Preparing for a Successful Fall

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Classes resume in three weeks, and we’d like to reiterate some recommendations and precautions that will make the fall semester successful for students, faculty, and staff.

Vaccinations – our ability to return to normalcy depends on everyone doing their part to ensure their own safety and the safety of others. The most significant action you can take is to be fully vaccinated. Because the Delta variant of COVID-19 is so contagious, it is possible that up to 80% of those who are unvaccinated could contract it. Thankfully, the vaccines are still more than 99% effective against the Delta variant in terms of preventing serious symptoms and hospitalizations. Our ability to be together successfully works best when everyone is fully vaccinated.

Memorial Hermann Southwest, next door to the University, is offering free, walk-in vaccinations every weekday morning from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Or, simply search COVID vaccines near me to find any number of providers close to you. If you are not fully vaccinated, please do so as soon as possible!

Quarantining –we will still require faculty, staff, or students who test positive and/or have COVID related symptoms to quarantine. Because our residence halls will be full this fall, any student who develops COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive for the virus will be required to quarantine at home or move off campus temporarily. Please take into consideration that we will not have the option for students to attend classes virtually this year. Accommodations during a quarantine situation may be requested, but will not be guaranteed. Any special requests will need to be coordinated with your faculty members individually, and may not be granted.

Facilities – all classrooms, gathering spaces, and buildings on campus will be back to 100% capacity. Our ARAMARK facility services will continue to sanitize diligently, and the CIMR system units will still be fully operational. However, faculty still reserve the right to request that students wear masks in class, especially those not fully vaccinated. Move-in Day for students living in the residence halls will be on August 26, and commuter check-in will be the morning of Aug. 27. The Welcome Days orientation program for both residential and commuter students begins the afternoon of Aug. 27. Classes begin on Aug. 30, and we believe it’s going to be a great semester!

God bless and thank you for helping us prepare for a successful fall.