Access into the streatery is provided only

State provides guidelines for safe in-person learning

The Oklahoma State Department “I have been encouraged in my work of Health (OSDH), in partnership with Superintendent Hofmeister and with the Oklahoma State Departher team, as well as our State Regents ment of Education (OSDE), has upand university partners. We all share dated its ‘Return to Learn’ guidance one common goal: keeping our stusupporting a safe return to in-person dents, teachers and support teams learning for Oklahoma schools. The safe,” said Health Commissioner Lance updated document clarifies key terms Frye, MD. “In-person instruction is critiand responsibilities related to COVIDcal to the growth and development of 19 response in schools. Oklahoma’s youth. Their safety and

With the health and safety of that of the teachers and staff supportteachers, staff and students as the ing them, is our top priority.” top priority, the recommended guideKey terms clarified in the update lines are designed to provide district include isolation and quarantine, and and local health leaders a framework the guidance delineates various stakefor decision making. “The Oklahoma holder responsibilities related to Department of Health has been a COVID-19 response including retremendous partner with the Oklaquired reporting of positive cases to homa State Department of Education local health departments, case invesand schools across the state as we tigation in schools. move into a challenging new school The full ‘Return to Learn’ school year,” Oklahoma Superintendent of guidance is available at Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister coronavirus.health.ok.gov in the “Resaid. “This guidance is a critical tool sources and Recommendations” secfor schools.” tion. Despite virus, OSU enrollment up

Enrollment is up by more than 360 go the extra mile to welcome stustudents at Oklahoma State Univerdents into the Cowboy family and sity and retention is at an all-time provide them a top-notch education.” high despite the challenges of a fall The university is retaining 84.9 persemester with a hybrid of online and cent of its first-time, full-time undergradin-person classes. uates who started at OSU last year.

The university saw a 1.5 percent That figure is up 1.7 percent from the bump in enrollment this fall comprevious year and up 0.3 percent from pared with fall 2019. OSU has the record set in fall 1999. slightly more transfer students at Kyle Wray, vice president for Enroll1,346, and the freshman class is ment and Brand Management, said nearly the same size as last year’s at everyone from the Office of First 4,144. The combined student enrollYear Success, housing, student adviment of the Tulsa and Stillwater camsors, faculty and college staff mempuses is now at 24,405. Enrollment bers play important roles in for graduate and veterinary medicine supporting students. students are up as well. “It takes a village,” he said. “We

“Although this is a difficult time for feel good about being one of the few many as we work to keep safe and institutions that can point to being battle the impact of the pandemic, up in enrollment. It has been a hard, we are delighted that the loyalty and difficult year for families and the unidedication of our students has reversity, but we feel like we are in a sulted in increased enrollment and good place. The admissions and firecord retention,” said OSU President nancial aid offices have performed Burns Hargis. “Our faculty and staff magnificently.”

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