The Office of Global Opportunities (OGO) cancelled three spring break programs prior to departure and affected students were notified.  

Spring break programs currently in progress are proceeding as planned. 

All Spring break programs will return to the United States by March 20, 2020 according with the mandate set forth by Ohio University as a response to the recent information from the State Department and CDC.  

Spring Break

OGO will refund the full program fee for the OHIO spring break programs that were cancelled prior to departure due to COVID-19. Refunds will be disbursed to student’s Ohio University accounts.  If students do not have a balance (i.e., owe any money) on their Ohio University account, they will receive a refund by Direct Deposit or check. For those with Direct Deposit, the refund will be released directly to their bank account. If they do not have Direct Deposit set up, a check will be mailed to the address on file in the student information system. 

Courses related to spring break programs are continuing as planned and tuition charges will remain on student accounts. 

Spring Semester

Refunds for OHIO spring semester programs will be reviewed on a program by program basis.  In most cases, the university has been charged for all onsite programs.  Ohio University will attempt to refund partial program fees if we are able to recoup funds that are not used for onsite programming.  Students will be notified of their refund status by the end of spring semester. 

Tuition charges will remain on student accounts as coursework will be completed online for Spring programs. 

Students on third party provider programs should contact that company directly for information about refunds.  Many organizations have adjusted their refund policies to respond to the current situation.  If you have questions about how to contact your study abroad organization or need assistance in that communication- please contact Global Opportunities global.opportunities@ohio.edu for assistance. 

For students wishing to retrieve belongings from the Residence Halls:

Residential Student ID cards will be programmed for building access privileges during the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. starting Thursday, March 12 through Monday, March 16 2020.  Please note that students are permitted to return to get belongings but cannot stay in the residence halls without prior express permission. If you are ill, do not return to campus.

For students who need to stay on campus:

Any student that wishes to return to campus (including student staff) must be pre-approved by Housing & Residence Life. Students can apply via www.ohio.edu/myhousing. Applications will be reviewed with a goal of making decisions within 24 hours.

For students living off campus:

The university recommends that all students return to their permanent residence for the remainder of the semester.  

Yes, as of March 12th, 2020, all University-related student programs and travelers currently abroad are currently being recalled.  All spring semester travelers must return from abroad by March 20, 2020. 

Upon return, travelers should follow CDC’s guidelines:

• If returning from a CDC Level 3 country (China, Iran, South Korea, Europe): Travelers returning from the specified countries in Europe must stay home for 14 days after returning from travel, monitor their health, and practice social distancing.
• If returning from a CDC Level 2 country: Travelers should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.
• Travelers that are sick with fever, cough, or have trouble breathing should stay home and call ahead before seeking medical care.

Upon your return to the US:

Follow CDC Guidelines:

• Travelers should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.
• Travelers that are sick with fever, cough, or have trouble breathing should stay home and call ahead before seeking medical care.

Follow the directives in President Nellis’ email:

“All students who traveled home over spring break are encouraged to stay at home, and those who were traveling over spring break are also asked not to return to campus during this timeframe. Students who live in residence halls on campus are not to return to campus after spring break unless they request and receive prior authorization by contacting housing@ohio.edu or 740-593-4090.” 

There are three options for arranging travel: 

1. Contact your travel provider or airline to rebook your flight. This is by far the best and most affordable option for all travelers. Airlines will most likely be flexible with changing flights and covering change fees given the uniqueness of the situation. Be sure to cite the CDC levels and University restriction as your reason for changing your return flight.  
2. Contact Ohio University’s travel provider CBT at +1 866-266-8806 if you wish to book at ticket through them. You can pay with a credit card or the cost can be billed to your student account. Please tell CBT that you are an Office of Global Opportunities/OGO student. 
3. Call International SOS at +1 215-942-8478 to request their support with booking a ticket.  

Note that: 

• You should not wait to book your flight. Take action now.  
• Make sure you have your passport and credit card ready when you call to rebook your ticket. 
• Please stay in touch about this process, especially in the case that you encounter change fees outside of your budget. 

Once you have arranged your return flight to the United States, it is imperative that you forward your new itinerary OhioUniversityTravel@itinerary.internationalsos.com, cc’ing the Office of Global Opportunities at global.opportunities@ohio.edu. 

At this time, we are planning for coursework on OHIO-credit programs to continue online after Ohio University's extended Spring Break.  

