Coronavirus Update

June 16, 2021 - POLICY UPDATE

In response to updated guidelines from the CDC and the Travis County Health Department, the Seminary is making the following changes to campus operations:

Faculty, staff, and students who have submitted their vaccine information can participate in indoor or outdoor gatherings on campus without precautions. This means, that masks and physical distancing will not be required by those who have been fully vaccinated and submitted their information to the administration. However, if another individual requests masking or distancing in their presence, everyone should comply, even if fully vaccinated. Working in community means we will honor and respect the needs of those around us.

June 7, 2021 - Announcement about re-opening of the campus for the fall term

I write at a moment in which we are perhaps seeing the light at the end of a tunnel that has kept us distant and isolated far too long. With the roll-out of effective COVID-19 vaccinations, we can begin to imagine a return to normal life. Along with my colleagues on the Administrative Cabinet and under the wise council of our Board of Trustees, I am delighted to announce plans to re-open campus for the Fall term of the 21-22 academic year. I invite you to carefully review the details of our plans to reunite below, and I look forward with gratitude and great anticipation to being, once again, the embodied community known as Austin Seminary.

The Austin Seminary campus will re-open to the Austin Seminary community at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7, beginning the 2021-22 academic year. All faculty, staff, and students will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination. Courses will be taught in classrooms and offices will be open. We anticipate that Discovery Weekend will be in person on campus, October 29-31, and Education Beyond the Walls events will remain primarily online. At this time, the Seminary does not plan to open the campus to outside individuals or groups during the fall semester. Decisions about opening to the public will reflect the guidance of public health authorities, and while this re-opening does not include a general opening to the public, as guidance changes, so will our response.

Austin Seminary takes seriously its responsibility and duty to provide everyone with a safe place for working and learning, therefore Austin Seminary is requiring vaccination against COVID‑19 for Seminary students, faculty, staff, and members of the Board of Trustees. The goal is to protect—to the greatest extent possible—our students, employees, their families, and the broader community from COVID-19 infection as we all do our part to survive this worldwide pandemic. Students, faculty, staff, and trustees may obtain approval for an exemption of the vaccine requirement for medical reason or objection of conscience.

Aligning with evolving guidance by the Travis County Health Department, at this time we expect to continue to mandate mask wearing indoors (except in private offices and student living quarters). Group gatherings (including classes, meetings, worship, and dining) will be masked, socially distant, and limited in group size, all according to current Health Department guidelines. (NOTE POLICY UPDATE ABOVE)

Updates to this policy will be posted here as new information becomes available.

- Ted Wardlaw, President of Austin Seminary

Plans for fall instruction and library services

I am pleased to announce the following plans that will allow us to return to in-person classes and a re-opening of the Seminary library on September 7. All students, as previously announced, will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Students who have a medical condition or an objection for reasons of conscience need to notify the academic dean, Dave Jensen, in writing. Dean Jensen will assess each exemption request and may ask for additional information in support of the student request.

Classroom protocols will follow the guidelines for secondary and higher education publicized by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Austin Public Health. Currently, those guidelines include masks and social distancing. Classroom spaces will adhere to these guidelines. The Seminary will be monitoring these guidelines throughout the summer. If the recommended safety protocols change significantly, Dean Jensen will notify the Seminary community before September 7.

Seminary faculty have the discretion to combine asynchronous on-line instruction with in-person instruction, as they see fit. As a result, some classes may not be meeting in-person for the entirety of their scheduled weekly meeting times.

Regarding the library, beginning Tuesday, August 3rd, the library will resume in-person services in the lower level of the McMillan Building. Students, faculty, and staff of Austin Seminary and Seminary of the Southwest may visit the library on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ALL patrons must present appropriate seminary ID to staff, wear a mask, and maintain social distancing in the library.

Library patrons must report to the McCord desk for a temperature check before visiting the library in August.

All patrons, including those who are not faculty, students, or staff of the two seminaries, may continue to schedule curbside pickup of books.

Beginning Tuesday, September 7^th, hours of service expand to Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please refer to the library’s website for additional information.

