BGSU message regarding updates to University health, safety protocols beginning June 2

May 19, 2021

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University Chief Health Officer Ben Batey shared the following message today with students, faculty and staff regarding updates to the University's health and safety protocols beginning June 2:

"Last week, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated their COVID-19 protocols and recommendations. These changes will impact all of us, and Bowling Green State University has spent the last several days determining what this means for the campus community moving forward.

First, BGSU recognizes the revised guidelines were made based on growing scientific data around the overwhelming effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. For example, just last week, researchers from Cleveland Clinic released preliminary data that shows 99% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 are not fully vaccinated. In addition, the CDC’s MMWR report recently found the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are 94% effective against COVID-19 hospitalization among fully vaccinated adults. As previously announced, BGSU is strongly encouraging students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated.

Changes to BGSU health and safety protocols

On June 2, BGSU will make several changes to its current health and safety protocols, following relaxed statewide regulations that encourage businesses and schools to make their own decisions about how to best keep their students, employees and customers safe. These changes include: 

• Fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear face coverings outdoors while on BGSU campuses
• Fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear face coverings indoors, unless they are in a group setting of 10 or more individuals, while on BGSU campuses
• Unvaccinated individuals will be required to wear face coverings whenever they are around others on campus, both indoors and outdoors

BGSU will also begin to host larger, in-person events throughout the summer. By waiting until June 2 to make these changes, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to get vaccinated before the new guidelines take effect. The University will continually evaluate its health and safety protocols throughout the summer and communicate important updates and messages with you.

Vaccination status

Based on what we know today, BGSU will be maximizing in-person class offerings, events and gatherings for the fall. In order to do that, the University will need to confidently know the majority of our community is vaccinated. Not only do vaccines protect you, they also protect those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. BGSU will be rolling out the opportunity for individuals to voluntarily submit their vaccination status. The University will also introduce incentives for students, faculty and staff to participate in this program.

Answering your questions

Additionally, BGSU wants to have the opportunity to engage with the campus community about these changes. The University is in the process of building a robust FAQ and encourages you to submit questions you may have now. Next week, BGSU will also host live, virtual town halls to engage in a dialogue on the University's new health and safety protocols and our next steps in this global pandemic. A town hall for current and incoming students, parents and families will be held on Tuesday, May 25, at 6 p.m. A town hall for BGSU faculty and staff will be held on Thursday, May 27, at 1 p.m. Both events will be livestreamed and additional information will be shared in the coming days.

A community of care

Just as BGSU has done throughout the pandemic, the University will remain flexible as restrictions are lifted. BGSU will respect the comfort levels of students, faculty and staff who wish to continue to follow certain health and safety measures, such as wearing a face covering, physical distancing and health checks. As you interact with others on BGSU campuses, the University encourages you to be respectful of one another, building a community of care, as we have done this past year. BGSU is looking forward to a more normal campus life and appreciate how far we have come together to reach this moment."