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CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM SFA

Posted About Four Years Ago by SFA

 

 

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Prevention and Response

Information Update History

General Information

Updated March 16, 2020

Student Recreation Center

Due to updates in public health guidance and tightening restrictions on public gatherings the Student Recreation Center will suspend operations beginning March 17 until normal campus operations resume.

University-sponsored Travel

All university-sponsored student and employee international and non-essential domestic travel is suspended indefinitely. All university-sponsored student and employee essential domestic travel must be approved in advance by the appropriate vice president.

Updated March 15, 2020

Given the ongoing global concerns around COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we want to do our part to keep our entire campus community safe and to contribute to the management of this growing public health crisis.

We currently have no confirmed cases on Stephen F. Austin State University’s campus, but several cases have been confirmed in Texas, including East Texas. Moreover, a large number of our students and faculty are currently engaged in personal travel to a number of domestic and international locations for Spring Break.

Wherever you are, we encourage all members of the SFA community to be conscientious in following CDC guidelines for staying healthy.

Given the potential for exposure and CDC recommendations for social distancing, SFA has made the following decisions:

  • Spring Break for students will be extended through March 17, with no academic activities taking place for students.
  • Beginning Wednesday, March 18, all classes will resume in an online-only or other distance-education format until April 6.
  • Faculty will be able to utilize March 16 and 17 to prepare to deliver classes online or in other distance-education formats.
  • All staff will report as normal on March 16 unless notified otherwise.

We like talking to you! So, our Call Center will remain open daily through March 20. You can call us at 936.468.3401 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. with your questions. 

In addition, the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs is standing by to assist students who have questions or concerns, or who need special assistance. They can be reached at 936.468.7249 or by email at DOSA@sfasu.edu.

  • Our current plan is to begin in-person instruction again on Monday, April 6. We will closely monitor this dynamic situation and could possibly extend further the date for resuming in-person classes. Students will receive information from their respective colleges and faculty with details regarding how course work will be conducted.
  • All on-campus events scheduled through April 5 will be canceled or postponed. Event planners will be contacted by the reservation specialist starting on Monday, March 16.
  • Showcase Saturday, scheduled for March 28, will be rescheduled. Campus tours may still be provided, but will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
  • Student athletes will receive additional clarification related to team activities from the Athletics Department and their coaches.
  • In order to catch up on lost class time, Easter break will be canceled, and classes will be held April 9, 10 and 13.
  • Students are asked to remain off campus until in-person classes resume.

Information for Residence Hall students

  • Any student or employee who is ill or who believes they may have been exposed to coronavirus cannot return to campus and should follow CDC guidelines for self-isolation. If any student or employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, it is requested that you notify the university at www.sfasu.edu/COVIDabsence.
  • All university-sponsored student and employee travel, both international and domestic, scheduled for March 16 through April 1 will be canceled unless approved by the respective Vice President (domestic) or President (international).
  • May commencement exercises are expected to continue as scheduled.

These plans are evolving, and we wanted to inform our community as quickly as possible to enable you to begin making your own arrangements. We realize you may have questions that are not addressed here. Please know that our team is working diligently to accommodate this transition for our campus, and we will provide additional information as soon as possible.

  • If your questions are not urgent, we ask you to wait for further communication that may address your concerns.
  • In addition, please continue to monitor your campus email and this website. This site also offers additional information on the virus, travel advisories and prevention that may be helpful.
  • The university will be maintaining a call center from Thursday, March 12th until Sunday, March 15th. The center will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. If you have questions or special needs, please call the main university phone number at 936.468.3401.

Finally, we ask that you try to understand how difficult it is to make these decisions and request your patience as we seek to make the best decisions possible to keep everyone in our community healthy and safe, to do our part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and to continue the university’s mission to provide excellence in higher education.

Updated March 11, 2020

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). SFA is committed to the health and safety of students, faculty and staff and will be continuously reviewing this evolving situation.

We will keep the entire campus community updated on our website. We anticipate an announcement on Thursday, March 12, at 3 p.m. regarding operations.

