We are preparing for Spring 2022!

For the past two years, the St. Edward’s community has worked diligently to protect our campus during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is our goal to continue to deliver the best educational and engagement experiences, campus life, and support to our students, faculty and staff that are aligned with the highest levels of health and safety. We will continue to take precautionary measures to quickly adapt to the changing pandemic conditions.

Looking ahead to Spring 2022, we anticipate the semester will continue much like the fall with in-person classes, events and programming that allow for a more traditional campus experience.

Update: Plans for Spring 2022 In-Person and On-Campus

In response to the health and safety of our campus, continued monitoring of Covid-19 and emergence of the omicron variant in Austin and Travis County, and Austin Public Health moving to Stage 5, we have updated the temporary modifications and plans for the Spring 2022 semester to continue to provide a safe on-campus, in-person experience.

Temporary Modifications

(Updated January 3, 2022)

  1. Face coverings must be worn by both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in all indoor public spaces on campus.
  2. Indoor events, meetings, classes and all other indoor activities are limited to 40 people or may be held virtually.
    • Certain spaces, such as RAC, Theatre, Jones Auditorium, Mabee Ballrooms and Carter Auditorium may have allowances for events greater than 40 people. Event size limits are in 25Live and a seating plan must be submitted for approval. 
  3. Campus dining. Indoor dining is allowed in the dining venues and indoor common areas where food is permitted. Eating in classrooms is not permitted.
  4. Domestic and international travel will be allowed on a case-by-case basis with appropriate Cabinet member approval.
  5. Flexibility for individual courses is reinstated. While Austin Public Health is above Stage 3, faculty may move classes online up to once per week, with additional adjustments allowed under certain circumstances.

Continued Safety Layers

  1. Vaccine documentation or approved exemption for all students, faculty and staff.  Documentation of boosters will not be required at this time. 
  2. Daily TopperSafe screening will continue all semester for all students, faculty, staff and visitors coming to campus. Any member of the campus community hosting a class or in-person meeting/activity may request to see the badges of all in attendance.
  3. Baseline testing will be required before January 10 for residential students who have not submitted documentation of full vaccination. 
  4. Weekly asymptomatic testing is still required through May 2022 for all students, faculty and staff visiting campus who have not submitted documentation of full vaccination.
    1. Students who have not submitted an approved vaccination record or exemption will be assessed a $500 testing fee. 
    2. Testing will be rapid antigen testing, conducted at the Health and Counseling Center. 
  5. Isolation and quarantine case management will be limited to residential students. Commuter students and employees will manage their own cases. Contact tracing will not be done by the university.
  6. Residence halls will operate at reduced occupancy with individual rooms and no more than two residents sharing a restroom.
  7. Guest policy will allow residents to host SEU guests (no external visitors) in their campus residence without limit.

Discontinued Modifications

  1. Event food and beverage service restrictions removed. There are no longer restrictions on food and beverage service at university events, including the requirement that food and beverages be individually contained. (Updated 12/6/2021)
  2. Outdoor events, meetings, classes and all other outdoor activities no longer have Covid-19 related occupancy limits. Masking for these gatherings is recommended. (Updated 9/29/21)

Please note that we will re-assess all modifications and protocols as we continue to gain more data about cases in the Austin community and recommendations from the CDC, APH and university medical advisors.

 

Submit Vaccine or Exemption Paperwork

Our Hilltoppers' diligence in completing daily TopperSafe screenings, wearing face coverings indoors, and submitting vaccination documentation, all contributed to the low number of cases in our campus community.

All students, faculty and staff are required to submit their vaccine documentation or approved, eligible exemption as outlined in the university's Covid-19 Vaccination Policy.

Submit your Vaccination Documentation or Exemption

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Policies and Protocols

 

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. SEU 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.

Updated January 6, 2022