Updated: April 16, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.
Fall Term 2021 Opening Plans
Austin College intends to move forward with plans for in-person learning, living, and enjoying the full college experience in Fall Term 2021. Specific details about the safe return to campus will be shared by email when they are confirmed.
The College encourages eligible students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available. At this time, we are not making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory. We will continue to evaluate conditions as time progresses and as more information becomes available to us throughout the coming months.
In the meantime, Austin College will maintain the health and safety protocols already in place. We will continue to monitor and make decisions based on current information as the spring semester continues.
AC MOBILE APP
Students, please download the AC Mobile App to access campus information and important updates.
Please direct inquiries to vicepresident@austincollege.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the protection of our faculty, staff, students and surrounding community, Austin College remains committed to our COVID-19 safety protocols and policies based on CDC guidelines. This means we will continue to wear face coverings, complete daily health screens, socially distance, manage capacities in venues across campus, and limit visitors to campus.
Our protocols have been highly effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. Remaining vigilant is the best measure under our control for stopping the spread on our campus. In this way, we have the greatest opportunity to keep our campus open through the remainder of the Spring semester.
Thank you for your continued vigilance and support of each other’s health and the health of our community.
No. Austin College Health Services monitors for COVID vaccine availability in the area and notifies students regularly by email when vaccines become available. Check Texas Health and Human Services for updated COVID Vaccination eligibility in the state. Students should talk to their health care provider about health conditions that might make them eligible for an early vaccine. Regularly check the COVID page for the most current information regarding the vaccine and COVID cases on campus.
- The College began mandatory and random COVID-19 PCR testing on September 16.
- PCR testing on campus will continue through the spring and is offered only to current students and employees.
- Test results will be sent in 24-36 hours by email.
- Test results will also be sent directly to Austin College Health Services for confidential tracking and to help establish an immediate plan for treatment and isolation.
- Accurately and quickly identifying those who are carrying the virus allows the most effective means to reduce the spread of the virus.
- Although there is no cost to the tested individual, if insurance is available, the cost of the test will be borne by the insurance company (in the case of Austin College employees, the college picks up the cost of the test).
- There are no fees required at the time of testing.
- The testing agency will request information on your insurance provider for billing purposes. Whether you will be billed for any out of pocket costs will depend on your insurance provider and your coverage options.
- If you do not have insurance, COVID-19 testing will be provided at no cost to you.
- Professors will work with students to accommodate their testing times.
- Supervisors will accommodate scheduling for testing.
ACADEMICS
- Spring Term classes began February 3 and will end Friday, May 14 at 5:00 p.m.
- See the academic calendar for more details.
- The only change allowed to a student’s learning preference is to transition to remote learning from in-person learning. If you need to update your status to remote learning send an email to both registrar@austincollege.edu and studentlife@austincollege.edu. Indicate that you will be switching to remote learning for the remainder of the semester and if you plan to remain in on campus housing or leave campus to be fully remote, if applicable.
Austin College intends to move forward with plans for in-person learning, living, and enjoying the full college experience in Fall Term 2021. Specific details about the safe return to campus will be shared by email when they are confirmed.
STUDENT LIFE
- Students who are learning on campus, either face to face or remotely, will have access to facilities and services (as available) during Spring Term 2021. For safety and health reasons, there may be limited capacities, appointments, or scheduled times of availability depending on the facility or the type of service.
- Students who live on campus and choose remote learning will have access to campus facilities (as available) but will not have access to classrooms or labs.
- Students who opt for synchronous remote learning while living off campus will access remotely—by phone, Zoom, or tech-based access—services including but not limited to Writing Center, Career Services, Counseling Services, Health Services, Academic Skills Center, Abell Library, academic mentors, and professors.
- All diners must show a green or yellow Health Pass from the Daily Health Screen when entering the Dining Hall.
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For now, as we begin regular operations in the dining areas, we can only serve students, faculty, or staff (with a valid AC ID), who are on an all-access meal plan (5-day or 7-day) or who have purchased a block meal plan (block 15, 50, or 75). No one else will be allowed into or be served in the dining hall.
