COVID-19 Checkup 05-06-2021
May 6, 2021
Bearkat Community,
WOW! What a year it has been, but you made it! While the unforeseen challenges due to COVID-19 have distinctly shaped our university’s course over the past year, we are all so proud of your resiliency and care for your fellow students and campus community. As we all look to the future, we are confident that we will continue to learn, but more importantly, we will continue to persevere. Please continue to monitor the university’s website for updates regarding COVID-19 protocols.
To all the graduating seniors: we recognize that this was a very challenging way to end your career at Sam Houston State. We are extremely proud of our 2020 graduates and are so glad we can celebrate with you, in-person, at Commencement next week. We wish you the greatest success during this extraordinary period and into the future.
Where can I get vaccinated?
All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to get vaccinated wherever it’s available, whether through the SHC or through a variety of other sources. Vaccinations are an important part of the university’s mitigation strategies as we plan to facilitate a safe return to campus this fall. Are you still in need of a COVID-19 vaccine? No problem! Now, you don’t need to leave campus to get vaccinated.
Huntsville Campus
Beginning Friday, May 7, the Student Health Center is offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All SHSU faculty, staff and students wanting a COVID-19 vaccine can self-schedule an appointment by logging in to the Patient Portal. Once scheduled, the SHC will send you a confirmation email and direct you to consent forms which must be completed prior to your appointment. Ultimately, we hope you will seek access to the vaccine wherever it’s available according to your schedule.
The Woodlands Center
On Wednesday, May 12, the Student Health Center will be at The Woodlands Center to provide free, Johnson & Johnson vaccinations (one dose) to faculty, staff and students from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Sam Houston Room.
To self-schedule your COVID-19 vaccination at TWC, visit the Patient Portal on the SHC’s website. Click Search for Group Appointment and select “COVID 19 Vaccine TWC Campus ONLY” as the reason. Once scheduled, the SHC will send you a confirmation email and direct you to consent forms which must be completed prior to your appointment.
Where can I test?
Throughout the summer, the SHC will offer the following free testing options:
Diagnostic PCR testing
- Students who are symptomatic or have been exposed should call the SHC at 936.294.1805 to schedule an appointment
- Faculty/staff should call their medical provider
Rapid Antigen BinaxNOW testing (asymptomatic screening testing)
- For faculty, staff and students, beginning May 10
- Self-schedule through the Patient Portal; select appointment reason CO19Test
CDC Updates
The CDC recently expanded guidance for fully vaccinated individuals:
2 weeks after Janssen J&J vaccine, OR 2 weeks after second Moderna or Pfizer dose, people can:
- Refrain from COVID-19 testing following an exposure, if asymptomatic
- Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
- Refrain from routine screening testing if asymptomatic
- Get tested if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms
Help us help you
As we look ahead and begin preparations for the Fall semester, it is important that we still keep some mitigation strategies in place until we have a better understanding of new COVID-19 variants and vaccination rates among our campus community. This week, the university began randomly surveying faculty and staff on vaccinations and students will be surveyed over the summer. Please take the time to fill out this short survey as understanding how many in our campus community have been vaccinated is one component that will help facilitate a safe return to campus.
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. To see the current number of cases, visit Dashboard Updates.
REMINDER: If you received a positive COVID-19 test, please self-report your results immediately so we may ensure our dashboard is as accurate as possible.
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 |