COVID-19 CONTAINMENT METHODS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON AND THE PAC-12 UNIVERSITIES

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Date

2022

Authors

Small, Hannah

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Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

The development and implementation of the COVID-19 containment methods at Institutions of Higher Education has not yet been widely researched. This thesis aims to document the University of Oregon and PAC-12 universities approached COVID-19 containment, how the containment methods at the University of Oregon were developed, and what lesson can be learned from this pandemic to better prepare IHEs for the next pandemic or public health emergency. Four COVID-19 containment methods utilized at the University of Oregon are analyzed to. Understand the implementation and development. Each containment method is separated into two timeframes and which were then analyzed to establish any changes over the progression of the pandemic. In addition to the University of Oregon, this thesis will explore a single containment method utilized at the each of the universities within the PAC-12. This research was done by using the Wayback Machine and interviews. This thesis will explore how external factors impacted the US COVID-19 response and the response within Institutions of Higher Education. By understanding the factors that influenced pandemic response, we can better prepare for the next pandemic or public health crisis. Throughout this thesis I found that there is a recurring theme that the definition of preparedness needs to be reevaluated. In relation to IHEs I believe there is no single definition that can encapsulate preparedness. Each IHE is influenced by different external factors, and therefore needs to create preparedness plans that speak to their institutional needs. However, it also became clear through this research that IHEs need to continue to maintain public health preparedness even after the COVID-19 pandemic ends; being proactive instead of reactive. These findings are important because it is likely there will be public health emergencies and pandemics after COVID-19, so learning from the lessons of the past few years can better prepare IHEs for the next one.

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Keywords

COVID-19, Containment, Institutions of Higher Education, PAC-12, Pandemic preparedness

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