Updated March 5, 2020

The health and well-being of the SFA community is very important, and the evolving COVID-19 issue can be concerning. While the number of confirmed cases of the virus in the United States is still relatively low, as testing for the virus becomes more widespread and robust we would expect to see higher numbers in the coming days.

To address the SFA response to this issue, a dedicated team of university officials and medical personnel is monitoring the COVID-19 situation and is following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as other official sources of information. This team has been proactively planning for and assessing the impact to both academic and business continuity on the SFA community as the situation evolves. In addition, our staff is participating in regular calls with the Texas Department of Health Services and in professional association webinars and is communicating with colleagues from around the state and the nation to receive the latest information available and learn of best practices that can be brought to our campus.

For some, navigating the uncertainty caused by the national story regarding the virus can be personally and emotionally challenging. SFA Counseling Services is available as a resource for students, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need help.

Above all else, the tried and true prevention measures below still hold for this virus:

Download the COVID-19 prevention flyer.

  • Wash your hands

    Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

  • Avoid touching

    Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Cover coughs and sneezes

    Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Clean and disinfect

    Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

  • Stay home

    Stay home when sick.

  • Avoid close contact

    Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Don't share food, beverages or smoking devices with others.

  • Call SFA's Health Services

    If you are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, call SFA's Health Services at 936.468.4008 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

  • Call 911

    If you have an emergency, call 911.

We will continue to update you on this website as the situation evolves.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Coronavirus

What are symptoms of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and sore throat. For most people who have had the illness, symptoms were mild and resolved after several days.

What happens if the SFA Student Health Clinic suspects that a student has COVID-19 infection?

The staff will consult with the Texas Department of Health Services to determine whether testing the patient for the coronavirus is indicated. To date, no SFA patients have met the criteria for testing. If testing is done, results will be communicated to the Clinic staff by the TDHS, and the staff will inform the patient and follow appropriate protocols.

What happens to students, faculty and staff at the university if there is a confirmed case on campus?

There is a dedicated SFA COVID-19 Response Team monitoring the situation. Should a COVID-19 case be confirmed, all CDC protocols will be followed. Those who have had close contact with the patient will be contacted and monitored by the TDHS. The university will fully support and be in complete compliance with all public health protocols.

Will the university be able to provide information to the public about students, faculty or staff with possible cases or diagnoses of COVID-19 infection?

Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and campus privacy policies, we are unable to disclose specific information (e.g., residence location or class attendance) for individuals with suspected infection. If necessary, however, people who are in close contact with a COVID-19-infected patient will be contacted and monitored by TDHS.

The university will make other appropriate notice to the public regarding possible cases or diagnoses.

Protocol for Students and Employees Who Visit an Area Classified as a Level 2 or Level 3 Risk Area by the CDC

Be aware of the most up-to-date travel advisories from the CDC by visiting: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers. If you travel to any of the areas listed as a Level 2 or a Level 3 risk, the CDC recommends that you stay home for 14 days after you return and monitor your health. Please inform us that you will be self-isolating by completing an Absence Notification Form. While this form is designed for students, employees can use the form as well or can notify their supervisor.

Download the CDC’s information card about self-isolation.

If I Need to Self-Isolate, What Do I Do?

Those who are self-isolating should:

  • Monitor their temperature twice a day for fever. Fever is defined as temperatures higher than 100.4F or 38C.
  • If a cough, difficulty breathing or fever develop during the 14-day period post-travel, do the following:
    • Avoid contact with others. Follow precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.
    • Call ahead before going to any healthcare facility.
    • If you are an SFA student and experience symptoms of respiratory illness, call SFA’s Health Services at 936.468.4008 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. They may want to provide specific ­instructions about how to come to the clinic and where to go once you arrive to minimize the risk of exposing others, or they may give instructions for self-care at home.
    • Employees should contact their personal physician’s office or visit a local clinic. It is also recommended that you notify them before you arrive so they can advise you if they have developed any special protocols.
    • If you have an emergency, call 911.

Additional resources:

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