Frequently Asked Questions

How will courses be taught for Spring 2022 and what will the academic experience look like?

The majority of undergraduate classes will meet in person. Please check the course schedule to confirm how your courses will be offered.

What technology do students need for courses?

To ensure the quality and consistency of technology-enabled instruction, students at St. Edward’s University are expected to have at a minimum a recent and up-to-date computer (laptop/desktop) capable of running software needed for classes, a webcam, a microphone, earphones, and sufficient internet access.  See the Minimum Technology Requirements maintained by the Office of Information Technology (OIT) at support.stedwards.edu for detailed specifications.

• Student Technology Discount Programs
  • St. Edward's students receive discounts on laptops, desktops, and software.  Go to support.stedwards.edu  to find out more about Software and Hardware Discounts.
• Student Technology Support Programs
  • Students who are unable to meet the minimum technology requirements should use the SEU Student of Concern/Conduct Form to contact the university for help.

Students can expect to continue to use Canvas, Google Apps, Zoom, Panopto, Hypothesis, Honorlock and other technology tools for their courses. Check with your instructors about which devices are expected or allowed in the classroom and which technologies will be used in your course.

Will there be academic support, tutoring and/or study groups available?

Students have access to a number of academic support services, including tutoring and supplemental instruction. The university provides free, 24/7 online tutoring by request and peer-led supplemental instruction is offered in the fall and spring semesters for select courses. The Library, Writing Center and Math Lab provide specialized assistance. Students are also welcome to connect with each other through Canvas and utilize areas on campus for small group meetings.

What academic support services are available and how do students get connected?

Students have access to a full range of academic support resources including success coaches, student disability services, career coaches, library services, student financial services, and the registrar's office. Services are available both in-person (while adhering to community standards) and virtually. Details on how to connect with each office are listed on their webpage (including how to set up an appointment, contact information, and on-campus location/hours).

What if students have an in-person or blended/hybrid class but can’t attend due to illness, quarantine, and/or isolation?

Please work directly with your professors to discuss ways to maintain your progress in their courses.

Will professors have office hours?

Yes. Professors may host office hours on campus or virtually via Zoom at their discretion.

Will online courses have required meeting times?

Online courses have two formats — synchronous and asynchronous. 

• Synchronous courses have required meeting days and times. 
• Asynchronous courses do not have required meeting times. 

Synchronous course meeting days and times can be found in Banner and in the course syllabus. Blended learning courses also will have course meeting days and times that can be found on Banner and in the course syllabus. All courses, regardless of instruction method, will prioritize student and faculty engagement and will take advantage of the best format for that particular class and discipline.

All courses, regardless of instruction method, will prioritize student and faculty engagement and will take advantage of the best format for that particular class and discipline.

Do blended/hybrid courses have in-person class meetings?

Yes. Students in a blended/hybrid class attend class in person at least once a week and for other class meetings attend via Zoom or complete online assignments. Instructors will communicate directly with students about when and where to meet.

Can I walk around campus?

Yes! You are able to walk or drive around campus but we ask that you follow the social distancing recommendations issued by Austin Public Health and the CDC to protect your health and the health of those around you.

Are you having campus tours?

We are offering a variety of virtual experiences as well as small-group, outdoor campus visits and tours to help you get the full picture of life at St. Edward's. Check out our Visit page for more information.

What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

• Quarantine: Is used to keep those exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms.
• Isolation: is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected.

When should I quarantine? 

If you were exposed to someone with Covid-19, the process for quarantine will be based on your vaccination status:

Individuals who are fully vaccinated or fully vaccinated and boosted:

If you have received your booster OR if you have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months OR if you have been fully vaccinated with the J&J vaccine within the last 2 months, please do the following:

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on day 5, if possible.
• If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.

Individuals who are unvaccinated or fully vaccinated but not boosted:

If you have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and not received a booster OR if you have been fully vaccinated with the J&J vaccine over 2 months ago and have not received a booster OR are unvaccinated, please do the following:

• Stay home for 5 days.
• After the 5-day period, continue to wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days.
• If you can’t quarantine, you must wear a mask for 10 days.
• Test on day 5 if possible.
• If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home

When should I isolate myself?

