COVID-19 UPDATE
Update 07.01.2021
Information about the Fall 2021 Reactivation can be found on the Safe & Healthy Rams site. Learn what Huston-Tillotson University is doing as we work to reactivate campus for the Fall 2021 semester, and how you can help keep yourself, and your family and friends, safe and healthy.
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All Fall 2020 Semester classes at Huston-Tillotson University are taught online. Students, please click on our Students Learning at a Distance portal to access all of your online campus materials and resources. Faculty and Instructors, please click on our Faculty & Instructors Teaching at a Distance portal to access all of your online campus materials and resources needed to provide an excellent learning experience for our students. Our COVID-19 Student Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be accessed here and our Downs-Jones Library resources are available here. You may also find the CARES Act Compliance information here.
Official Statement from the President (November 29, 2020)
Official Statement from the President (June 18,2020)
Official Statement from the President (March 23, 2020)
Official Statement from the President (March 12, 2020)
Official Statement from the President (March 06, 2020)
Update 05.04.2021
Campus community, our communication with you is of the upmost importance. Each week, our Division of Student Affairs will share with you The Ram Connect, a weekly communication of campus resources and encouragement for HT students, faculty, and staff.
To read this week’s edition of The Ram Connect, click on the photo below!
Update 4.28.2021 Questions and concerns can be emailed to ht_covid-19@htu.edu
Note these CDC guidelines. Choosing Safer Activities | CDC
Green=safest; Yellow=less safe; Red=least safe
Update 4.21.2021 Questions and concerns can be emailed to ht_covid-19@htu.edu
Austin Public Health will pilot walk-up vaccine clinics on April 22nd and April 23rd from 12-7:30 p.m., or until vaccines run out, at the Delco Activity Center (4601 Pecan Brook Dr, Austin, TX 78724). If all vaccine is administered before 7:30 p.m., staff and volunteers will help residents who arrive on-site schedule an appointment to return for their vaccine.
During the walk-up clinics, residents 18 years of age and older can arrive without an appointment. While you do not have to be pre-registered for an appointment, it is highly encouraged that you create an account and pre-register for the vaccine at https://covid19.austintexas.gov before going to the clinic.
Anyone 18 years or older can also log into our online scheduling website (https://covid19.austintexas.gov) today at 7 p.m. to schedule an appointment. Scheduling will close on April 23rd at 7 a.m.
Going forward, the appointment scheduling system will be open from 7 p.m. on Fridays to 7 a.m. the following Friday and will reopen again at 7 p.m. for appointments for the following week. The 12-hour closure of the scheduling system on Fridays will allow APH to finalize the appointment schedule and update appointment times for the following week.
If you cannot access the online scheduling system, please call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000. Call takers can assist with technology issues, account creation, and pre-registration. For additional assistance, they will take your name and number and provide it to APH Equity Hotline for a call back.
Update 3.23.2021 Questions and concerns can be emailed to ht_covid-19@htu.edu
Coronavirus Vaccine
Check your local pharmacy or medical provider for vaccine availability and to complete forms to obtain the vaccine when more segments of the population are added. View the Austin Public Health site for wait list locations. Below are additional resources. All require making an appointment.
Texas Health and Human Services
Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center
Visit your local health department for more appointment slots.
Update 1.6.2021 Questions and concerns can be emailed to ht_covid-19@htu.edu
Operational Updates
Vaccs Facts is a weekly series of COVID-19 vaccine updates published by Austin Public Health. Vaccs Facts Weekly Update – Austin Public Health (mailchi.mp)
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have received an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) received 224,250 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during Week 1 allocation, 620,400 doses in Week 2 allocation, and 380,000 doses in Week 3 allocation. The Austin area has been slated to receive 59,825 doses during the three weeks of allocation.
There are more than 300 pharmacies, doctors’ offices, hospital groups, and other providers signed up to provide COVID-19 vaccines in Austin-Travis County.
