Monitoring the Coronavirus

FAQ for Students Return To Campus - Fall Term 2020

 

SANITIZING AND SAFETY

Will everyone be required to wear masks?

• Our Austin College community commits to wearing a face covering inside buildings. Face coverings will be worn outside when physical distancing is not possible.
• Approved visitors, contractors, and invited guests are required to wear face coverings indoors, and outside when physical distancing is not possible.
• Masks are provided upon request.
• Watch the Campus Safety Video.

 

 How will the mask requirement be enforced on campus?  Updated 7/22

• The health and safety of our community depends on everyone following health and safety protocols at all times including: wearing a face covering, washing hands frequently, practicing social distancing of at least 6 feet.
• A student’s failure to wear a mask while inside buildings or while outside when social distancing is not possible 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 by either their professor or staff. If the student continues to fail to comply with the College health and safety protocols, they may experience disciplinary action or may be dropped from the class.

 

How will social spaces be managed on campus for safety?

• 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.

 

What cleaning protocols are in place?

• 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 upon your return, as ARAMARK has added more staff to specifically sanitize particular spaces like residence halls, 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.

 

Will I need to quarantine before or after I return to campus?  Updated 7/22 

• Students are encouraged to limit travel and activity two weeks before arriving on campus.
• Remember to do your daily health self-assessment.
• The success of the fall semester on campus is in our hands. We share the responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe.

 

How will dining services be kept safe?  Updated 7/22

• To facilitate social 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.
• 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.

 

ACADEMICS

What is the planned academic schedule for Fall Term 2020?  Updated 7/22

• Classes will begin on Tuesday, August 25.
• Fall Break begins 8 a.m. on October 9. Classes resume Monday, October 12.
• Classes will end Friday, November 20 at 5 p.m. and students may leave campus for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
•  Students are not required to return to campus after the Thanksgiving break, (November 23 through November 27) in order to curb possible spread of the coronavirus.
• The remaining week of instruction (November 30 through December 4) and final exams (December 7 through December 11) will take place in synchronous remote sessions.
• The campus will remain open, including campus housing and dining services, for those needing to return to campus to complete the semester.

 

Will in-person classes be offered this fall?

• Yes, classes will begin on campus as scheduled on Tuesday, August 25.
• Faculty have designed each of their courses to be offered in-person and synchronously remote. This high-flex hybrid learning provides students with the opportunity to experience an educationally comparable experience within the in-person and synchronous remote formats. Most classes will meet in person on a regular basis but will have remote components due to health accommodations or classroom capacity constraints.

 

Are all students required to return to campus in the fall? 

• The campus will be open, sanitized, and safe for all students. Students may opt to learn remotely for Fall Term 2020 semester by attending synchronous remote classes.

 

How do I opt to learn remotely by attending synchronously remote classes for the fall?  Updated 7/27

• Students may opt to learn fully synchronously remote for the Fall Term 2020, either off campus or on campus, by filling out this Learning Commitment Form.

 

How will students participating in face-to-face classes maintain social distance and cleanliness guidelines?

• Each classroom will be assigned a COVID classroom capacity limit in line with CDC, state, and federal guidelines.
• Some course sessions may be divided into small “teams” of students to meet in-person with the instructor for certain class sessions, and participate in the class via synchronous remote learning on the other days.
• The synchronous virtual platform enables professors to meet the physical distancing classroom requirements and supports students who may be unable to attend class.
• In order to facilitate social distancing, classes will end 5 minutes early to allow for transition and cleaning of equipment and spaces.

 

How do I get my textbooks for class?  Updated 7/22

• All students are encouraged to purchase their textbooks online at Follett store website. Books can be shipped to your address or picked up curbside on campus.
• Keep your Follett order number available to identify your textbooks when using curbside pickup.
• On campus, The Bookstore capacity is limited to 10 customers at a time; entering through the interior doors and exiting through the exterior doors.
• If shopping on campus, students should bring their schedules and a runner will collect their needed textbooks and bring to the counter.
• The store will be closed off except for the area in front of the registers.
• If shopping on campus, there may be a lengthy wait. Again, shopping online for shipping or curbside pick up is recommended.

