New York, NY – March 24, 2020

Contact:
Veronica L. Almeida
National President
President@omegaphibeta.org

A few days ago, the National Council of Officers sent an official statement about the COVID-19 and OPBSI’s response to the pandemic. We are seeing a huge volume of universities/colleges shutting down campuses across the nation and switching courses to online. With these abrupt closings increasing by the days many of our sisters who live on campuses may be displaced. Upon our research we found that U-Haul is offering 30 days of free Self-Storage to students who need to move due to Coronavirus. There may be limited availability in your area, so act quickly. Visit uhaul.com/storage to find a nearby location.

We have listed below some resources and official statements from credible sources:

Center for Infectious  Disease Research and Policy:

• COVID-19 Tools (fact sheets, videos, training) 
• COVID-19 Effects on the Economy – Supply Chain Issues
• Podcasts and Webinars on COVID-19
• Maps & Visuals on the COVID-19 

Regarding NMEP: OPBSI’s NMEP crisis management team is the National President, Executive Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Membership.

• Continue to include your MC, RVP, VPM and EVPO in all communications with your university or college. 
• Community service requirement for NMEP is cancelled until further notice. 
• No New Member Presentations until further notice. 
• Please place your crossing packages. We cannot guarantee that you will receive the crossing package in time although we can get a head start on getting the proper items. 
• Ensure we are communicating everything to our NMEP crisis management team
• NMEP restrictions from school admin should be taken serious, communicate with your MC and VPM to develop a plan. We will take this on a case by case situation currently. Although please take health precautions as directed. 
• Out of country restrictions: 
  1. If you have been out of the country, you cannot attend in-person MES for at least two weeks from time of arrival. We ask that sisters take this serious and be mindful of your interactions. This also applied to PM members, who will not be able to attend in person MES for 2 weeks.
  2. Alumnae NMEP: IF your state has declared a state of emergency,  placed bands on traveling, set limitations, etc you are to notify your MC, VPM and RVP ASAP. If your job, school, volunteer location and etc. have closed down due to any concerns, Please contact your MC, VPM and RVP ASAP to determine a plan. 

Regarding Operations: OPBSI’s Operations management team is the National President and Executive Vice President along with all Regional Vice Presidents. 

• OPBSI moving forward will suspend all face-to-face operations until further notice. 
• All OPBSI events are cancelled until further notice. 
• All of OPBSI operational activity is to be conducted virtually until further notice.

For the next THREE weeks we are strongly recommending postponing any formal/official events even for areas (states and schools) that have not shut down.  More information will be shared in the upcoming days as we continue to monitor the nation’s and universities/colleges’ activities. Please keep in mind that your national leadership is making this a priority to ensure the safety of our sisters and prospective members.  National leadership will develop a plan to be incorporated for those who we’ve have to cross suddenly. At this time WE have had to make such decisions to cross our PM’s per school officials.