DSHS published a FAQ on the vaccine distribution and allocation process on Dec. 31.
APH does not oversee other providers and their individual distribution plans. However, APH is working across the healthcare system and the vaccine coalition to set guidelines that support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DSHS framework for distributionAustin Public Health (APH) received 1,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine on Monday, Dec. 28 and 300 doses on Dec. 29.
APH is operating a closed vaccine clinic for Phase 1A populations, specifically APH direct health care staff, direct health care COVID-19 response staff, Travis County Jail direct health care clinical staff, long-term care staff and residents that are not enrolled with a vaccine provider, school nurses that are not enrolled with another vaccine provider, and other frontline healthcare staff. As of Dec. 31, 740 doses had been distributed with the remainder being distributed this week.
The Austin Public Safety Wellness Center began to distribute its 1,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine for local public safety employees on Monday, Dec. 28. As of Dec. 31, all 1,300 doses had been distributed.
The federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program began in Texas last week. Pharmacy staff will be vaccinating long-term care residents and staff on-site. An additional 121,875 doses of the Pfizer vaccine went toward this program in the Week 3 allocation.
Initial doses of vaccine in Phase 1A are being allocated for frontline healthcare workers and long-term care facility staff and residents, based on the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Guiding Principles from Texas DSHS.
Last week, DSHS released a statement encouraging vaccine providers to begin vaccinating individuals who fall within Phase 1B, which includes those over the age of 65 and people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19.
APH understands from conversations with other providers that the demand for vaccine in Phase 1B is exceeding the supply of many providers across the Austin area, who are still focused on Phase 1A.
Individuals wishing to get the COVID-19 vaccine who are in Phase 1A or Phase 1B should contact the provider they normally receive their vaccines, like their flu shot, from to learn about their process. However, those in Phase 1B should be aware that they may not be able to receive the vaccine until additional supply is available in our community.
APH will not serve as the primary vaccine provider for Austin-Travis County residents, rather, APH will serve as an informational hub and safety net for those without insurance. If more vaccine is provided to APH, we will open large sites in Austin and Travis county for the general public to receive vaccine
Update 11.16.2020 Questions and concerns can be emailed to ht_covid-19@htu.edu
Austin Public Health is offering the following guidelines for holiday gathering. View the full guidelines here.
To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season, Austin Public Health is offering risk guidance for gatherings.
We recommend avoiding all high-risk activities and being cautious with all medium-risk activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Celebrating virtually or with members of your household is the best option this holiday season, but if you still choose to gather traditionally follow Austin Public Health guidance to do so safely.
Low-Risk Activities
Celebrating with members of your household
Decorating your living space
Hosting a virtual gathering with friends and family
Preparing traditional recipes and delivering them in a no-contact manner
Watching holiday-themed movies or shows
Medium-Risk Activities
Hosting a small dinner with local family and friends outdoors
Attending an outdoor gathering
Visiting orchards and tree farms where hand sanitizer is used before touching objects
Having an outdoor parade or movie night
High-Risk Activities
Participating in traditional caroling or other door-to-door activities
Attending crowded, indoor gatherings
Going on hayrides with non-household members
Traveling outside your community for gatherings and events
City of Austin/Travis County Orders
The City of Austin and Travis County extended the “Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe” Orders through December 15, 2020. These orders direct Austin-Travis County residents to continue to practice social distancing, hygiene, and face-covering behaviors. In addition to hygiene guidelines, the orders state that social gatherings up to 10 people should be avoided or minimized, and socializing in groups of 10+ individuals outside of the same household are prohibited. Read the full City of Austin and Travis County Orders.
Update 10.16.2020
Huston-Tillotson University is here to support our students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding is available through the HT Emergency Grant Application, to assist students with challenges that may arise. Read below for additional information regarding the Emergency Grant Application.
