Monitoring the Coronavirus

Updated: October 21, 2021

Information on COVID PCR testing data, active cases and recoveries are provided in the Austin College COVID Dashboard. this information will be updated weekly on Fridays, beginning September 10.

The positivity rate of our community, along with vaccination status and area health conditions, will determine how we commit to conduct ourselves on campus this fall. We will be responsive to the rapidly changing dynamics and provide updates on health and safety protocols as needed.

AC MOBILE APP
Students, please download the AC Mobile App to access campus information and important updates.

Information for Campus Visitors

Submit Your Vaccine Record

Please direct inquiries to vicepresident@austincollege.edu.

Mobile App | Visitor Info | Resources | COVID Dashboard | Submit Your Vaccine Record

Expectations for Fall Term 2021

Masks are required indoors for everyone in classrooms and in all buildings across campus.
The vaccine is strongly encouraged but it is not required. Vaccinations will be offered on campus throughout the fall.
Guests and visitors will need to wear masks in indoor spaces. Buildings remain card-access only. Guests and visitors who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks at all times.
Academic instruction will be offered in person and on campus. Students who become ill for any reason will work directly with their professors to make up any instruction, assignments, or labs.
Routine COVID-19 PCR testing for all students, faculty, and staff are expected to continue through the fall semester to assist in monitoring conditions that have the potential to change rapidly. Individuals are notified about once a month when it is their turn for testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

ROUTINE COVID-19 PCR TESTING

Will the campus population be tested routinely?

Routine COVID-19 PCR testing for all students, faculty, and staff will be conducted this fall. Individuals will receive an email directly about once a month on when and where to be tested.

We are fortunate to have PCR testing right on campus, but if you prefer a doctor’s test off campus, get approval from Health Services or Human Resources first and submit your results to health@austincollege.edu following the test. Only COVID-19 PCR tests administered by an authorized agent qualify.

Can anyone be tested on campus?

Are there costs for COVID-19 testing?

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.

If I test positive, what happens?

Students will need to contact Health Services, regardless of whether you are vaccinated or showing symptoms. You may contact by phone or email.
Faculty and staff will need to contact Human Resources regardless of whether you are vaccinated or showing symptoms. You may contact by phone or email.
All health information is kept strictly confidential.
Isolation and quarantine protocols will vary pending the individual’s vaccination and symptomatic status and will be discussed on a confidential, individual basis.
If you must miss class or work for any reason, please contact your professor or your supervisor.

If I have close contact with a test-positive, what happens?

Monitor your symptoms. If you are sick, please report your symptoms and take appropriate action as determined by Health Services (students) or Human Resources (employees).
If you are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, you may report to work or to class. Please monitor for symptoms.
If you are asymptomatic and not fully vaccinated, contact Health Services (students) or Human Resources (employees).

MASKING

Are masks required indoors beginning August 8?

Will visitors need to wear a mask?

Beginning August 8, visitors will need to wear a mask indoors on campus.
We encourage visitors who have not been vaccinated to wear a mask at all times while on campus, whether indoors or outdoors.
There may be specific situations or particular locations where masks are required at all times. Visitor hosts will inform their guests of any health or safety protocols.
Buildings will remain card-access only, and visitors will need to check in with their host for access.

VACCINE & DAILY HEALTH SCREENS

Is the COVID-19 vaccine required on the Austin College campus?

Is the Daily Health Screen required?

Is the vaccine available on campus for students, faculty, and staff?

TRAVEL

Domestic Travel

International Travel

ACADEMICS

How will courses be delivered this fall?

Courses will be delivered face-to-face, with the expectation that students will be physically present in the classroom for all class sessions.
The video capture of course sessions, which was instituted to address COVID contingencies, will no longer occur. As has always been the case, exceptions due to extenuating circumstances can be made by your individual faculty.
Students who seek accommodations or technology-facilitated adaptations to address documented learning style differences or disabilities should connect with the Austin College’s Academic Skills Center at 903.813.2454.
Students who are sick or need to miss class for any reason should contact their professors directly.

STUDENT LIFE & DINING SERVICES

How will dining services be kept safe?

Capacity limits will be in place to facilitate physical distancing.
The dining hall will be closed for one hour between meal times in the afternoon to allow time for the surfaces to be sanitized.
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.

Are visitors allowed in the dining hall?

If I don’t have a meal plan, can I pay cash in the dining hall?

May I bring reusable food containers to the Dining Hall?

How will groups or organizations meet?

What about gathering off campus?

Austin College will not formally approve or conduct off-campus gatherings during the first two weeks of the fall semester. The College will reevaluate this based on positivity rates in the community at that time to see if it needs to be extended further into the 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 health and safety guidelines while in informal/non-approved activities off campus and not under the College’s purview.

ATHLETICS

What is the status of 'Roo Athletic teams?

Will spectators be allowed at games?

QUARANTINE and ISOLATION Definitions

Isolation

Quarantine

Close Contact

A close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of a test-positive 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, if not fully vaccinated..
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.

Monitoring the Coronavirus

Expectations for Fall Term 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

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