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We will not be accepting cash at the door of the dining hall. You will need to purchase a block meal plan directly from the Student Life Office, Suite 201 in Wright Campus Center. We plan to honor declining balance swipes from faculty and staff who have carry-over Hopper Dollars from prior semesters.
- We are moving to a cashless operation at the Kangaroo Coffee Company for snacks, coffee, sundries and convenience items as well as the Pouch Club; we will only accept Hopper Dollars and credit/debit cards at both locations. Hopper Dollars are part of the meal plan packages, and additional Hopper Dollars may be purchased at any time in the Food Service Office in Wright Campus Center, Room 117.
- Health and safety guidance is provided to sponsors and student leaders of all campus groups and organizations.
- All are expected to follow social distancing and sanitizing protocols, and are encouraged to limit capacity in meeting rooms, provide a virtual option, and meet outdoors when practical.
- Gatherings will be limited in order to make sure that all can socially distance and all participants must wear a face mask.
- Austin College will not formally approve or conduct off-campus gatherings during the Spring 2021 semester.
- To the extent the College is informed and has authority over a student or a group/organization, knowingly disregarding the stated health and safety protocols will be considered a violation of the Non-Academic Code of Student Conduct published in The Environment.
- The College will take all opportunities to educate students about complying with the Covid-19 guidelines while in informal/non-approved activities off campus and not under the College’s purview.
ATHLETICS
- The College is currently working in conjunction with the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, Southern Athletic Association, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, and Collegiate Water Polo Association on scheduling for all varsity sports for the spring semester in full compliance with NCAA recommendations and protocols.
- All sports are planning on beginning team activities in January, with competition currently scheduled to begin in January for winter sports and February for all other varsity programs. Schedules are tentative and subject to change.
- Currently Austin College is not allowing spectators, but this will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
- Please check acroos.com for any updates.
TUITION AND FEES
- Regardless of how each student experiences the hybrid learning, the tuition charges for each semester will remain the same for all enrolled, full-time students, given that students will have access to faculty, support services, and related campus facilities.
- Students living in assigned residences on campus will be responsible for all room charges and applicable charges for meal plans.
- Students electing remote-only learning may see adjustments on their student accounts regarding housing and meal plans. Once students complete their learning commitment forms, each student account is reviewed individually for financial aid, residence life, meal plans, and the business office, Adjustments to student accounts are being sent by email on an on-going basis.
- Students electing remote-only learning, will retain any academic merit scholarships, institutional scholarships, outside scholarships, and all eligible federal and state grants. Any Austin College Grants, ’Roo Grants, or Room Grants will be removed from your financial aid package. These grant awards support the comprehensive cost of tuition, housing, and meal plan. Adjustments to student accounts are being sent as changes warrant.
- If the need should arise, credits and refunds will be provided in accordance with the College's established schedule, and will be noted on your student account.
HEALTH
- Please visit the Visitor Information page.
- The Daily Health Screen is available on the Austin College Mobile App and online via browser.
- Based on answers to questions regarding symptoms and possible exposure, you will receive a Green, Yellow, or Red badge for the day with instructions.
- The Austin College Mobile App is available for IOS and Android devices. Links for download are available at the app store or the AC Mobile App webpage.
- Students may leave campus for work, necessary shopping, and to keep doctor and dentist appointments. All are asked to limit their opportunities for exposure to COVID-19.
- Do your daily health self-assessment using the AC Mobile APP.
- To successfully stay on campus for in-person classes, we share the responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe.
- If a student becomes ill, either with symptoms associated with COVID-19 or other ailments, they should contact Health Services by emailing health@austincollege.edu or calling 903.813.2247. Students may also go to the clinic in Adams Center during office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The Health Services clinic is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. As always, health and wellness support is accessible 24 hours a day through a variety of protocols, including Student Life staff-on-duty who can assist a student with an emergency; Campus Police are available at all times.
- The Director of Health Services and the Dean of Students will coordinate a response for major situations as needed.
