Classes move online, booster shots to be mandatory at Oberlin College

OBERLIN — All Oberlin College classes went fully remote for the last two days of the semester in reaction to the spread of the omicron variant. Professors were at first given the choice to end the fall semester online if they desired. But then about 50 people on campus tested positive for COVID-19, according to a message sent out across the college community. Oberlin administrators canceled in-person classes for Tuesday and Wednesday. They also called a halt to all planned in-person concerts, sporting events and other gatherings. "Because we know so many of you are traveling in the next couple of days and are concerned about bringing COVID home with you, we are increasing the availability of testing immediately," President Carmen Twillie Ambar wrote. Walk-in testing was made available at Hales Gym, though Ambar noted that like other organizations across Lorain County, Oberlin College had a limited number of rapid tests available. The college already had announced on its website that it would provide online options for all winter term classes: "We are making this change to give ourselves the maximum amount of time for our entire campus to get booster shots before the spring term," Ambar said. All students, faculty and staff will be required to get booster shots by Feb. 18, which marks the start of the spring semester. For its final days before the holiday break, Oberlin College closed its dining halls and made meals grab-and-go. That will continue through winter term. And despite reports to the contrary, Ambar said the college's masking policy has not relaxed and will remain in place. Places where mask discipline has slipped are also where multiple cases of COVID-19 have cropped up, she said. Students who return to campus in the first part of 2022 — whether for winter or spring term — will be tested for the virus, according to Ambar's announcement. "We're also adding capacity for voluntary walk-in COVID testing this winter and spring," she said. "So those of you who have concerns, you'll have a more convenient testing opportunity available to you." Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.