Regards,

David Hadley Jensen, Academic Dean

See our "Resources for Desert Times" page

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (CARES) Report

Prior updates from Austin Seminary

February 11 announcement about Commencement

October 29 announcement about Spring instruction

June 23 announcement about Fall instruction

May 5 update to the community

April 27 update to the community

April 2 update to the community

March 25 update to the community

March 23 message from the dean

March 20 message to the community

March 16 message to the community

March 13 message to the community

March 10 message from President Wardlaw

March 10 email communication

COVID-19 Information & Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between coronavirus and COVID-19?

According to the Centers for Disease Control

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

Has anyone on the campus been exposed to the coronavirus?

What precautions are the Seminary taking to prevent the spread of viruses?

Austin Seminary is working together with the local health department to slow the spread of disease and protect vulnerable students, staff, and faculty. All in person classes have been moved to on-line formats through the spring term and summer session.

Daily cleaning of all buildings continues during shutdown, with an emphasis on sanitizing all “high-touch” surfaces, such as door knobs, handles, and more.

The community is required to follow social distancing protocols and other measures that the state and local governments have mandated, like the wearing of cloth face masks.

Food Service - Southern Food Service offers to-go meals for breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday. Weekly information about foodservice is distributed by the Auxiliary Enterprises office.

How is the Seminary preparing for a potential outbreak?

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

What should I do if I have been exposed to the virus?

Students, faculty, and staff who experience symptoms similar to COVID-19 must self-isolate, stay home, and self-monitor. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, stay home and seek medical advice. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or if your healthcare provider believes you have COVID-19, contact Heather Zdancewicz as soon as possible.

We are preparing contingency plans to identify isolation / quarantine stations if needed.

What should I do if I feel sick?

According to the CDC, you should:

Seek medical care.
Stay home except to get medical care.
Separate yourself from people and animals in your home.
Wear a face mask.
Not travel while sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Avoid sharing personal household items.
Clean your hands often.
Clean all “high-touch” areas every day.
Monitor symptoms.
Consult with healthcare providers and state and local health departments before discontinuing home isolation.

Please read this resource for more detail on each bullet above.

What if I must be isolated or quarantined?

Students: The health and well-being of our community is of utmost importance and we rely upon each other to prevent the spread of this virus. There will not be punitive consequences for missing classes because of illness.

Staff: It is always recommended that sick staff take time-off to care for themselves, or family members who require care during an illness. Paid sick leave is available in the event of an illness or required medical attention of the employee or employee’s immediate family member (spouse, child(ren), parent(s) or parent(s) in-law). Remember that the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available if you are feeling anxious about anything. EAP is available to all employees, whether you have the Seminary’s insurance or not. The number for EAP is 1-866-640-2772. For medical advice, you should continue to consult with your personal physician.

Classes

Prevention

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid shaking hands; use a verbal greeting instead.
Avoid high-touch areas. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to say the Lord's Prayer slowly or the Apostles' Creed quickly), especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Social Distancing

Many places of work and worship are implementing a policy of "social distancing." According to the CDC, social distancing means remaining out of crowded public places where close contact with others may occur, such as shopping centers, movie theaters, stadiums; avoiding local public transportation (e.g., bus, subway, taxi, ride share); and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others.

Worship Guidelines

Travel

Students, faculty, and staff who traveled away from the campus before Stay-Home orders were enacted are encouraged to continue to shelter in place. Students should work with the Office of Student Affairs and Vocation about their return to campus in a safe manner. Additionally, partial housing refunds are available to those who do not return to their residence. All business related travel has been scheduled and will not be re-scheduled until appropriate guidance from the CDC indicates that it is safe to do so.

Quarantine and Isolation

Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

Students, faculty, and staff who experience symptoms similar to COVID-19 must self-isolate, stay home, and self-monitor. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, stay home and seek medical advice. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or if your healthcare provider believes you have COVID-19, contact Heather Zdancewicz. We are preparing contingency plans by identifying isolation/quarantine stations.

Isolation for students: If students get sick, we ask you to refrain from coming to class or any other gatherings and let us know. Please take your temperature twice a day. If you have a fever of over 100.4, contact your family doctor and follow their instructions. There will not be punitive consequences for missing classes because of illness. If you are diagnosed with the coronavirus or have been exposed to someone who has and have been instructed to self-isolate by your physician or government official, please contact Heather Zdancewicz.

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