COVID-19 Checkup
January 28, 2020
Thank you Bearkats for continually supporting our COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts. We are now two weeks into the semester and remain cautiously optimistic as we follow state and local case trends. Because of your flexibility and diligence, as of yesterday, the university was able to lift the two-week moratorium on events. The health and safety of faculty, staff, students and guests remains the top priority. There are risks associated with gatherings, so we will be providing new guidance regarding hosting indoor and outdoor events. All other health and safety rules remain in effect, including mandatory distancing, masks and other protocols.
Together, we can keep Sam Houston State healthy!
COVID-19 Town Hall
Join Dr. Drew Miller and a panel of guests at a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, February 3 at 3 p.m. as they answer questions from faculty, staff and students about COVID-19 and provide the latest updates on the university’s response to the coronavirus pandemicdd
To join the live event, log in to Blackboard with your SHSU username and password. Select "COVID-19 Town Hall" from the main screen.
FREE COVID-19 Testing Now Offered to Faculty and Staff!
Where: SHC Health Hut
When: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
No appointment necessary
SHSU faculty and staff can now be tested at the SHC for asymptomatic screening. In order to be tested at the SHC, employees need to do the following:
- Visit the SHC website to access the patient portal
- Log in with your single sign on (SSO) credentials to access your account
- Select the Insurance tab to add your insurance information
- Bring your SAM ID to test
All testing samples will be processed through the SHC’s lab, CPL. Individuals will receive their results through a secure message in their patient portal in approximately 24 to 48 hours.
Student Testing - COVID-19 – Asymptomatic Screening
Where: SHC Health Hut
When: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
No appointment necessary
The testing provided by the SHC is for asymptomatic screening. In order to be tested at the SHC, students need to do the following:
- Be a current SHSU student
- Bring your SAM ID to test
- Log into the Patient Portal on the SHC homepageand upload insurance information OR if uninsured, add your driver’s license information
- If you are uninsured, testing is covered under the CARES Act
COVID-19 Testing – Symptomatic
- Students: If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, seek medical care at the SHC
- Faculty/Staff: If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, seek medical care through your medical provider
Coping with COVID-19 Support Group
According to Inside Higher Ed, uncertainty, instability and self-doubt have been common themes in the lives of college students during 2020 as their education and career plans shift due to the coronavirus pandemic. To help our Bearkats cope with heightened stress and anxiety, the Counseling Center has started a weekly COVID-19 Support Group every Monday from 2 to 3 p.m. This is a private space for SHSU students to share their thoughts and experiences and learn practical strategies to cope with the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interested students should call the SHSU Counseling Center at 936-294-1720 for a brief screening.
COVID Conversations
Taking a COVID-19 test at the Student Health Center? The test is different from the oral swab test previously administered. Watch this video to see how easy this testing is in this week’s COVID Conversations. The goal of COVID Conversations is to provide clarity on how our campus community is navigating the pandemic. We encourage faculty, staff and students to continue to submit their pandemic-related questions to COVID19@SHSU.edu.
COVID-19 Updates
Weekly updates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 will continue to be added to the university’s dashboard every Monday through Friday, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Since data is constantly evolving, we are currently looking at improvements to our COVID-19 Dashboard. To see the current number of cases, visit Dashboard Updates.
COVID-19 Work Group
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Drew Miller | Student Affairs |
| Brian Loft | Academic Affairs |
| Robert Williams | Health Center |
| Joellen Tipton | Residence Life |
| Ann Theodori | SAM Center |
| Stephanie Knific | Marketing & Communications |
| Rachel Shorter | Tech/Desktop Services |
| Dustin LeNorman | Athletics |
| Matt Roberts | Facilities Services |
| Rhonda Beassie | Human Resources |
| Candace Walkley | College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| Erica Bumpurs | Health Center |
| Mary-Katherine Breen | Academic Success Center |
| Wayne Barrett | College of Arts & Media |
| Anne Gaillard | Biology/College of Science & Engineering Technology |
| Steve Jeter | Public Safety |
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Jerrell Sherman | Dean of Students Office |
| Jessica Smith | Human Resources |
| Rachel Valle | Student Activities |
| Clint Lockwood | Enrollment Management |
| Terry Blaylock | Client Services |
| Kristy Vienne | Auxiliary Services |
| Bill Angrove | SHSU Online |
| Julie Schwab | Provost's Office |