Your Top 5
As we face these unprecedented challenges related to Covid-19 together, please know that the St. Edward’s University community is committed to giving you the support that you need. We curated this quick list (called Your Top 5) just for you. These are the key things you need to know (and do) this month to help you plan for the fall semester.
Register for the Academic Webinar
Your professors are excited to welcome you to the classroom this fall! Faculty excel at teaching, and they have spent the summer planning for personalized and engaging courses. Register for the Academic Experience webinar on Wednesday, July 29 at 5:30 p.m. CST to hear from processors about the fall academic experience.
Watch Our Housing Webinar
We are looking forward to seeing students back on campus in a few short weeks. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch last week's webinar detailing everything you need to know about on-campus housing for 2020–2021. If you have questions, visit Healthy Hilltop to find more information on how campus is adapting to the new norm.
Sign Up to Move In to On-Campus Housing
Sign-ups for a date and time to move-in to your residential community have now expired, if you have any questions please contact Residence Life where they will assign you a move-in time. Learn more about the move-in process.
3 Steps for a Safe Return to Campus
Students and employees are being asked to complete three steps before returning to campus in August. Learn more about online Covid-19 training, baseline Covid-19 testing and daily symptom checking. All of these things are critical to keeping you and our hilltop community safe and healthy.
Introducing our New Podcast
We’re bringing SEU to You, a new mini-podcast, in which professors give you a sneak peek into their thinking for their classes. Even if your exact courses aren’t highlighted, this should give you an idea of what remote and in-person instruction will be like in the fall. We encourage you to follow along.
BONUS: Tuition Insurance
Tuition insurance now covers claims for withdrawal due to Covid-19. If interested in purchasing protection, visit GradGuard. We recommend purchasing the Tuition Protection Plan, especially in light of Covid-19. This expands the scope of our refund policy by offering reimbursement for tuition and other required fees due to covered withdrawals. The deadline to purchase is Aug. 23.
Rise Up: A Vigil for Racial Justice and Call for Solidarity
St. Edward’s University embraces the Black Lives Matter movement and stands in solidarity with those seeking justice. The university recently held a vigil, Rise Up, to memorialize George Floyd and other members of the Black community who have been unjustly killed by police officers. If you were unable to attend, or you participated and wish to view again, see the recording.
Student Resources
Summer 2020 Updates Due to Covid-19
Summer Housing
Housing is closed for students and summer conference use. As needed, emergency housing extensions have been provided on a case-by-case basis.
Summer Experiential Learning
All experiential learning classes and internships will take place remotely. Summer for-credit internships will be limited. If you are planning a for-credit internship with an organization other than the university, please work with your faculty member to communicate the remote requirements to your offsite supervisor.
Summer Study Abroad and Other Travel
All study abroad programs have been canceled for the summer, including service projects and mission trips.
Summer Orientation for New Undergraduates
In an effort to limit personal interactions on campus and prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will offer a series of online orientations during the summer. Orientation leaders should work with their supervisor to continue to plan for summer orientation duties.
Health and Counseling Center
While the HCC building will remain closed during the summer, mental and physical health services are still available remotely to students and details are updated on the HCC webpages. Please call 512-448-8538 if you would like to be connected to services, or if you have questions. Telemedicine and Virtual Visit are available through the HealthiestYou mobile app. Mental health services are available based on student need and appropriate care options.
Title IX and Reporting Sexual Misconduct
Please remember you can report sexual misconduct concerns and request support by going to myHilltop Title IX Task Center and completing the Student Concern Form or in an emergency, call our University Police (UPD) anytime at 512-448-8444. You can also access the HCC for support as instructed above and after hours counseling by calling UPD and they will connect you to our on-call counselor. We may be working and learning in a remote setting, but we continue the good work to combat sexual misconduct no matter where we are!
Academic Tools and Support Services
Billing and Financial Aid
Campus Resources
Course Registration and Grades
Current Student Events
Diversity and Inclusion
Getting Involved
Health and Safety
Policies and Regulations
Technology Resources
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Bi-Weekly Updates
May 29, 2020
As a Holy Cross institution, we are fully committed to the safety of all students, faculty and staff. We review all complaints of sex and gender harassment and violence, do our very best to respect survivor wishes and needs, investigate thoroughly, and provide resources and remedies. Below is a list of the updates that have been underway regarding concerns of sexual misconduct and our community. You can learn more about our process and resources on our Title IX webpage.
- Our student workgroup has led the charge on several initiatives including the implementation of the SafeWalk SEU initiative and the enhancement of communication/reporting through the new Title IX/Sexual Misconduct myHilltop Task! Please be sure to check out these resources!
- We plan to launch a standing student advisory board, who will help the Title IX Coordinator ensure that student feedback and perspectives inform ongoing and future work of the university.
- With the help of the Health and Counseling Center and It’s on Us, the university has created a Survivor Support Group where students can feel like they have a safe place to heal and can talk about shared experiences in a confidential environment.
- The university has accepted, with minor edits, an amendment to the Student Code of Conduct.
- You are not alone. SAFE is an Austin nonprofit dedicated to stopping abuse for everyone. During this period of shelter-in-place, SAFE knows that home is not a safe place for everyone. If you are or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call or text 911. If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing violence or abuse, please call, chat or text the 24/7, free & confidential SAFEline. Our SAFEline advocates can help you assess the level of danger, create a safety plan, discuss ways to help someone you know, or just talk.
- This past December, we engaged a consultant specializing in Title IX following student concerns expressed on Twitter about the University’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations. Since then, DeDe Church & Associates has shared their final report. Please know that we are working towards developing an implementation plan for the recommendations set forth in this report.
www.safeaustin.org | 24-hr SAFEline - Call: 512.267.SAFE (7233) | Text: 737.888.SAFE (7233) | SAFEline chat
Read Dr. Kirkpatrick’s full letter to the community about DeDe Church & Associates final report. You can also check out the Student Workgroup final report on Box.