Stephen F. Austin State University

Overview

Stephen F. Austin State University will begin transitioning away from pandemic-level protocols May 9, 2022. Many COVID-19 related resources will remain available to the SFA community. The goal of this transition is to inform the campus of a final strategy for mitigation of COVID-19 cases among the SFA community. The below areas are affected by this transition.

COVID-19 Operations Team

Beginning May 9, 2022, the COVID-19 Operations Team will be deactivated. Following deactivation, the operations below will no longer occur:

• weekly reporting of cases on campus
• isolation rooms at North and South Halls
• contact tracing for individual cases
• and doctor’s note waiver for use of sick leave related to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Operations Team will remain available if clusters (three or more cases in a localized area) are identified on campus. Events such as clusters will be reviewed by members of the COVID-19 Operations Team to allow proper mitigation strategies to be enacted.

Vaccines and Testing

SFA Health Services has transitioned back to scheduled testing. Students, faculty and staff are able to schedule a COVID-19 test in mySFA using the “Schedule a test” link in the important notification section. Health Services anticipates offering COVID-19 testing through December 2022 or until supplies are exhausted. Once supplies are exhausted, it is recommended that students, faculty and staff seek testing from their medical provider or other sources, such as an urgent clinic or pharmacy.

Health Services will not be acquiring additional COVID-19 vaccines. The final day to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from Health Services was April 27. It is recommended you seek vaccination from your medical provider, pharmacy, through covid.gov or call 211 in Texas.

Employees with health insurance through the Employees Retirement System of Texas have coverage under all HealthSelect of Texas medical plans for certain benefits, such as vaccines and testing, as well as access to virtual treatment options for COVID-19. For the most current information, go to COVID-19 and Your HealthSelect Plan | HealthSelect of Texas | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (bcbstx.com) or call (800) 252-8039 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reporting a Positive Case

While many protocols are being lifted, it is still important to stay home if you are sick, follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for isolation if you test positive, and report your positive test in mySFA.

Students, by reporting your positive case in mySFA, you are notifying Student Outreach and Support staff members, who will assist you with class absence notifications.

Faculty and staff, by reporting your positive case in mySFA, you are notifying Human Resources of your absence. You are still required to notify your supervisor of your absence and expected return-to-work date.

On-campus Isolation

Beginning May 9, 2022, the isolation rooms in North and South Halls will be closed.

On-campus quarantine and isolation rooms will remain available for the foreseeable future. The rooms will be available in each residence hall to allow students who live on campus the opportunity to isolate or quarantine for five days. Each residence hall will have up to three isolation rooms available. If the capacity of the isolation rooms is met, the COVID-19 Operations Team will reconvene to evaluate possible case clusters on campus.

Students isolating on campus will continue to receive meal service from Chartwells during their quarantine or isolation.

Sick Leave Usage

Beginning May 9, 2022, faculty and staff who plan to use sick leave during a continuous period of more than three working days for an absence due to COVID-19 will provide a doctor’s certificate verifying the employee was out due to medical reasons when returning to work.

This process is required for all illness as described in Policy 12.18 Sick Leave and was waived during the pandemic. With the return to normal operations, COVID-19 is now included in this process.

Employees who test positive for COVID-19 should continue to notify their supervisor, report their positive case in mySFA, and follow CDC guidelines regarding isolation.

Contact Tracing

Contact tracing will still be available through the Dean of Students office. Contact tracing will only occur when a potential cluster is identified, meaning individual cases will no longer be contacted by the tracing team. In the event a cluster is identified, members of the COVID-19 Operations Team will evaluate the event and begin mitigation strategies.

Communication

Beginning May 9, 2022, weekly case counts will no longer be reported on the SFA COVID-19 webpage. Formal communication regarding COVID-19 will be provided as necessary and the COVID-19 webpage will remain active through December 2022.