January 20
The first confirmed case of 2019-nCoV infection in the United States, reported in Snohomish County, Washington.
January 27
Information About Novel Coronavirus. First Oberlin communication about Coronavirus. Statements to students, faculty, and staff and Q&A from the President’s Office.
January 30
WHO declares global health emergency.
January 31
A Letter and FAQs about Coronavirus. A welcome back to campus letter from Meredith Raimondo and John Harshbarger to the entire Oberlin Community. At the time, there were no suspected cases on Oberlin’s campus.
February 1
COVID Update from President Ambar. President Ambar provides the campus community with an update, including reminders of good social hygiene practices and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) belief that the risk for coronavirus in the U.S. is low.
February 4
Oberlin student presents with a low-grade fever and is evaluated by Student Health Services and the Lorain County Public Health Department. The student is determined not to meet the criteria to be considered a person under investigation for novel coronavirus. Additional steps are taken to add to the safety of campus including hand sanitizer and increasing the frequency of cleaning services.
February 18
President Ambar announces that Oberlin has notified the United Auto Workers that we are formally considering contracting with outside vendors for dining and custodial services.
February 26
The CDC confirms the nation’s first case of suspected local transmission of COVID-19 in a patient in California with no travel history to an outbreak area nor contact with anyone diagnosed with the virus. Oregon, Washington, and New York soon report cases of possible community transmission in their state.
February 29
The nation’s first COVID-19 death is reported in Washington State, after a man with no travel history to China dies on February 28 at Evergreen Health Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington.
March 3
President Ambar provides an update to campus regarding international study and travel, spring break travel, sporting events, and precautions on campus.
March 5
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issue an order prohibiting spectators at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus. It’s the first move by the state to limit large gatherings.
March 9
First confirmed cases in Ohio. The individuals live in Cuyahoga County and are in their 50s. Gov. DeWine issues a state of emergency.
March 10
President Ambar announces changes to Spring Recess, which initially included classes ending on March 18, to prepare for the possibility of a remote end of the semester.
State urges against large, indoor gatherings.
The Conservatory announces specific responses to the pandemic.
March 11
NBA suspends indoor season.
Bonner Center memo to support faculty in strategizing to adjust course curriculum to facilitate the completion of Community-Based Learning courses online to preserve community partnerships and meet students’ learning goals to the greatest possible extent.
President Ambar announces that classes will end on Friday, March 13, and all students will need to leave by Monday, March 16. She says that remote learning will begin March 30.
Gov. DeWine and Health Director Dr. Acton issue an order banning mass gatherings of 100 or more people, including at stadiums, arenas, and theaters. The Mid-American Conference and NCAA basketball tournaments, both with games scheduled at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, are canceled.
The CDC warns against holding or attending gatherings larger than 50 people, including conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, and weddings for eight weeks.
Gov. DeWine closes bars and restaurants.
Oberlin employee tests positive for COVID-19, resulting in a campus update from President Ambar with notice to the campus about the positive test and reminders of what to do if experiencing symptoms and also tips on self-health.
March 16
Ohio K-12 schools close at the end of the day, under the governor’s order. On the eve of Ohio’s presidential primary, Health Director Dr. Acton issues an order closing polling locations, citing the public health crisis.
President Ambar communicates that students are safely off campus and telecommuting plans are beginning to take shape.
March 17
West Virginia reports its first COVID-19 case, signifying the disease is present in all 50 states.
President Ambar provides the campus with an update on the telecommuting plan and the college’s commitment to staffing and reassigning as necessary.
March 18
Mark Wagoner Sr., a 76-year-old Toledo man, becomes the first coronavirus death in Ohio. DeWine orders barbershops, hair salons, nail salons, and tattoo parlors to close, as well as nearly all of the BMV locations.
March 19
The number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio surpasses 100.
March 22
Gov. DeWine issues stay-at-home order and the college explains to the Oberlin community the impact of the governor’s order.
March 23
Stay-at-home order starts. Ohio’s new stay-at-home order takes effect and lasts until April 6. All senior centers and adult day care services stop providing care in congregate settings.
The Conservatory publishes its revised academic policies for spring.
March 25
A Message from President Ambar updates students and parents considering their next steps.