- Austin College Health Services will assist students who need to be tested in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
- Housing on campus has been set aside to isolate or quarantine students as needed. The Health Services Director will direct the care of those students to assure their needs are met. On-campus spaces will be reserved for students whose permanent addresses are farthest away or have other issues. Whenever possible, the College will refer students to their homes for quarantine or isolation.
- Students in quarantine or isolation will be able to continue attending classes synchronously, remotely as soon as they are physically able.
- Students who become ill and need to move off campus to recover and quarantine will work with their professors to develop a remote learning plan that accommodates their needs.
- In order to discourage students from attending class while they may be sick, for the duration of the pandemic, students who are ill will be excused from class through the following procedures:
- Students must adhere to the College’s COVID health and wellness protocols for self-evaluation, follow-up, and quarantine as necessary.
- Untruthful claims about illness may be regarded as a violation of the Academic Integrity Code, which prohibits “falsification of academic records.”
QUARANTINE and ISOLATION
- Isolation is the separation of a symptomatic or test-positive individual from other people. This individual may have been assessed for COVID-19 by proper health care authorities, such as a personal physician, emergency room care, and authorized COVID-19 testing center.
- The College will verify and assign individuals to enter isolation and clear them to exit isolation.
- Quarantine is the separation of an individual who has had close contact with a test-positive case from other people. This individual has been assessed by proper health care authorities to have been exposed to COVID-19.
- The College will verify and assign individuals to enter quarantine and clear them to exit quarantine.
- A close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes with or without a mask. An infected (symptomatic or asymptomatic) person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19. Someone who is identified as a close contact would be required by Austin College Health Services to quarantine.
- What qualifies as close contact? For example, roommates, study group seated closely at one table, someone seated less than 6 feet away from a classmate, unmasked friends on an outdoor swing for a long conversation.
- What does NOT qualify as close contact? For example, passing in the hall, sitting across the classroom, a brief conversation while outdoors and masked, being in class or participating in activities where everyone is masked and practicing social distancing.
- Use the AC Mobile App by phone or by browser every day.
- If you have difficulty accessing your AC Mobile App, simply sign out and sign-back in.
- Contact the Help Desk for additional questions helpdesk@austincollege.edu or 903.813.2063 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Green means you are cleared for engaging in activities on campus.
- Yellow means you are not cleared to engage in activities on campus. However, you may enter the dining hall to pick up food for take-out, but you are not cleared to eat in the dining hall. Wear a mask at all times on campus and stay at least 6 feet apart from others.
- Red means you are not cleared to engage in activities on campus and must remain home or in your room. Wear a mask at all times and stay at least 6 feet apart from others.
- Health Services will clear you for in-person activities.
What are expectations of living situations – if my roommate or family member is in Quarantine, must I stay away from them?
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- Ideally yes, you should stay away from those in quarantine.
- Those in quarantine have reported close contact with someone who has the virus and may potentially spread the virus.
- Those in quarantine should take their temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms.
- They should stay away from others as much as possible.
- If unable to stay away from others, they must wear a mask and advise those around them to do so.
- While the use of a separate bathroom is ideal, it is not mandated. Always clean bathroom facilities before and after use.
- They must remain in Quarantine until cleared by Austin College Health Services.
What are expectations of living situations – if my roommate or family member is in Isolation, must I stay away from them?
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- Yes, those who are in Isolation are symptomatic and/or tested positive and are likely to spread the virus. They must stay in a specific sick room or in an area away from other people or animals, including pets.
- They should use a separate bathroom if available, Always clean bathroom facilities before and after use.
- They should stay away from others and wear a mask at all times.
- They must advise those around them to wear a mask at all times.
- They must remain in Isolation until cleared by Austin College Health Services.
- Yes, we have dedicated residential space and special campus facilities for those who need to be in Quarantine or in Isolation.
- We have also arranged with several local hotel providers for lodging and meals.
- We have several options that allow us to treat each case individually.
- Austin College staff care for those who are in Quarantine and in Isolation by providing support, and meals for those who are on a meal plan.
- We work with each student and family individually to determine the best course of action given their individual situation.
