illnesses usually only last for a short amount of time. Symptoms may include:
- Fever (over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Human Coronaviruses can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Transmission
Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
- Air by coughing and sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
- Rarely, fecal contamination
Prevention
The following can help prevent the spread of coronaviruses and protect yourself from becoming infected:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Properly sanitize equipment before and after patient contact
- Practice proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)’s measures
There are currently no vaccines to protect against human coronavirus infections.
Treatment
There are no specific treatments. To help relieve symptoms:
- Take pain and fever medications
- Drink plenty of liquids
- Stay home and rest
At Oak Point, we are committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff who may be directly affected by COVID-19. In the event that the travel recommendations or risk assessments apply, please partner with your Dean/Program Director/Supervisor to develop an alternative plan of study or work.
During our day-to-day activities and especially during difficult times it is important to remember our Core Value of Compassion and Respect. Compassion fosters in us a sensitivity to the needs of every individual and Respect commits us to honor the diversity and dignity of each member of the community.
Campus Update: Wednesday, February 12, 2020
2019-nCoV: Guidance for Students, Faculty, & Staff
2019 Novel Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, is a new respiratory virus identified in December 2019 as the cause of an outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. 2019-nCoV has resulted in thousands of confirmed cases, including cases outside China. The latest situation summary updates, including the number of cases identified in the U.S., are available on CDC’s web page 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China.
While the immediate health risk of 2019-nCoV to the general public, both in the United States and in Chicago, remains low, everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat. The goal of the ongoing U.S. public health response is to detect new cases quickly and prevent community spread of 2019-nCoV. The coming days and weeks are likely to bring more confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in the U.S. and globally, but strong public health measures now may blunt the impact of the virus.
Due to recent acceleration of 2019-nCoV transmission across China and in accordance with current federal guidance, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends the following:
- Any student, faculty, or staff returning from mainland China on February 3, 2020, and onward should not attend school for 14 days after the return date.
- Absences for this purpose should be excused.
- Family members of these students should not attend work if they also traveled to mainland China.
This interim guidance is effective as of February 3, 2020, and does not apply retrospectively to students who have been in China during the previous 14 days and are already in the U.S., or those being managed as part of a contact investigation.
Students, faculty, and staff who returned from mainland China prior to February 3, 2020, can remain in school. Students, faculty, and staff who returned from mainland China between January 21, 2020-February 2, 2020, and develop respiratory symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, should seek medical care right away. Please call your medical provider in advance, so they are prepared to see you.
CDPH recommends avoiding travel to China. The latest travel updates are available on CDC’s web page Traveler’s Health.
For more information, please visit www.chicago.gov/2019-nCoV or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, email coronavirus@chicago.gov, or call 312.746.4835.
At Oak Point, we are committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff who may be directly affected by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. In the event that the above recommendations apply, please partner with your Dean/Program Director/Supervisor to develop an alternative plan of study or work. During our day-to-day activities and especially during difficult times it is important to remember our Core Value of Compassion and Respect. Compassion fosters in us a sensitivity to the needs of every individual and Respect commits us to honor the diversity and dignity of each member of the community.
This page will be edited regularly with updates as information becomes available.