Response from faculty committees to Student Senate’s “universal pass” proposal. A message from Dean David Kamitsuka and Dean Bill Quillen in response to the Student Senate proposal outlining changes adopted to the academic policy in response to COVID-19.
Extension of stay-at-home order to May 1. An update to faculty and staff regarding the extension of DeWine’s stay-at-home order.
April 3
Room and board refund update to students and parents. President Ambar updates students and parents regarding the refund status for the remainder of the semester’s room and board.
April 9
COVID-19 cases surpass 5,500 in Ohio and the death toll hits 213.
April 13
The College releases a response regarding the adjustments for remote learning. It is called the Essential Pedagogical Adjustments to Remote Learning and A Revised Grading Protocol for A&S Courses in the Spring Semester, 2020.
April 14
The Conservatory launches Stage Left, a series of online programs featuring faculty and students, as well as guests from around the globe.
April 16
Gov. DeWine announces intent to start gradually restarting Ohio’s economy on May 1.
April 20
President Ambar updates the College community on finances, commencement, and enrollment. The message includes an update on the contingencies that will impact the college during the summer, the cancellation of summer activities, alternative commencement plans, and enrollment updates.
Gov. DeWine keeps K-12 school buildings closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Planning for five Oberlin Summer Academic Enrichment courses begins; three were offered from Arts and Sciences: Writing Through Transition, The Quantitative Toolkit, and Cinema and Change; two were offered through the Conservatory: Music Theory Jumpstart and Music of the 1970s.
Dean Kamitsuka talks with the Educational Plans and Policies Committee about the three-term plan possibility.
May 8
Conservatory Faculty Council (CFC) begins discussing de-densification strategies.
May 12
Retail resumes in Ohio.
May 14
Arts and Sciences chairs meet to discuss three-term plan possibilities.
May 15
CFC begins discussing the three-semester model.
Personal services resume in Ohio. Restaurants and bars open for outdoor service.
654 boxes are curated and mailed to the Class of 2020 with various remembrances from academic, College, and Conservatory offices.
May 19
Arts and Sciences Divisional Advisory Committee (DAC) holds meetings to follow up on a three-term plan.
May 20
Special meeting of the Arts & Sciences faculty and staff is held, 225 people attend.
May 21
Restaurants and bars resume indoor service.
May 25
George Floyd dies in police custody in Minneapolis, sparking global protests.
Oberlin College celebrates the Class of 2020 with a virtual celebration.
May 26
Gyms and the Ohio BMV reopen; non-contact and limited contact sports leagues resume.
May 28
Arts and Sciences faculty surveyed about 2020-21 Academic Calendar (195 responses).
Special meeting of Conservatory Faculty is held to discuss reopening plans.
Meeting with HLC regarding possible 2020-21 academic year scenarios and process for approval.
May 29
EPPC endorses three-term plan and sends memo to President Ambar and Dean Kamitsuka.
May 30
Protesters angry about the killing of George Floyd gather in Cleveland, become violent.
June 1
Ohio announces that gatherings of more than 10 people are permitted; banquet halls and catering centers are allowed to reopen with a maximum of 300 people.
June 2
CIT/AARC meet to discuss options in Banner for Fall Semester.
June 4
Three-Term pilot chairs meeting.
June 8
Meeting held to discuss financial aid implications of three-term academic year.
CIT meets to discuss three-term academic year reporting needs.
COVID-19 planning for 2020-21 at Oberlin College. President Ambar outlines the fundamental goal to provide an in-person experience as safely as possible for as many students as Oberlin can safely accommodate.
June 11
College and Conservatory deans meet to discuss adjusted class schedule.
Dr. Amy Acton, Health Director for the State of Ohio, steps down.
June 12
Oberlin announces virtual town halls for students and families to prepare them for life back on campus.
June 13-15
DAC chairs meet to discuss three-term academic year.
June 15
Oberlin launches the first phase of a return to on-campus work plan and begins to organize work rotations.
June 16
AARC/Institutional Research meeting on set-up of cohorts.
Winter Term planning for August and May begins.
June 18
AARC/CIT/SIG meet on student registration requirements.
June 19
Weekly cross-divisional communications meetings start with directors, including AARC, financial aid, student accounts, ResEd, finance, and Conservatory
A&S Deans give College Faculty Council an update on three-semester plan.
