Stephen F. Austin State University

As of August 1, 2021, Stephen F. Austin State University has returned campus pandemic safety protocols to Status 1 (Normal Operations). This change follows Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-38 as well as evolving guidelines produced by the CDC and state mandates.

We strongly encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated, wear a mask in public indoor settings, frequently wash hands, and maintain physical distance when possible. Though these precautions are not required, actions like these are known to be effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Four things to know as we return to campus this fall:

• Students and employees are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Find a vaccination site by visiting vaccine.gov.
• Students and employees who are vaccinated should complete the voluntary vaccine reporting survey in mySFA.
• Students and employees should stay home when they are feeling sick or have symptoms related to COVID-19.
• Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 must report their positive test in mySFA.

While many protocols have been eased, pandemic resources remain available. We continue to monitor the situation in our region, as well as the state as a whole. Additional guidance and FAQs can be found at www.sfasu.edu/covid19.

Vaccination – Vaccination is strongly encouraged and remains voluntary. In compliance with Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-38, the university currently cannot require individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or provide proof of vaccination.

We encourage everyone to complete SFA’s voluntary vaccine reporting survey in mySFA. Completing this confidential survey assists the campus in identifying SFA’s overall vaccination rate.

Face coverings – Individuals who take personal responsibility such as wearing a mask indoors help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This is voluntary, as all mandates regarding face coverings have been lifted at SFA to comply with Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-38:

“No governmental entity, including a county, city, school district, and public health authority, and no governmental official may require any person to wear a face covering or to mandate that another person wear a face covering;”

Occupancy Levels and Physical Distancing – Occupancy on campus has opened to 100% in all areas. Physical distancing, wearing face coverings indoors and washing hands regularly are still best practices for reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Classrooms and Laboratories – The extensive remote learning arrangements made last year due to COVID-19 are now more limited.

Individuals who must isolate or quarantine need to contact professors to make appropriate arrangements to complete assignments and stay current in your classes. Such arrangements are expected to be like those offered in the past for students who missed class due to illness or other urgent matters.

Faculty members will be responsible for determining appropriate arrangements, in consultation with their academic head and dean.

Employees of SFA must make similar arrangements with supervisors when unable to report for work.

Travel and Transportation – Face coverings are strongly encouraged indoors when individuals are unable to obtain physical distance. To comply with the governor’s order, face coverings are not required in any SFA/state-owned or rented vehicles including public transportation. Also, all vehicle and public transportation occupancy is at 100%.

Sanitation/Cleaning – All areas on campus will continue to be cleaned and sanitized.

Dining – Dining halls are open at full capacity and will retain options for self-serve and to-go meals.

Residence Life – Residence hall move-in will be staggered over three days. Residents will be assigned a two-hour window to move in and may bring two helpers. All residence halls will be open at 100%.

Recreation Center – The Student Recreation Center is open at 100% capacity and enhanced cleaning protocols remain in place.

Athletic Events – Athletic events will be open at 100% capacity. SFA strongly encourages all Lumberjacks to do their part by wearing face coverings when appropriate and seeking physical distance from others when possible.

Visitors – It is strongly recommended and requested that all visitors continue to follow COVID-19 protocols to protect the SFA community and themselves from possible transmission. This includes wearing face coverings.

Health Clinic Testing, Contact Tracing and Isolation Rooms – All will remain in operation through the beginning of the fall semester and will be re-evaluated periodically. Employees and students can schedule a free, 15-minute test with the Student Health Clinic.

If You Are Sick, Stay Home – It is important for individuals to remain vigilant of their health and symptoms, as well as potential exposure. Individuals should screen themselves for COVID-19 symptoms daily. If they feel sick, they must stay home. If they have symptoms of COVID-19, they must follow quarantine and isolation guidelines and get tested. If an individual tests positive, they must report it in MySFA.

Report Positive Tests – Those who test positive for COVID-19 are required to report positive test results through the reporting link on the MySFA homepage. Reporting test results accelerates contact tracing and cleaning to decrease overall risk of spreading COVID-19 at SFA.

Contact Tracers – Contact tracers will work with positive/potentially positive individuals to identify those who may have been in close contact on campus. Contact tracers reach out to those identified to inform them of the potential exposure and provide guidance on next steps. Be sure to answer calls to the number posted on the report form so the tracer can connect with you. If you miss a call, please call back as soon as possible.

Quarantine - The recommended quarantine period remains 14 days after last contact with a person who has COVID-19.

• Please note that the day of exposure is Day 0.
• Quarantine may be relaxed after Day 10 if you have not experienced symptoms, remain symptom-free and have received a negative COVID-19 Test. After Day 10, you must continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing, washing hands and avoiding crowds. After Day 10, you must continue to monitor yourself for symptoms. If you experience any symptoms, you should return to quarantine, consult your primary care provider, and get tested for COVID-19. COVID-19 testing is readily available on campus and you are recommended to test prior to exiting either a 10- or 14-day quarantine.
• Watch for fever (100.4°F), cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
• You may leave quarantine to seek medical attention and get tested as needed, but you should go directly to your appointment, minimize contact with others and return to quarantine.

*This excludes people who had COVID-19 within the past three months, have recovered and remain symptom-free, as well as those who have been fully vaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine and remain symptom-free.

Isolation - If you test positive for COVID-19 you must isolate for:

• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
• Have at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
• Symptoms have resolved

Monitoring – SFA will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases reported on campus and make necessary changes as the year progresses.

Please direct any additional questions to Director of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Jeremy Higgins by email or at ext. 4532.

We look forward to returning to pre-pandemic operations, and it is important that all Lumberjacks continue to do their part in keeping SFA healthy and safe!

Thank you,

Scott Gordon
President