Archive for ‘COVID-19’

We will stop requiring classroom disinfection on May 1. Disinfection supplies will continue to be available in classrooms. The disinfection work assigned to faculty, staff, and students will conclude on April 30 and will not be required during finals week or after.  Thanks to all the dedicated faculty, staff and students who disinfected classrooms during the fall and spring semesters!

As of May 1, the university has lifted the pandemic-related domestic travel restrictions and the restrictions on campus visitors. Faculty and staff should continue to use Concur to manage the travel approval process.

In FY22 most university travel budgets will remain at the same level they were in FY21, which is a 65% reduction from previous years. Unless a person is presenting at a conference, virtual attendance is encouraged.

Academic travel related to tenure and promotion is prioritized and has special consideration. Please contact your dean regarding unfunded T&P-related travel needs. The deans and the Provost’s Office will work with the Finance Office to identify funds for T&P-related travel.

As we continue to experience low cases of COVID-19 and a significant increase in the number of vaccines available, all employees are expected to return to their normal work schedule and on campus office effective Monday, May 3. We are grateful for the flexibility extended during the pandemic and look forward to all being together again. If you have a medical condition that inhibits your return please contact Human Resources to discuss whether you would like to request a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. A reasonable accommodation is designed to assist an employee in the performance of his or her job without placing an undue hardship on the University or posing a direct threat to the employee or to other individuals and are determined on a case-by-case basis. For example, reasonable accommodations may include offering the vaccination or providing an N-95 mask. Thank you for your dedication and work during this unprecedented time.

As of March 23, 2021, anyone 16 and older is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District Clinics. (You must be 18 and older to register to receive the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines while those 16 and older may register to receive the Pfizer vaccine.) Online scheduling for COVID-19 Vaccine appointments is available here.

ACU’s Medical Clinic was able to receive and administer a limited supply of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccines during Spring Break.  Our hope is to secure the vaccine weekly, and offer additional appointments as more vaccines become available. As with all providers, we do not know week to week which brand (Pfizer, Moderna, J&J) of vaccines we will receive. Once we are notified that we are being sent vaccines we need to quickly schedule appointments. If you, your spouse, or dependent children over 18 would like to be on the Medical Clinic’s waitlist to receive a vaccine, please submit the ACU COVID-19 Vaccine Waitlist form. Appointments will be made based on the number of vaccine doses available and prioritized by the current criteria set by the state of Texas.  ACU will use the allotted vaccines for current faculty and staff before moving to students, retirees or other household members. Once your name is reached on the waitlist, the Medical Clinic will call to schedule your appointment to receive your vaccine.

Abilene has been designated as a Vaccine HUB for COVID vaccines in Taylor county. This means that currently, the state is routing Abilene’s vaccines to the health department for distribution. Anyone who thinks they might qualify as a 1B (people 65 years of age and older OR people 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19) should submit their information to the City of Abilene’s 1B Request Form. This form places you on the waitlist to be vaccinated.

Once ACU receives the vaccine, we will announce the Medical Clinic’s distribution plans.

Because COVID-19 symptoms can mirror allergies, we strongly encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to get tested.

We continue to meet NCAA guidelines for COVID-19 testing of student-athletes. Basketball and volleyball players are each tested three times per week. Students in other sports are tested based on their determined risk level per NCAA recommendations.

For students who are participating in student activities this semester, we are implementing surveillance testing.

As a part of our research partnership with Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, all faculty, staff, and students who are NOT experiencing symptoms can receive free COVID-19 PCR testing by scheduling an appointment on this calendar.

For individuals who are experiencing symptoms, the ACU Medical Clinic offers the rapid antigen test for $40. Call the clinic at (325) 674-2625 to schedule an appointment.

For information regarding COVID-19 testing during the break please see COVID-19 During the Winter Break. Members of the ACU community should continue to complete the COVID notification form as soon as possible if they are exposed or test positive.

The next testing clinic is scheduled for Thursday, October 29th, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. All faculty, staff and students can receive free COVID-19 PCR testing by scheduling an appointment on this calendar.

As part of ACU’s ongoing efforts to keep our campus community as safe as possible, we are providing ongoing surveillance testing. This appointment calendar is for individuals who are NOT experiencing COVID symptoms. If you are symptomatic, please call 325.674.2625 to speak to the ACU Medical Clinic.  Questions may be sent to covidquestions@acu.edu. ACU’s PCR testing is part of a research project with TTUHSC.

This week, we are focusing on protecting our marriages during Covid. Creating a strong marriage is challenging even without Covid, and now these additional stressors can leave partners weary and neglecting their relationship. Can you relate? As we seek to care for our students, children, and other work and life demands, let’s remember to not put our marriages on the back burner. A little reflection and intentionality can be enough to strengthen the marital bond. Check out this article, 5 Quick Ways to Protect Your Marriage During Coronavirus. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and support if the marital distress lingers. Let’s pray for our marriages and support each other along the way.