If you test positive for Covid-19, you should isolate, regardless of vaccination status by doing the following:

• Stay home for 5 days.
• After 5 days, if you have no symptoms or your symptoms are getting better, you can come out of isolation.
  • While you are not required to test to come out of isolation, if you are able to test, it is preferred to have a negative test. If you test positive, then please continue to isolate until you have a negative test, or reach day 10, with no symptoms on the 10th day) 
• Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
  • Double-masking or the use of a high-quality face covering, such as a KN-95 or similar is preferred. 
  • Note that face coverings are required indoors on campus.  
• If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

What is Asymptomatic Testing and who is required to participate in the weekly asymptomatic testing?

Asymptomatic testing is required of all students, faculty and staff who do not have documentation of full vaccination on file. The cost for this testing is covered by the university and free of charge to students and employees.

Populations who must test weekly include:

• Students who do not have documentation of full vaccination and attend in-person or blended classes.
   
• Employees, including staff, faculty student workers, and adjunct faculty, who do not have documentation of full vaccination and visit campus.

Community members who do not have a record of vaccination on file must test at the Health and Counseling Center to be in compliance with the weekly testing requirement. Testing performed at other facilities will not count toward the University’s asymptomatic testing requirement. Failure to complete required testing may impact student housing, enrollment status, or employment status.

Make an appointment for asymptomatic testing and select "SEU COVID Surveillance Testing." Appointments are available Monday-Friday during clinic operating hours.

Individuals may choose to submit documentation of full vaccination at any time. Once vaccine documentation is approved, individuals may discontinue asymptomatic testing.

Read more about SEU’s Covid-19 Asymptomatic Testing Requirement.

Can I opt out of weekly asymptomatic Covid-19 testing?

Individuals required to participate in weekly asymptomatic testing may not opt out of the testing unless they have been COVID-positive within the last two weeks.

Will I be notified of my results after each test? How quickly can I expect to receive my results?

For asymptomatic testing, we are using rapid testing through the Health and Counseling Center (HCC). You will generally receive results from your test within a few hours of taking it. 

What should I do if I test positive for Covid-19?

If you have tested positive for Covid-19:

• Isolate for at least 5 days from the date of the positive test; 
• If, after 5 days, you are symptom-free (including no fever for 24 hours), you can come out of isolation; 
  • Testing is recommended, but not required, to come out of isolation;
• For at least the next 5 days, you should follow strict mask-wearing when around others. 
  • Double-masking or use of a high-grade face covering, such as a KN-95 or similar mask is recommended. 
  • Note that masking is already required when indoors on campus 

Students

• Residential students who badge through the TopperSafe process will be contacted to ensure that they have needs such as food, trash, etc addressed during the isolation period.
• Commuter students and employees are to manage their own particular situations. 
• All students are to work directly with their Success Coach and professors to address academic needs. 
• If you are a student experiencing extreme financial hardship due to Covid-19, you may qualify for limited emergency funding. Please complete this form. 
• For all other concerns due to hardships you may be experiencing due to Covid-19, please complete the Student of Concern Form.

Employees

• Please badge through the TopperSafe badging process.
• Employees testing positive should notify their supervisor that they will be unable to be on campus.
• Employees that are asymptomatically positive or with limited symptoms may be able to work remotely until cleared by a healthcare professional for a return to campus.
• The university’s Human Resources team will be available to discuss leave options with employees to support their recovery as necessary.

If I’m fully vaccinated, do I still need to participate in the university's testing process?

Fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff are not required to participate in university asymptomatic testing. 

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. Where can I get tested for Covid-19 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. 

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).

Can I eat indoors in common public spaces around campus?

Indoor dining will be allowed in the dining venues and indoor common areas where food is permitted. Eating in classrooms is not permitted. 

Are students living off-campus required to get a meal plan?