For students participating on NON-OHIO (including affiliate providers), we will be working with University partners in the coming days to provide additional information.  Please contact OGO via email global.opportunities@ohio.edu after you have returned to the US. 

We understand that this time is very stressful for all of our student, staff and faculty travelers. Ohio University has a 24-hour call line staffed by Counseling and Psychological Services (+ 740-593-1616). We encourage you to use this resource if you are feeling stress and anxiety about this situation. Additional resources are available through International SOS at +1 215-942-8478. 

Yes. All Ohio University students must return to the US by March 20, 2020. 

It may seem like an extreme measure for those outside of Asia and Europe, but our security partners, including International SOS are stating, "Every location will eventually be affected although the timing and extent of effect cannot be accurately predicted. Every country / territory will eventually move to an 'outbreak' classification, even if it currently has no confirmed cases." 

Additionally, the CDC and US State Department have increased worldwide ratings of risk, which in part, prompted Ohio University's decision. Your immediate return to the US will minimize your risk to possible further restrictions on inbound to travel to the US. It's possible that failing to comply with a directive from Ohio University could cause you to be brought up on sanctions through Community Standards & Student Responsibility (CSSR).
 

No. All Ohio University students must return to the US by March 20, 2020. Please return to your permanent residence.  

The decision to recall all University-related student programs and travelers currently abroad is not a decision we have made lightly. Our first priority remains the healthy and safety of all of our students and during the week of March 10, 2020 several critical updates were announced as the University, the state, the US and the world responded to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a COVID-19 Outbreak Notice with a Level 2 global alert (read the full alert) and a Level 3 alert for most of Europe (read the full alert)   
• The U.S. Department of State issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory “Reconsider Travel” (read the full advisory).  
• OGO’s security partners, including International SOS stated, "Every location will eventually be affected although the timing and extent of effect cannot be accurately predicted. Every country / territory will eventually move to an 'outbreak' classification, even if it currently has no confirmed cases." We cannot predict how the pandemic will continue to spread, nor can be predict potential restrictions on travel out of and into to the US. 
• Ohio University expanded its previously announced restriction on travel to encompass “all University-sponsored travel.” This includes all international and domestic travel.  

These developments coupled with the recent pace of COVID-19 spread and the uncertainty of future government responses/restrictions, have required this action.

No. All Ohio University related travel including domestic and international study away program offerings, travel with third-party providers, and other global experiences have been cancelled. 

This decision was made based on several factors including: 

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a COVID-19 Outbreak Notice with a Level 2 global alert (read the full alert) and a Level 3 alert for most of Europe (read the full alert)   

• The U.S. Department of State issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory “Reconsider Travel” (read the full advisory).  

• OGO’s security partners, including International SOS are stating, "Every location will eventually be affected although the timing and extent of effect cannot be accurately predicted. Every country / territory will eventually move to an 'outbreak' classification, even if it currently has no confirmed cases." We cannot predict how the pandemic will continue to spread, nor can be predict potential restrictions on travel out of and into to the US. 

• Ohio University expanded its previously announced restriction on travel to encompass “all University-sponsored travel.” This includes all international and domestic travel. 

While intended programs do not begin in the upcoming months, based on guidance we have received from our public health official, it is unlikely that the global levels and advisories will decrease.   We hope that this early cancellation will give students the opportunity to make alternative plans for their summer experience. 

The Office of Global Opportunities (OGO) will refund deposits for OHIO-Credit summer 2020 programs that have been cancelled.   

Refunds will be disbursed to student’s Ohio University accounts.  If students do not have a balance (i.e., owe any money) on their Ohio University account, they will receive a refund by Direct Deposit or check. For those with Direct Deposit, the refund will be released directly to their bank account. If they do not have Direct Deposit set up, a check will be mailed to the address on file in the student information system.

Please refer to the email from Dr. Colin Gabler. For further questions, please contact Dr. Gabler (gabler@ohio.edu) or Stephanie Howell (howells1@ohio.edu).

Contact the airline to discuss your need to cancel or postpone travel. Make sure you cite COVID-19 and the cancellation of your study away experience as the reason for this change. Many airlines are currently waiving rebooking and cancellation fees.

Please contact your academic advisor. For additional support, you may also consider reaching out to the Dean’s Office in your college of enrollment.