 

HEALTH

Are students required to be tested for COVID-19 before arriving on campus? 

• In accordance with CDC guidance, the College will not be requiring testing prior to the return to campus in August. Timeliness, availability, and practical reliability to administer more than 1200 tests for move in are also constraints. Students and roommates who want to be tested for COVID-19 before returning may certainly do so as they desire. But, everyone is expected to frequently self-assess their health for symptoms associated with COVID-19. For more information.

 

Will I need to quarantine before or after I return to campus? Updated 7/22

• Students are encouraged to limit travel and activity two weeks before arriving on campus.
• Remember to do your daily health self-assessment.
• The success of the fall semester on campus is in our hands. We share the responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe.
• Students may leave campus for work, necessary shopping, and to keep doctor and dentist appointments.

 

If a student becomes ill at any time after arriving back to campus, what do they do? 

• If a student becomes ill, either with symptoms associated with COVID-19 or other ailments, they should contact Health Services by emailing roowellness@austincollege.edu or call 903.813.2247.
• 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 can assist a student with an emergency; Campus Police are available at all times. Updated 7/29
• The Director of Health Services and the Vice President for Student Affairs will coordinate a response for major situations as needed. Updated 7/29
• 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 furthest 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. Updated 7/22

 

Am I excused from class if I am sick?

• 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.”

 

STUDENT LIFE

When will the campus open for move-in?

• Austin College will begin a “rolling” return-to-campus schedule beginning on Tuesday, August 18 and continuing through Monday, August 24.
• Please go to Campus Life for important details and to schedule your move-in time and date.
• Upon your arrival to campus you will receive a personal welcome pack that includes a face covering and other useful items.
• You’ll be expected to download the NEW Austin College mobile app for enhanced engagement.
• All communication about housing should go to campushousing@austincollege.edu.

 

Will I have access to campus facilities and services?  Updated 7/27

• Students who are learning on campus, either face to face or remotely, will have access to facilities and services (as available) during Fall Term 2020. 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. Details will be provided upon arrival in the fall.
• 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.

 

How will dining services work?  Updated 7/22

• The Kangaroo Coffee Shop and Hopper Store are open for summer hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hours will be extended once students arrive on campus.
• The Dining Hall will open for service on August 18, with regular hours throughout the week 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The Dining Hall will serve meals through the end of finals week. The scope of service after Thanksgiving will be set by demand.
• To facilitate social 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.
• We will have disposable to-go boxes available for students along with individually packaged silverware and condiments. Updated 7/29  
• The Pouch Club will be open this fall and with to-go options available. Updated 7/29
• 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.

How will groups or organizations meet? Updated 7/29

• 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 of 100 or more people are prohibited.

 

What about gathering off campus? Updated 7/29 

• Austin College will not formally approve or conduct off-campus gatherings this fall.
• 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.

 

TUITION AND FEES

What about tuition, fees, and meal plans?  Updated 7/27

• Regardless of how each student experiences the hybrid hyflex learning this fall, the tuition charges for the 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 electing remote-only learning for Fall Term 2020, will retain any academic merit scholarships, institutional scholarships, outside scholarships and all eligible federal and state grants for the fall semester. 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 fall charges will be sent beginning August 10.
• The College will charge full room and board costs for those living in assigned residences on campus.
• If the need should arise, credits and refunds will be provided in accordance with College’s established schedule.

Do I get to keep my Work Study job?  Updated 7/30

• Students who are living and learning remotely are not eligible for Work Study employment.
• Students who live on campus and are learning in person or remotely are eligible for Work Study employment.
• Approved commuters to campus who are learning in person are eligible for Work Study employment.