All undergraduate students are required to purchase a meal plan. Undergraduate students living off campus are required to purchase the commuter meal plan. Learn more about the university offered meal plans. 

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 counseling and health services 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 has been redesigned to 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 that may be needed off campus.

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.

How is the university making decisions regarding Spring 2022 operations?

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.

Will the university have vaccine requirements for the Spring 2022 semester?

The safety and well-being of our St. Edward’s community is of the utmost importance. As we plan for increased on-campus capacity this semester and with expanded vaccine availability, the Covid-19 vaccination policy requires all eligible students, employees, and adjuncts to be vaccinated, with certain allowable exemptions.

Students and employees must submit a copy of their vaccine documentation or religious/medical exemption through the secure submission portal. 

Please note: Booster shots are not required at this time to be in compliance with the vaccine policy. While boosters are highly recommended and have been shown as an effective protection against Covid-19 and newly emerging variants, they are not required to be considered "fully vaccinated" at this time. If you have received your Covid booster, we encourage you to share that through the secure submission portal. 

How do I report my vaccine status to the university?

The university has established a confidential and secure process for employees and students to submit proof of vaccination once they have completed all doses of the vaccine. Please note, individuals will be required to upload a photo or PDF of their vaccine documentation. 

Acceptable documentation of full vaccination includes:

• The record of immunization from a health care provider or pharmacy; or
• A copy of the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card; or
• A copy of medical records documenting the vaccination; or
• A copy of immunization records from a public health, state, or tribal immunization information system; or a copy of any other official documentation that contains the type of vaccine administered, date(s) of administration, and the name of the healthcare professional(s) or clinic site(s) administering the vaccine(s). 

If unable to produce one of the aforementioned forms of proof, an individual may provide a signed and dated attestation. The statement must:  

1. Attest to their vaccination status (fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated); and
2. Attest that they have lost or are otherwise unable to produce proof as required by the policy; and 
3. Include the following language: “I declare (or certify, verify, or state) that this statement about my vaccination status is true and accurate. I understand that knowingly providing false information regarding my vaccination status on this form could lead to my removal from the university and may subject me to criminal penalties.” and
4. Be notarized by a currently licensed and accredited Texas Notary. 

Anyone who submits false documentation for vaccination will be subject to disciplinary action and possible criminal charges.

Who is required to have the vaccine in order to access campus? 

Students: All students accessing campus resources (e.g., residents, in-person learning, campus spaces) are required to be fully vaccinated or request an exemption.  

Employees:  Active university employees must provide documentation of their full vaccination or request an exemption. Additionally, new hires must provide documentation within 30 days of hire date.

Can I get a Covid-19 vaccine at the HCC?

The HCC does not provide the primary Covid-19 vaccination. Covid-19 vaccines are readily available in the Austin area. You can find a list of local Covid-19 vaccine resources on our Healthy Hilltop Covid-19 Vaccination Page.

Can I get a Covid-19 vaccine booster at the HCC? 

Yes. Boosters are provided at the HCC. You may schedule your Covid-19 booster online: Schedule an appointment.

Does the vaccine policy provide exemptions from the University’s vaccine requirement?

Employees and students attending on-campus classes may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons, or other reasons of conscience. 

Students enrolled in or faculty exclusively instructing fully online degree programs are not required to have the vaccine. 

Does the university recommend one vaccine over another?

No. All FDA approved Covid-19 vaccines have been determined to be safe and effective. Consult with your medical provider if you have concerns regarding which vaccine to take.

Do I have to be boosted to be considered “fully vaccinated?” 

No, while we highly recommend those who are eligible for the boosters to get them as soon as they are able, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

How much does the vaccine cost? What if I don't have insurance?

The U.S. government has ensured the Covid-19 vaccine is for free for all people residing in the U.S., regardless of insurance or ability to pay. You can get the vaccine for free anywhere it is provided.  While a vaccine provider may ask for your insurance information, please note, the vaccine will still be free even if you do not have insurance.