Archive for January, 2022

Do you know any graduating seniors who plan to attend graduate school at ACU? Encourage them to apply for the V.W. and Loreta Kelley Alumni Endowed Scholarship! The Alumni Advisory Board awards this scholarship to a select number of seniors for graduate study. Applications are now being accepted through Feb. 4. Learn more here.

The safety and well-being of our community is top priority. We want to remind our campus community that pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks. Drivers should slow down and be alert to pedestrians. Pedestrians own the crosswalk until they have safely crossed the street. We also want to remind those who use the crosswalks to check their surroundings before stepping into the street. Never assume a driver can see you. In today’s environment, where distractions are more prevalent than ever, we all need a reminder to pay closer attention to our surroundings. To help in this effort, we have launched the Watch for Wildcats crosswalk safety campaign in partnership with ACU’s Student Government Association. In addition to other student focused communication, you will see signs posted at higher-traffic crosswalks encouraging safe crossing. The university continues to work with the City of Abilene on other possible safety measures. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

From Risk Management: If you operate vehicles for university business, please read and follow the University Driver Policy. The policy requires that departments maintain a list of their Routine Drivers (as defined in the policy) and share it annually with the Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management. Routine drivers must have a motor vehicle record check (MVR) conducted each year, and they must complete an online driver safety training course every five years. Risk Management can provide links for both and can review MVR or training history if needed. Moreover, all trips with passengers must submit a passenger list to Risk Management before departure. The passenger list must include each traveler’s first and last name, cell phone, and emergency contact information. The list may be emailed to risk@acu.edu or sent via text to 325-232-1741. If you have any questions, please contact Risk Management at risk@acu.edu.

Regardless of vaccination, students, faculty, and staff who test positive or are exposed should submit the COVID-19 Notification Form and a representative from the ACU Medical Clinic will reach out with instructions.

From Jan. 6-21, face coverings will be required in classrooms, labs, studios and other instructional spaces, and indoor Chapel gatherings. In all other common interior spaces, masks are strongly recommended but not required.

Organizers of large events should consider moving them outdoors when possible to minimize interactions in close indoor spaces. Face coverings for faculty and staff, and physical distancing, are encouraged in office settings, as is the continued use of Zoom or other technology when appropriate for meetings.

In addition, our policies for isolation and quarantine have changed to reflect the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. Read the full details of this policy at acu.edu/coronavirus.

If you have not been vaccinated or are due for a booster, we strongly recommend that you go to the Medical Clinic as soon as possible. You may make an appointment online here or call 325-674-2625 to schedule. The Medical Clinic stocks Moderna and J&J vaccines, and they are available at no charge.

We will continue to monitor CDC guidelines as they are updated and evaluate the pandemic’s effect on our learning and living environments. On or before Jan. 23, we will reassess the COVID-19 landscape and let you know if we need to take additional action or revise these protocols.