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COVID-19 Information

UPDATE: April 20, 2020
OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas shares a weekly update, discussing the CARES Act and how it benefits OBU students, the official cancellation of May commencement and plans to instead host a graduation celebration in late summer.

As part of the CARES Act, the U.S. Department of Education is distributing more than $6 billion to colleges and universities to provide direct emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak.

All OBU students will receive an email from OBU later this week asking them to complete a form identifying expenses incurred related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Information from the applications will help us distribute the funds in the best way possible. Students should watch for an email to arrive in their OBU email account later this week containing a link to the OBU CARES Act form and complete the form as soon as possible. A deadline for form submission will be included in the email.
 


UPDATE: April 1, 2020
The NCAA Division II Administrative Committee provided the following update on recruiting, eligibility, transfers, and upcoming programs.

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UPDATE: March 30, 2020
OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas shares encouragement, vital information, and Scripture, as well as words of gratitude to the entire OBU community at the onset of the second week of fully online learning. The university has also set up a link to virtual services for students. Click the link below for more information and to access these resources.

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UPDATE: March 23, 2020
OBU president Dr. Heath A. Thomas recorded the following video March 23, 2020.
 
 

UPDATE: March 20, 2020
Dr. Susan DeWoody, OBU provost, sent the following information to students on March 20, 2020, regarding guidance for on-campus housing:  
 

UPDATE: March 20, 2020
Per a release from the NCAA, all spring sport student-athletes will be granted an additional season of eligibility as a result of the cancellation of the spring season. Senior spring sport student-athletes will qualify for an extension of their eligibility clock to use an additional season.

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UPDATE: March 20, 2020
Following an official announcement by Oklahoma Baptist University president Dr. Heath Thomas earlier today, classes at OBU will be moving online for the remainder of the semester beginning Monday, March 23.
 
Pertinent information for OBU student-athletes is listed below.
  • Classes are fully ONLINE beginning March 23 through the end of the semester.
  • Campus Housing is closed except for extreme hardship cases and married students. Students and employees will be receiving an email from OBU later today providing specifics on housing and food service options for those who need to stay on campus for extreme hardship. Additionally, students will receive an email from Residential Life about procedures regarding procuring belongings from residence halls and apartments.
  • OBU will be providing relief for students for room and board. Details will be coming next week.
  • We will continue to monitor the situation and will make a decision concerning Spring Commencement at a later date.
  • The OBU campus is not closing. We are directing individuals who can work from home, to work from home to reduce the number of people on campus in accordance with CDC guidelines. Essential personnel will work from the OBU campus and other personnel will work remotely as necessary. Supervisors are working with the President’s Council to identify positions/employees in their specific areas who can work remotely from home and are making arrangements for them to do so. Working remotely from home is a temporary measure during this time of national emergency.
  • All athletics facilities will be closed until further notice.
  • No countable athletically related activities (CARA) will be allowed.
Student-athletes and parents are encouraged to follow the official @OBU_Athletics Twitter account for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, this page as been created at as a centralized hub for updates throughout the remainder of the spring semester.

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UPDATE: March 16, 2020
An update from OBU Director of Athletics Robert Davenport.
 
 

UPDATE: March 13, 2020
The NCAA Division II Administrative Committee announced several important decisions, including providing institutions flexibility to assist student-athletes with travel, in addition to the already permitted housing and meals. The committee also granted an additional season of eligibility to athletes in spring sports, and waived sports sponsorship requirements for schools canceling spring seasons.

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UPDATE: March 12, 2020
Per release from the NCAA, all 2020 NCAA Winter and Spring Championships have been canceled due to the evolving COVID-19 public health threat through the world.

Additionally, the Great American Conference Council of Presidents announced an indefinite suspension of the conference's sports activities (practices and competitions) for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year effective immediately.

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