Ozark Christian College begins campus-wide quarantine, goes to on-line classes, fall sports canceled

A campus-wide quarantine at Ozark Christian College began today, according to a message sent from the college's executive vice president of administration, Damien Spikereit, to students and staff Wednesday.

The action was taken when the college's student population reached 10 percent who are either in isolation or under quarantine.

The text of the message is printed below:

To: OCC Residential Students and Personnel
From: Executive Vice President of Administration Damien Spikereit

In the first month of the semester at OCC, we’ve seen widespread cooperation with our COVID-19 guidelines. Thank you! We’re proud of your diligence and care for one another. 

Unfortunately, we’ve also seen concerning numbers as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Joplin and our campus. 

Currently, 10% of our residential student population is in quarantine or isolation. In order to not overwhelm our quarantine and isolation capacity, and so that we can remain on campus for the rest of the semester, Ozark Christian College has made two difficult decisions.

First, OCC will institute a one-week, campus-wide self-quarantine for students, effective Saturday, September 12 through Saturday, September 19. 

During this one-week period, OCC classes and chapel services will be held online. The OCC offices, bookstore, and library will remain open, but the Student Center, MPB/Fitness Center, and Missions Building and Chapel lobbies will be closed. 

Students will be permitted to work on or off campus, but they will be asked to stay in their dorm rooms as much as possible or to go home for the one-week period. 

Classes will still be held in person for the remainder of this week, Thursday and Friday, September 10-11. More details about the self-quarantine are outlined below.

Second, OCC has made the difficult decision to suspend our fall sports for this semester. This cancellation includes men’s and women’s cross country, men’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. 

At this time, no decision has been made regarding our winter sports (men’s and women’s basketball). While we’re disappointed for our student-athletes, we’re proud of how our Ambassadors represent Christ, even in adversity. 

We’re grateful that our fall sports coaches will remain employed by the college and stay connected to our student-athletes, encouraging and shaping them as they pursue Christ (1 Tim 4:8).

The goal of these decisions is to control our quarantine and isolation capacity and especially to preserve our residential classes this fall. At the end of this week, OCC leadership will evaluate our campus situation to determine any possible next steps. 

Now more than ever, it’s crucial that you wear your masks, wash your hands, and watch your distance from each other. Please continue to take these precautions seriously for your health and the benefit of our entire community. And as always, if you feel sick, stay in your room and email health@occ.edu immediately.

Though we’re sorry to deliver disappointing news, we will continue to do all we can to guard our mission: training men and women for Christian service. 

Thank you again for your diligence in following these precautions as we work together to keep our campus open. We’re proud of your Christlike attitude and service mindset in all things. 

As President Proctor has reminded our faculty and staff, “Three things: number one, God is still watching over us. 

Number two, he is working even in this for our good. (Remember the promise of Galatians 6:9, ‘Let us not grow weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’) 

And number three, he still hears and answers prayers. So let’s all ask the Lord to lead us, like a shepherd, safely through.” We love you all, and we’re praying for you.

In Christ,

Damien Spikereit
Executive Vice President of Administration