Stephen F. Austin State University

Happy New Year, Lumberjacks. We hope you had a refreshing winter break.

As you are likely aware, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has rapidly spread across the United States, including East Texas. The COVID-19 Operations Team has continued to monitor local infection and hospitalization rates during the break and as we start the new semester.

At this time, SFA will fully reopen for the spring 2022 semester with classes and activities being held as originally scheduled. We continue to monitor infection rates locally and regionally, as well as all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SFA will continue with current isolation and quarantine guidelines from the fall 2021 semester. All isolation and quarantine guidelines for SFA can be found on the COVID-19 website.

Actions you can take for the health of our community, including yourself:

• Get vaccinated and boosted to reduce serious illness and straining local health care services.

• Get tested if you have symptoms or suspected exposure.

• Report positive results through mySFA.

• Stay home when you can, especially if you’re sick. If you’re an SFA employee, work with your supervisor to arrange for work from home when it is reasonable or necessary to do so.

• Wear a mask when you are going to be around other people.

• Wash and sanitize your hands frequently.

As a reminder, COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can be received from SFA’s Health Services on campus. There are two upcoming vaccination clinics, Friday, Jan. 14, and Thursday, Jan. 20. Individuals wanting a vaccine or booster must sign up using the link in the Important Announcements section of mySFA.

Health Services also continues to offer walk-in COVID testing from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please proceed to the rear entrance of the Health Clinic at door #3.

Pursuant to SFA Policy 11.27 university employees may telecommute or work from home (WFH) as approved by unit supervisors. We must ensure that all essential services are conducted with in-person customer service.

SFA continues to strongly encourage mask wearing, vaccinations, and washing and sanitizing your hands as much as possible. Masks and sanitizer can be picked up (free of charge) from the Dean of Students Office on the third floor lobby of the Rusk Building.

You may direct any questions concerning COVID-19 to higginsjk@sfasu.edu and any questions about masks and hand sanitizer to dos@sfasu.edu.

Best wishes for the start of the semester!