- In many situations, a student’s home situation is not conducive to Quarantine or Isolation.
- We have several options that allow us to treat each case individually.
- No, student workers are not allowed to report to work on campus if in Quarantine or in Isolation.
- Students complete a Daily Health Screen and receive a Green Health Pass that must be shown to supervisors daily before reporting to work on campus.
- Students should be prepared to show their Green Health Pass at any time.
- A Green Health Pass enables students to work on campus and be paid for their hours.
- EXCEPTION: If a student is in Quarantine or Isolation, and feels up to it, they may work remotely if desired and approved by the supervisor.
What about students who must “go home” for any reason – can they still be paid as a student worker?
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- If a student declares to the registrar to go remote, then they are no longer eligible to be employed.
- These students will not receive a Green Health Pass, due to opting for remote learning.
- EXCEPTION: If a student is in Quarantine or Isolation, and feels up to it, they may work remotely if desired and approved by the supervisor.
SANITIZING AND SAFETY
- Our Austin College community commits to wearing a face covering inside and outside of buildings.
- Approved visitors, contractors, and invited guests are required to wear face coverings while inside and outside of buildings.
- Masks are provided upon request.
- Studies show that not all masks confer the same level of protection against COVID-19. The CDC recommends surgical masks and multi-layer cloth masks as the best options.
- Unless specifically approved by your supervisor or coach, gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.
- Whenever you take your mask off, do not place it in a potentially contaminated area. Putting your mask in an unused bag will limit the contamination possible when taking off your mask.
- Wear your masks properly, covering your nose and your mouth. If you remove your mask to eat or drink, remember to put it back on right away.
- The health and safety of our community depend on everyone following health and safety protocols at all times, including wearing a face covering, washing hands frequently, and practicing social distancing of at least 6 feet.
- A student’s failure to wear a mask while inside and outside of buildings is considered a disruption of orderly conduct. In accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, published in The Environment, the student will receive a warning from either the professor or staff. If the student continues to fail to comply with the College health and safety protocols, the student may experience disciplinary action or may be dropped from the class.
- Capacity limits will be enforced in campus spaces such as classrooms, the dining hall, and other large meeting rooms.
- Furniture is arranged or marked to designate socially distanced seating.
- Instructors may choose to leave classroom doors open to reduce contact with the door handles.
- To manage traffic flow throughout campus, signage has been placed near building entrances and exits, up and down stairwells, restrooms, classrooms, and other common areas.
- Plexiglass shields and hand sanitizer dispensers have been added throughout campus.
- Aramark, our partner in housekeeping, sanitation, and dining service, continues to use the most effective cleaning solutions and tools to keep all common areas as safe as possible.
- You’ll notice high-frequency cleaning, as Aramark has added more staff to specifically sanitize particular spaces like residence halls, the library, and locker rooms.
- All members of the campus community are asked to assist in cleaning high-touch surfaces using the supplies that are provided.
- Additional staff will be hired to assist with sanitizing and rapid response to situations needing immediate attention.
- Students are encouraged to limit travel and activity before arriving on campus.
- For the first week of JanTerm and Spring term all classes will be held remotely to allow time for all students and employees to be tested and have results back before in-person classes resume.
- Remember to do your daily health self-assessment using the AC Mobile APP.
- To successfully remain on campus for in-person classes, we share the responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe.
- To facilitate physical distancing, capacity limits will be in place; distanced seating will be marked.
- To accommodate everyone during meal times, diners can be seated, with social distancing, in the dining room, the Moseley Room that’s adjacent to the dining room, and Mabee Hall on the second floor of Wright Campus Center.
- The dining hall will be closed for one hour between each meal time to allow time for the surfaces to be sanitized.
- Individually wrapped servings and condiments will be used.
- Although a full menu will be available daily, there will be no self-serve stations.
- Hand sanitizer stations are located at the entrance and throughout the dining hall. Everyone is encouraged to sanitize their hands often.
- Austin College and Aramark, our partners in food service, reserve the right to adjust the program as needed and in response to any guidance provided by governing agencies and/or the CDC.