COVID-19 Campus Resource Page

Thanksgiving is a traditional time of travel and family gatherings.  In spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that many will continue this Thanksgiving tradition of spending time with extended members of their families, and it is possible that we could see a rise in exposures to Coronavirus.  With considerable thought towards the safety of our students, faculty, and staff, Rose State College will change our mode of instruction following the Thanksgiving break. 

Beginning Monday, November 30^th, all classroom lectures will be delivered through online methods only.  Students who are enrolled in labs, clinicals, and activity classes should check with their professors regarding these classes.  Information on Final Exams will also be provided by Professors. 

The campus, to include The Village at Rose State, all student services, the Student Union, the LRC, and the Wellness Center, will remain open.  Campus offices will operate on a reduced hours schedule from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday through Friday from November 30^th until the holiday break begins at 5:00 pm on December 22^nd.  The campus will reopen for the Spring Semester on Monday January 4^th. 

Jeanie Webb

Dear Rose State College Family, 

As many of you are aware, the State of Oklahoma has recently seen an increase in COVID-19 cases. In response, masks or face coverings will be made mandatory in many campus areas beginning on Monday, July 20. 

This change, which comes after situational analysis and employee consultation, brings the campus into alignment with CDC guidelines and recommendations. To achieve and facilitate this new protocol, all employees will receive two reusable face coverings. Specifics regarding our policy are outlined in the attached document.  Joedon Hughes has done an extraordinary job in creating this document and helping facilitate and coordinate our COVID-19 response efforts. 

However, I urge all employees to approach this policy as a team and family. If you see someone without a mask or face covering, kindly but firmly explain our policy and, if possible, offer them a disposable mask. Do not harass, threaten, or become belligerent – if the individual is a student, make note of it and pass this information along to Student Conduct. If the individual is a visitor, make note of it and pass this information along to Security. 

Despite the challenges that lay ahead, I fully believe that our College will emerge stronger than before. The campus has taken numerous steps to enhance your safety when you return, such as adding protective barriers, floor markings, and widespread distribution of hand sanitizer and disinfectant. Additionally, the college has purchased electrostatic misters in order to fully disinfect facilities overnight. To further our success, we need you to fully support this new protocol and help Rose State College be safe and healthy. 

I look forward to seeing the rest of the Rose State family back on campus, as many of our Rose State family have been present working on campus since Spring Break in order to keep the College running and financially stable. It is imperative that we all work together and bring the team back to serve our students who are excited about the beginning of the fall semester on August 17. Keep in mind, it might look different, but our mission remains the same – serving students. 

Stay safe and stay healthy! 

Sincerely,

Jeanie Webb

The Rose State College Foundation Board is committed to supporting current RSC students who are needing financial assistance during the covid-19 pandemic.  The fund will provide home internet access for students who do not currently have the service, assist students with a portion of their outstanding spring semester balances, and other immediate needs.  It’s important for students to complete the spring semester and enroll in virtual summer classes at RSC.  The Foundation wants to ensure that students will complete their education without any barriers.  

To be considered for covid-19 student relief, the students must be currently enrolled in at least six credit hours and complete the covid-19 student relief application. The applications will be reviewed by a campus committee, and the Foundation office will notify the grant recipients.  

The most pressing item we have is connecting all Rose State students with internet access in their homes!  I know this is a fast turnaround, but would love to get as many names and addresses of students to Cox Communications by Wednesday, April 22^nd.  I am asking all professors who are aware of students without internet access in their home to please reach out to them and inform them of this opportunity.   It is extremely important that students complete the covid-19 student relief application in order to receive the internet access! 

The covid-19 student relief fund has been established to support Rose State students and donations will be accepted at rose.edu/studentrelief. We know the need is great and welcome support to ensure a seamless educational journey for our students.  

Many thanks to each of you for supporting our efforts and communicating with your students! 

Please call the RSC Foundation office at (405) 736-0315 if you need additional information!

Take care and stay safe!

Cindy Mikeman

For your information, Rose State College will conduct a virtual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2020, to recognize its graduating class of 2020.  In addition to my comments, the virtual ceremony will consist of remarks from the Chair of the Rose State College Board of Regents, Betty JC Wright as well as the traditional challenge from the Faculty Senate President and acceptance of that challenge by the President of the Student Senate.  Each graduate will have the opportunity to have their name announced as a personalized slide appears. 

