Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 3
Kiley Conner, left, has to ability to move her home to anywhere in the country that has a road. Her, and Chase Anderson, have converted an old school bus into a home. See article, Page 1. MELINDA INFANTE
State provides guidelines for safe in-person learning The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), has updated its ‘Return to Learn’ guidance supporting a safe return to in-person learning for Oklahoma schools. The updated document clarifies key terms and responsibilities related to COVID19 response in schools. With the health and safety of teachers, staff and students as the top priority, the recommended guidelines are designed to provide district and local health leaders a framework for decision making. “The Oklahoma Department of Health has been a tremendous partner with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and schools across the state as we move into a challenging new school year,” Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said. “This guidance is a critical tool for schools.”
“I have been encouraged in my work with Superintendent Hofmeister and her team, as well as our State Regents and university partners. We all share one common goal: keeping our students, teachers and support teams safe,” said Health Commissioner Lance Frye, MD. “In-person instruction is critical to the growth and development of Oklahoma’s youth. Their safety and that of the teachers and staff supporting them, is our top priority.” Key terms clarified in the update include isolation and quarantine, and the guidance delineates various stakeholder responsibilities related to COVID-19 response including required reporting of positive cases to local health departments, case investigation in schools. The full ‘Return to Learn’ school guidance is available at coronavirus.health.ok.gov in the “Resources and Recommendations” section.
Despite virus, OSU enrollment up Enrollment is up by more than 360 students at Oklahoma State University and retention is at an all-time high despite the challenges of a fall semester with a hybrid of online and in-person classes. The university saw a 1.5 percent bump in enrollment this fall compared with fall 2019. OSU has slightly more transfer students at 1,346, and the freshman class is nearly the same size as last year’s at 4,144. The combined student enrollment of the Tulsa and Stillwater campuses is now at 24,405. Enrollment for graduate and veterinary medicine students are up as well. “Although this is a difficult time for many as we work to keep safe and battle the impact of the pandemic, we are delighted that the loyalty and dedication of our students has resulted in increased enrollment and record retention,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Our faculty and staff
go the extra mile to welcome students into the Cowboy family and provide them a top-notch education.” The university is retaining 84.9 percent of its first-time, full-time undergraduates who started at OSU last year. That figure is up 1.7 percent from the previous year and up 0.3 percent from the record set in fall 1999. Kyle Wray, vice president for Enrollment and Brand Management, said everyone from the Office of First Year Success, housing, student advisors, faculty and college staff members play important roles in supporting students. “It takes a village,” he said. “We feel good about being one of the few institutions that can point to being up in enrollment. It has been a hard, difficult year for families and the university, but we feel like we are in a good place. The admissions and financial aid offices have performed magnificently.”
