Changing developments to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation have forced Oakland University to take measures to ensure campus safety.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday, March 16 that sit-in restaurants, bars, gyms and theaters would close at 3 p.m. to contain the spread of the virus and remain closed through Monday, March 30.

OU’s resources have to comply with the new rules, so here is the status of various campus resources.

Kresge Library

Kresge Library and the OUWB Library closed at 3 p.m. Monday, March 16, and will remain closed through midnight on Tuesday, March 31.

Mariela Hristova, interim dean of University Libraries, said electronic materials — like ebooks and journal articles — are readily available online and can always be accessed via Library OneSearch and the library’s databases. Community members are also encouraged to seek research help remotely through chat and email on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kresge will no longer be charging late fees, and if community members request a book through Library OneSearch, they can use Pull for Pickup to have it mailed to them at no cost, or utilize electronic document delivery services for books the library owns.

Faculty members can submit electronic items to be made available on course reserves to use library materials for their classes.

According to the Campus Communications announcement, the library’s closure “does not prohibit employees or contractors [from] entering the listed facilities while working in their professional capacity,” meaning full-time library employees can still come onsite.

More information about Kresge’s remote services can be found on the OU Libraries Remote Services webpage, which is being updated as changes are implemented.

Recreation and Well-Being

The Recreation Center closed Monday, March 16, at 3 p.m. and will remain closed until the end of Whitmer’s executive order.

The Recreation and Athletic Outdoor Complex (the playfields and track) will be open dawn to dusk for outdoor activities, while the indoor complex, fitness court and residence hall gyms are closed, according to the center’s social media.

Career Services

According to a Facebook announcement, OU Career Services will remain open and fully functional. Until further notice, students and alumni can make face-to-face appointments and drop in to the Career Studio.

Students and alumni who prefer to limit in-person contact can schedule online appointments with career consultants or utilize Career Services’ Handshake Resource Library.

Career Services events have been canceled, but the resource will provide tips via social media on how to search for jobs while at home.

The Oakland University Writing Center

The Oakland University Writing Center (OUWC) is open for online appointments with its standard operating hours, pending authorization for student consultants to offer remote assistance, as of Monday, March 16.

The OUWC will shift its schedule to one-hour appointments to make up for any slowdowns caused by the online software. Writing consultations will run via the center’s scheduling software, WCONLINE, in either a video chat or text chat format.

This change stems from the library’s closure on Monday, March 16, as the OUWC originally aimed to also have limited in-person sessions.

According to Dr. Sherry Wynn Perdue, OUWC director, the center’s operating hours may also be subject to change, depending on client use and further developments of COVID-19.

To schedule an appointment, visit the OUWC’s online scheduler. Please check its website for more information and updates.

The Gender and Sexuality Center

According to Grace Wojcik, Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) coordinator, the GSC will be open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

All Pride Month 2020 events are suspended indefinitely, and all remaining GSC Discussion & Support Groups are canceled.

Veterans Support Services

The Veterans Support Services office will remain open with little change to its services. The only change is the office is no longer open late on Wednesdays.

The hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Other closed recreation and entertainment venues

According to the letter sent to the campus community, these places are also closed: 

• Meadow Brook Hall
• Meadow Brook Theatre
• Oakland University Art Gallery
• Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
• Varner Hall performance spaces
• The Habitat
• Grizz Dome
• O’rena
• Golf and Learning Center indoor simulator

As this is a developing story, much of this information is subject to change, depending on new executive orders and further evolutions of the COVID-19 pandemic.