I recognize that there is no way that this virtual ceremony can match the excitement or the pomp and circumstance of the real ceremony, but we felt we had to make every effort to recognize the accomplishments of our students.  These are very unusual circumstances that we are facing, and clearly our first concerns are the health and safety of our students and their guests. 

Graduates will receive an invitation to participate in the virtual ceremony in the coming days.  Be sure to remind graduates to monitor their emails for this information.  It is extremely important that they provide us with the requested information by the deadline.  There is no way they can be included in the virtual graduation if the pictures and comments are not provided.  The class of 2020 will also be invited back to campus to participate in the ceremony with the class of 2021 in May of that year. 

Rose State College is making every effort, in spite of COVID-19, for the class of 2020 and their family and friends to experience a successful graduation.  It is my hope, as President, that we can continue to come together and overcome these times.  I am extremely thankful for the continued positivity and understanding the Rose State College campus and surrounding communities have displayed.

Sincerely,

President Jeanie Webb

Students,

You can now engage the support of RSC counselors while you safely remain in your homes.  We have a new online platform which allows us to hold free confidential counseling sessions; call 733-7373 to arrange your first session with a Rose State counselor.  If we are unable to answer you call, please leave a message with your phone number and we will call back as soon as we can.  You may also email counselingservices@rose.edu  to arrange a counseling session.

Until we meet, here are a couple of ideas to help you improve your wellbeing.

Improve Your Sense of Control and Ability to Endure

• Accept circumstances that cannot be changed and focus on what you can alter.
• Modify your definition of a "good day" to meet the current reality of the situation.
• Problem-solve and set achievable goals within the new circumstances in your life

Remain Hopeful

• Consider the stressful situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective.
• Look for opportunities to practice being more patient or kind with yourself, or to see the situation as an opportunity to learn or build strengths.
• Celebrate successes, find things to be grateful about, and take satisfaction in completing tasks, even small ones.
• Give yourself small breaks from the stress of the situation by doing something you enjoy.
• Draw upon your spirituality, those who inspire you, or your personal beliefs and values.

Be safe and stay well!

Dr. Joanne  Stafford

Dear Rose State Family,

I hope you are all staying safe and adjusting well to the many changes happening in your daily lives, and across our campus.

As you know, we have been constantly monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and are working to keep our students and employees safe, while also continuing to provide quality service and instruction.

Additionally, in accordance with actions taken at other colleges and universities in the State, as well as other recommended health precautions, and following Governor Stitt’s announcement, Rose State College will maintain continuing operations of certain essential and mission critical functions with limited on-campus staff. These mission critical areas follow Department of Homeland Security guidance announced through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).  Specifically, the following limited operations shall be maintained:

• The first-floor open space computer labs in the LRC will remain open to students who may not otherwise have access to needed technology.  Hours of operation are as follows:  Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday – closed, Sunday 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Social distancing will be required and no more than 10 students to utilize at a time.
• E.A.S.T. (Enrollment and Specialized Testing) located in the Student Services Building will remain open for Accuplacer placement, ACT Residual, CLEP, and DSST exams by appointment only.  Social distancing will be required.  Call 405-733-7320 to schedule.
• Housing will remain open for students in a limited capacity.  Social distancing will be required.
• Information Technology Services, to maintain critical operations.
• Operations, to ensure the continued maintenance, cleanliness, and logistical function of the college.
• Payroll, to ensure that work-related pay is still processed.
• Accounts Payable, Purchasing, and Cashiers to ensure that the college fulfills its financial obligations.  Bills can also be paid online.
• Security, to ensure the continued safety of the campus.
• Bookstore located in the Susan Loveless Center.
• EmPower Program will continue to operate.
• Raider Necessities (Food Pantry) will operate on a reduced schedule, Monday – Thursday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with curbside pick-up only.  Please call 405-736-0285.
• Division offices will have a limited staff and will continue to answer all questions via technology. However, the building will not be open.  

Please keep in mind, the only buildings that will remain open are the Learning Resource Center, Bookstore in the Susan Loveless building, Student Service Building (testing center only by appointment), Administration Building, and the EmPower program.  Buildings and offices will be accessible to employees who need to come to campus.  We will continue to operate “back-room” operations with limited employees present, and handle student, employee and public inquiries by email and phone. 

I realize this will continue to be a transition for all of us, and there are still many questions to be answered. However, I know our campus will work together to tackle these challenges as they arise. I am so very proud to be a part of this college, and to work with its outstanding faculty, staff and students.  We will get through this together!

