Stephen F. Austin State University

Dear members of the SFA community:

This coming Monday, May 17, marks an important change in the campus’s COVID-19 safety protocols and bringing us to Status 1.5 before an anticipated return to full classroom occupancy and normal operations Status 1 in Fall 2021.

Most notably, face coverings will only be required in indoor classrooms, labs and public transportation. Physical distancing will reduce from six feet to three feet. All occupancy rates will return to 100%.

With the latest CDC guidelines issued May 13, individuals who are vaccinated are free to safely go without a face covering in all other locations. Those who are not vaccinated are strongly encouraged to continue wearing face coverings when in:

• Elevators,
• Hallways,
• Lobbies,
• Restrooms,
• Conference and meeting rooms,
• Break rooms,
• Office settings,
• Outdoor spaces,
• SFA-owned vehicles.

Remember, these protocols are not just about protecting yourself, but others around you. When you are vaccinated or wear a face covering, you protect yourself and you do your duty to keep others around you and in our community safe.

Summer 2021 Summary

The decision to transition to Status 1.5 is based on both CDC and DSHS protocol changes, and the statistical shift we have seen in COVID-19 rates on a federal, state and local level. The following statistics highlight the key indicators that have been used to identify our risk level on campus. The statistics associated with these rates were pulled on September 4, 2020, and May 13, 2021. September 4, 2020, is used as a comparison as it represents a date from our statistically largest COVID rates on campus.

• % of Texans fully vaccinated – (May) 31.1
• Nacogdoches County Hospital Bed COVID % - (September) 14%, (May) 2.6%
• Nacogdoches County % with at least one vaccine dose – (May) 38.5%
• Nacogdoches County % fully vaccinated – (May) 31.8%
• On-campus active positives – (September) 50, (May) 4
• Positive tests by month – (January) 79, (February) 48, (March) 26, (April) 8
• Percentage of isolation dorms in use – (September) 5%, (May) 0%

What continues during Status 1.5?

• Testing will remain available in the campus Health Clinic.
• Contact tracing will remain available through the summer semester.
• Isolation rooms will be available to students through the summer semester.
• Continue to do the following:
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Isolate for 10 days if you receive a positive test.
  • Quarantine for 14 days if you come in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Report your positive COVID-19 test in MySFA.
• Pandemic level cleaning and disinfecting protocols will remain in effect through the summer.
• Hand sanitizer, masks and other personal protective equipment remain available to faculty and staff.
• Signage on campus will be changed to reflect the new protocols. Old signage should be removed.
• Vaccine options will remain available to students and employees through the summer semester.

If you have any additional questions Please contact Jeremy Higgins, director of environmental health, safety and risk management, at higginsjk@sfasu.edu or ext. 4532.

Axe ’em,

Scott A. Gordon, President