June 24
Planning begins with language department chairs, directors of Career Development Center and the Winter Term Office to create opportunities to sustain language learning in off-semesters.
June 26
Initial remote-only survey sent to students scheduled to enroll in the fall.
Conservatory Faculty Council, Conservatory conductors, and staff from Conservatory Dean’s Office meet with student leaders from the Oberlin College Black Musicians Guild (OCBMG), the Conservatory Council of Students, and student and alumni representatives concerning programming curriculum and other matters.
June 29
Oberlin sends updates about 2021 Winter Term, the Junior Practicum Program, and Research Projects for Junior Practicum.
Registrar’s Office Banner upgrade testing of registrarial functions in preparation for three-term set up begins and continues through July 2.
Deans Kamitsuka, Quillen, and Raimondo ask students to begin identifying their Fall 2020 plans for on-campus or remote study. Information is also shared regarding the community agreement and housing. Decision deadlines established.
July 10
Housing decisions are due and finalized.
July 13
President Ambar sends announcement in support of international students.
July 14
Oberlin employees update: Return to on-campus work phase two is announced. Phase two runs through August 30. Phase three will begin on August 31.
Conservatory develops audition plans and procedures, formalizes Winter Term policies and approves hybrid course instruction.
July 15
Enrollment planning and community agreement due from all students attending Oberlin in the fall.
AVI assumes dining services with three meals being served daily in Stevenson Hall.
Academic catalog is released for fall.
Intent-to-enroll survey goes live; revised schedule of courses goes live.
July 16
A&S faculty and staff hold Zoom drop-in meeting to discuss issues related to reopening.
Registrar’s Office meets with Office of Financial Aid and Office of Student Accounts to confirm three-term student record set-up.
July 17
College releases The Twelve Thorniest Questions Video… with President Ambar for students and parents to aid in their decision-making about coming to campus in the fall.
July 21
Launch of ObieSafe and ObieSafe Weekly.
July 24
The College shares an overview of Oberlin’s testing protocol, explaining the rationale, process, and offering a sneak peek of what the test will be like.
July 25
Appeals committee meeting to review requests from students who wish to change semesters of enrollment.
July 26
Process begins to de-register students from all previous Fall 2020 course registrations.
July 28
College holds webinar with Cleveland Clinic physicians to answer questions from the Oberlin community.
July 30
A&S faculty and staff hold Zoom drop-in meeting to discuss enrollment for fall and other issues.
PALs and ConPALs conduct virtual welcome and overview.
Conservatory Faculty Council, Conservatory EPC, and Conservatory Dean’s Office retreat to formulate statement of commitments to near- and medium-term curricular and programmatic change. *Joined for half of retreat by student representatives from the Conservatory Council of Students and Oberlin College Black Musicians Guild.
August 5
Oberlin testing protocol begins with faculty and staff.
August 10
A COVID-19 strategy update is sent to the college community. Announcement of the first week of fall semester being virtual and the possible delay in testing results notification is included.
August 11
Conservatory approves large ensemble substitution policy.
August 11-12
Continuing and returning student registration for two semesters of attendance.
August 12
Arts and Sciences faculty and staff hold Zoom drop-in meeting to discuss student semi-quarantine protocol upon arrival and more.
August 13
New student advising via Zoom.
August 13-14
New student registration.
August 14
Full Measure, our symptoms monitoring tool, launches.
August 16
Residential assistants begin arriving on campus.
August 17
Move-in and returning to campus communications are sent.
August 19President Ambar sends a personal video to campus before students arrive, reminding them to take precautions before arriving on campus to ensure the Fall Semester begins on a good note.
August 20
Each classroom is outfitted with technology to support Zoom classrooms and teaching experimentation.
October 16
President Ambar cancels some winter sports.
October 20
Campus testing reveals six positive cases, ending three weeks of zero positive cases on campus.
October 21
Oberlin learns all positive cases were successfully mitigated and contact tracing helped contain the spread.
October 25
President Ambar provides the Oberlin community with an update and looks at what to expect in January. Announces a first week remote in January.
November 3
Presidential Election takes place and there is one polling location on campus.
November 4
OC Votes holds faculty panel on Zoom to discuss and analyze election results.
November 11
Gov. DeWine holds news conference and warns that Ohio colleges and universities may not be able to bring students back to campus in January.