Face Covering Policy Requirements
Effective July 26, 2021, all individuals (community members and visitors), regardless of vaccination status, must wear an acceptable face covering over the nose and mouth when accessing indoor shared campus spaces (e.g., classroom, hallway, restroom, etc.). to protect our community.
Masks are not required when alone in private work spaces or for students inside residence hall rooms and apartments. More details are available in the updated university Face Covering Policy.
This requirement will be reconsidered when Austin Public Health (APH) moves its Risk-Based Guidelines below Stage 4. The university continues to monitor recommendations from the CDC, APH and our medical advisors, and we will continue to make adjustments based on their guidance.
University Community Standards
All vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are required to wear an acceptable face covering over the nose and mouth when accessing indoor shared campus spaces (e.g., classroom, hallway, restroom, etc.). Masks are not required when alone in private work spaces or for students inside residence hall rooms and apartments.
Improved hygiene fixtures have been installed across campus, including 115 hand sanitization and 150 surface disinfection stations.
Unvaccinated students, faculty and staff are are required to conduct free weekly asymptomatic testing through Genotox through December.
University Community Requirements
- All individuals coming to campus must complete daily screenings on the TopperSafe app.
- All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face coverings over the nose and mouth in all indoor shared spaces.
- All unvaccinated individuals must complete weekly asymptomatic testing throughout the semester (excluding those learning, teaching, or working fully online and not accessing campus facilities).
Campus Visitor Requirements
- Follow the face covering policy.
- Adhere to closure of all fields and recreation areas.
- Avoid visiting campus if experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or if recently exposed to the virus.
University Face Covering Policy
- Acceptable face coverings include cloth-based face coverings that cover the mouth and nose snugly and medical-grade masks (surgical masks or N95 respirators).
- Masks of any type fitted with an exhaust valve are not acceptable and should not be used.
- Face shields alone do not satisfy the university’s face covering standard. Face shields may be worn with a face covering for additional protection.
Testing and Campus Access FAQs
All on-campus students, staff and faculty who do not have documentation of full Covid-19 vaccination on file are required to do weekly asymptomatic testing through our Genotox site in the Huddle (ground floor of Le Mans Hall) through December. The testing is free of charge and must be completed every seven days if you plan to be on campus at any time. The site will be open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Closed 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.).
Please note this information will be updated soon as new information becomes available.
What documentation do I need to access on-campus learning and activities?
All individuals accessing campus MUST complete the daily screening in the TopperSafe App. The TopperSafe badging process will be updated and only yellow and red badges will be options while Austin is at or above Stage 4. Additionally, everyone will be required to wear a face covering indoors while on campus.
- Yellow - Approved to be on campus and required to use a face covering.
- Red - Not approved to be on campus and should continue to follow the guidance of a health care professional and their case manager if an employee or student.
Who is required to do the weekly asymptomatic testing?
All on-campus students, staff and faculty who do not have documentation of full Covid-19 vaccination on file are required to start weekly asymptomatic testing through our Genotox site in the Huddle (ground floor of Le Mans Hall) beginning August 11 through December.
I am a student-athlete. Do I need to test with the university or continue with the Athletics Department?
Due to NCAA and Lone Star Conference testing requirements, student athletes should follow protocols provided by the Athletic Department staff. Additional testing through athletics may be required. Speak with your athletic trainer and coach for more details.
Can I opt out of asymptomatic Covid-19 testing?
No. The only exception for the testing requirement is for those individuals meeting CDC guidelines for testing exemption due to a prior documented infection within 90 days. Please fill out this form if you meet this exemption.
If you are not yet 18 years old, please fill out this waiver to begin testing. Please print the completed form and bring it with you to the testing site at your first appointment.
Is there a charge for testing and how do I sign up to get a test?
The testing is free of charge and must be completed weekly (every seven days) if you plan to be on campus at any time. The site will be open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.) with additional days and hours August 14-22 during student move-in.
What if I have questions or concerns with my test or appointment?
Contact Genotox directly at wecanhelp@mytruthtest.com or 866-419-1211. Be sure to state you are a student at St. Edward's University.
What happens if I have Covid-19 symptoms or had an exposure? Can I now be tested on campus?
Yes. For individuals who have Covid-19 symptoms or a known exposure, PCR Covid-19 testing will be available to all students, staff and faculty Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Health & Counseling Center provided through our partnership with Ascension.
Members of the community seeking Covid-19 symptomatic/exposure testing at the HCC may be charged co-pays relative to their insurance. Call the HCC at (512) 324-4940 or make an online appointment for symptomatic testing.
What if I need to reschedule my appointment? What if I miss my appointment?
Appointments can be rescheduled to available appointment slots on the portal up to one hour before the appointment begins.
If you will be more than 15 minutes late beyond the hour window of your scheduled appointment, contact Genotox at wecanhelp@mytruthtest.com or 866-419-1211 to reschedule.
If a student misses and does not reschedule more than two appointments, they will be referred to the Dean of Students Office for a follow-up conversation.
Will I be notified of my results after each test? How quickly can I expect to receive my results?
Within 36 hours of testing, students will receive an email notification of their positive/negative test result with an attached PDF lab report. Results will not be in the TRUTH Portal.
What happens if I test positive?
Individuals will be referred to Ascension Medical Group Seton at the Health and Counseling Center or their personal healthcare professional for follow-up. The individual will be asked to self-isolate until released by a healthcare professional to return to campus. Additionally, the university will support Austin Public Health to conduct contact tracing of all positive cases.
The university is implementing daily symptom screening for all employees, students, volunteers and campus visitors each day they come to campus. When community members successfully complete the short survey via the secure TopperSafe app or website, they will receive one of two badges good for 24 hours: "Approved to Be On-Campus" badge or "Stay Home" badge. Specific indoor service areas on campus may require to see the badge to receive service, and professors may request the badge upon entering an instructional space. Individuals who test positive for Covid-19 will not receive the on-campus badge until they are cleared by a healthcare professional.
Students
If the student is an on-campus resident, the university has separate procedures for self-isolation and care, including daily check-ins, meals, and additional support. Students living off campus will be asked to self-isolate and not return to campus until receiving medical clearance.
Employees
- Employees testing positive should notify their supervisor that they will be unable to be on campus.
- Employees that are asymptomatic 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 opportunities to support their recovery as necessary.
Will the university have vaccine requirements for the Fall 2021 semester?
The safety and wellbeing of our SEU community is of the utmost importance. As we plan for increased on-campus capacity this fall and with expanded vaccine availability, the university has established a Covid-19 vaccination policy for students studying on-campus, faculty, and staff. Students and employees must submit a copy of their vaccine documentation or religious/medical/EUA decline to share vaccination status exemption through the secure submission portal.
Students eligible to get the vaccine must be enrolled in one or more courses for Fall 2021. Students are encouraged to review the pre-registration process for more details.
Updated September 30, 2021