Sincerely,
Dr. Jeanie Webb
President

After careful consideration and in an abundance of caution, Rose State College’s traditional classes will not be held March 23 – March 27. During this week, Rose State on-campus, face-to-face courses will transition to an online format, and online instruction for all students (except those designated) will begin the following week (March 30 – April 3).  Certain student populations will continue normal operations following spring break.  These include: 

• HSC Clinicals, and
• the Dental program.

Courses that are already online will not be disrupted by this transition.  To clarify, our face-to-face courses will be transitioned to online and ready for students beginning Monday, March 30th .  Thus, it is paramount that students and faculty communicate to ensure a smooth transition.   Campus offices will remain open for normal use.  Division offices will be open 8:00 – 5:00.  Some campus services and facilities may be limited in availability.  Please be sure to check the website for the latest information.

Further information will be communicated via email and via our campus COVID-19 webpage. Rose State College appreciates your accommodation for these changes – we believe that this is the best course of action that will further protect the Rose State College community.

If you have any questions, please contact our Office of Safety, Security, and Risk Management at jhughes@rose.edu. Thank you for taking this matter seriously, and for your commitment to the health, safety and well-being of our community. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Jeanie Webb
President

Dear Raider Community, 

The safety of the Rose State College community is of great importance and the College is taking a number of steps to mitigate the threat of the COVID-19 transmission. One of the areas we are addressing is travel. As we rapidly approach Spring Break, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss travel, both official and personal. 

Yesterday evening, President Trump announced the suspension of entry for most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival in the United States. According to the Department of Homeland Security, this ban does not apply to legal permanent residents of the United States and, generally, it does not apply to immediately family members of United States citizens. The ban will start at midnight Friday, March 13, 2020 and will last for 30 days. The list of affected European countries can be found on the Department of Homeland Security website. 

Regarding official international travel, all international travel is suspended until further notice. This policy is effective immediately. 

Regarding official domestic travel, currently planned domestic travel will be carefully assessed on a case-by-case basis examining the mission criticality of the travel and the degree of virus transmission at the destination. Further domestic travel that has not been officially processed is suspended until further notice. Questions and concerns regarding official domestic travel should be directed to the Office of Safety, Security, and Risk Management. 

Regarding personal travel, the College strongly urges prudent analysis with regard to domestic and international air travel. As of Wednesday evening, the United States Department of State issued a Global Health Advisory, raising the worldwide travel advisory to Level 3. All citizens are urged to reconsider travel abroad. This situation is fluid and rapidly evolving with multiple countries attempting to contain or mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, to include border restrictions and quarantines. 

Members of the College community who are taking personal international air travel are strongly encouraged to reconsider the needs of the travel. Further, employees taking personal international air travel must be ready to comply with self-isolation procedures and requirements. 

All members of the College community who are planning to travel internationally are urged to visit the travel webpages at the U.S. State Department and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Further, the College has developed a webpage that will capture our guidance and policies regarding the current situation. 

This is, undoubtably, a stressful time for the world. I urge you to use this upcoming break to destress, decompress, and relax. The College is vigorously working to do its part in mitigating this threat and will be in constant communication with the College community. Your wellness is our top priority. Please be safe!

Sincerely, 

Dr. Jeanie Webb

President, Rose State College

Dear Raider Community, 

I would like to take this opportunity to assure the campus population that the College is taking steps to mitigate the threat posed by COVID-19 Coronavirus. Presently, there are no reported cases of COVID-19 at Rose State College or within the Oklahoma City metro.

In the coming days, we will be using our COVID-19 webpage to send out further information and guidance on how you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This will be through both electronic communications as well as an awareness campaign across our campus. 

Right now, you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This can be accomplished by frequently washing your hands for 20 second or longer, staying home when you are sick, and covering your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. By exercising these simple hygiene habits, you will greatly diminish the spread of the virus. 

Rose State’s spring break, March 16-20, 2020 is around the corner and if you choose to travel, especially internationally, we strongly encourage you to conduct research on your destination through travel advisories issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 has sustained transmission in certain areas of the world and it is an evolving situation in others. This evolving situation may result in strict country exit controls, increased passenger screening, and potential area quarantines. Preparing yourself beforehand will be instrumental in avoiding potential issues during your travel. 

I want to assure the College community that we are taking proactive measures to be as prepared as possible. We will be carefully monitoring the situation and are in close communication with our community partners. As the situation warrants, updates will be issued through email as well as this webpage. The safety and wellness of the Rose State College community is our priority. Please be safe! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Jeanie Webb

President, Rose State College