Healthy Hilltop
University Covid-19 Plans for Fall 2022
Throughout the pandemic, Hilltoppers have worked together to maintain the health and safety of our campus community and all those on our campus. St. Edward’s continues to encourage personal responsibility to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19. We will continue to evolve our safety guidelines as necessary for us to continue to maintain a safe and caring learning environment.
Here's what you need to know for our return to campus.
Vaccination Requirement
St. Edward’s will continue to require that all faculty, staff and students be fully up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccinations – or have an approved exemption on file. Everyone must ensure they have submitted their Covid-19 vaccination paperwork.
If you have previously submitted proof of vaccination or already have an approved exemption on file with the university, you do not need to submit that information again. While we encourage everyone to remain up-to-date for Covid boosters, we only require proof of vaccination for the primary series.
For questions concerning the vaccination or health insurance requirements please contact Isabel Evans at the Health and Counseling Center at 512-448-8538 or isabelhe@stedwards.edu.
Masks
Mask wearing is optional in all indoor and outdoor spaces, but masks will be required when visiting the Health and Counseling Center. We ask that everyone be considerate of campus community members who may still choose to wear masks or may not be comfortable around others who are not wearing masks.
Please note: Individuals may not independently require masks for campus events, gatherings or courses.
Covid-related Student Concerns
Students who are experiencing academic or other concerns due to Covid-19 are encouraged to complete a Student of Concern form.
Students experiencing illness can use the Get Well Meal Order Form to order a meal for pick-up at the Get Well Meal pick-up table located next to the Global Station at the Hunt Hall Cafe. Student meal plans will be charged by Bon Appetit for the meal selected. Please note that orders require a minimum of 4 hours to be received, prepared, and packaged for pick-up, and any orders placed less than 4 hours prior to the selected pick-up time will not be accepted. For any questions about Get Well Meals, please contact the General Manager of Bon Appetit, Elvin Lubrin at elvin.lubrin@cafebonappetit.com or (737) 414-1265.
Covid-19 Testing and Isolation Guidance
What if I test positive for Covid-19 or are sick and suspect I have Covid-19?
The Centers for Disease control recommends that you should isolate yourself from others when you have Covid-19 and do the following:
- Isolate yourself if you are sick and suspect that you have Covid-19, but do not yet have test results.
- If you had no symptoms, you can end isolation after day 5
- (Note: Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested)
- If you have (or had) symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5 if you are fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and/or your other symptoms have improved.
- A high-quality mask should be worn when outside of isolation through day 10.
- Avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from Covid-19 until at least day 11.
- The full CDC recommendations for isolation and when to end it can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.
What if I am exposed to Covid-19?
- The Centers for Disease Control no longer recommends quarantining if you are exposed and have no symptoms, regardless of vaccination status.
- As soon as you find out you are exposed, you should wear a high-quality mask any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in public for up to 10 days after you have been exposed.
- (Note: Day 1 is the first full day following the last exposure)
- Watch for symptoms of Covid-19.
- If symptoms develop, you should follow the isolation guidelines.
- If possible, get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure.
- The CDC recommendations for exposure can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposed.html
Where can I find testing options in Austin?
Austin Public Health has a variety of testing resources available on their website. Additionally, free test kits are also available from the federal government at: https://special.usps.com/testkits (note that it may take 7-12 days to receive the kits, and there is a limit of 4 per household).
I'm feeling sick or I think I may have been exposed to Covid-19. Where can I get tested on campus?
Health services are available for students, staff and faculty Monday - Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Health & Counseling Center provided through our partnership with Ascension.
Students, faculty, and staff who are sick, experiencing Covid-19 symptoms can call the HCC at (512) 324-4940 or make an online appointment. This will be charged through your insurance carrier; typically, there is no charge to you for this testing.
Health and Counseling Services
Are students required to have health insurance?
Student wellbeing is essential for success. This statement is even more critical during a pandemic. As such, the university will continue to require that all registered students (enrolled in 6 or more hours) have health insurance. Students are automatically enrolled in the university's health insurance unless they successfully complete the waiver process documenting a private healthcare plan. Learn more about SHIP.
What health and counseling services are provided on campus?
Health Services
Partnering with Ascension Medical Group Seton (AMG), the HCC provides convenient, affordable and quality health care. Services include a range of medical, medication management and nutrition services. Currently enrolled students, faculty and staff are all eligible to receive care through HCC’s Health Services. Learn more.
Counseling Services
Counseling services will prioritize crisis availability, remote support and drop-in workshops at no cost to students. A St. Edward’s clinical case manager will connect students to specialty services in Austin, as needed. Licensed counselors will be available 24/7/365 to provide immediate support for student concerns and refer any student who needs regular counseling to the HCC. Call the Hilltopper Helpline at 833-434-1217. Please visit the Health & Counseling Center for the most up-to-date information.
The St. Edward’s University Covid-19 planning and response is led by a team of cross-campus leadership with guidance from a panel of local, regional and national medical advisors and organizations.
The university continues to closely monitor local conditions and recommendations from the CDC, APH and our medical advisors, and uses this guidance to determine our level of operations for classes, student housing, campus events and activities, and any other adjustments to protect the health and safety of our campus community. Any significant adjustments in university health and safety protocols or resources will be clearly communicated to our entire community.
Updated November 15, 2022