Update 08.25.2020
The Center for Academic Innovation and Transformation provides Canvas training weekly. Join us for CANVAS SOS! Sessions and visit our On Demand site for all recordings. Canvas SOS! is offered using Zoom link: https://zoom.us/J/8916403206 Meeting ID: 891 640 3206 Password: HTCAIT. 
Visit the Instructor or Student images above for distance learning support.
City of Austin and Travis County Updates 08.18.2020
The City of Austin and Travis County extended the “Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe” Orders through December 15, 2020. These orders direct Austin-Travis County residents to continue to practice social distancing, hygiene, and face-covering behaviors. In addition to hygiene guidelines, the orders state that social gatherings up to 10 people should be avoided or minimized, and socializing in groups of 10+ individuals outside of the same household are prohibited. Read the full City of Austin and Travis County Orders.
Update 03.12.2020
The health and safety of our entire campus community remain paramount. Thus, we have decided the following: (1) Spring Break will be extended for students by an additional week to March 29th ; (2) Beginning March 30th, ALL classes will move online, until further notice; and (3) Residence halls will close on Sunday, March 15th, and remain closed, until further notice (on-campus residents will receive further instruction from the Office of Residence Life as developments unfold).
Students, during this time-frame, you must do the following: (1) Remain in close contact with your respective Faculty members; (2) Once online classes begin on March 30th , remotely connect to Canvas and Office 365 daily; (3) Sign-up to receive campus alerts and notifications by text message at https://www.getrave.com/login/htu ; and (4) Monitor frequently the University’s web page dedicated to HT’s Coronavirus Preparedness and our official university social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Update 03.06.2020
Huston-Tillotson University values the health and safety of our community; thus, we are monitoring proactively and preventatively the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). HT serves a vital role in our greater Austin community and University officials are asking the members of our HT community to remain vigilant in your daily efforts to prevent the spread of sickness and germs.
Texas
Please visit the websites of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/ and Austin Public Health http://www.austintexas.gov/department/health for timely information about the coronavirus, preparation, and preventative measures from our state and city.
Travis County
Effective June 18, 2020 through August 15, 2020, Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe has ordered all employees and visitors to the commercial entity’s business premises or other facilities wear face coverings when in an area or performing an activity which will necessarily involve close contact or proximity to co-workers or the public where six-feet of separation is not feasible.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Please visit the CDC or HHS websites for additional information about the coronavirus in the United States, preparation, and preventative measures from a national perspective, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Twitter
US Department of Health and Human Services Twitter
International Travel/Study Abroad
Huston-Tillotson University will follow travel recommendations from the CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
Spring Break
This year, Spring Break will occur March 16 – March 29. HT strongly encourages you to consider how the coronavirus may impact your travel plans, both domestically and internationally. Please heed the travel recommendations and advisory notices from local, state, and federal agencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” specifically on Travel at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html
What Huston-Tillotson University Is Doing
Here at Huston-Tillotson University, the health and safety of our community is paramount. HT has already authorized several proactive and preventative measures:
1. President and CEO, Colette Pierce Burnette has convened an HT Pandemic Preparedness team that meets weekly, specifically to monitor the state of the coronavirus and enact the best practices on our campus, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local agencies;
2. Campus facilities will ensure soap dispensers and hand sanitizing stations are filled at all times; and
3. HT updates regarding the coronavirus will be readily available online at our Coronavirus Preparedness campus link and via our official University social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
What You Can Do
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided the following guidance to assist you in remaining vigilant in your daily efforts to prevent the spread of germs:
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty;
2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
4. Stay home when you are sick;
5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash;
6. Don’t share food beverages or smoking devices with others;
7. Practice good health habits by cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe; and
8. Get a flu vaccine if you have not yet done so. Flu vaccines are being administered at the Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center located at 1705 E. 11th Street, Monday – Friday, 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.
How You Can Stay Informed
Huston-Tillotson University will continue to disseminate timely information to our campus community about the coronavirus via this dedicated web page and our official University social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. HT also highly encourages you to stay informed about the coronavirus via trustworthy news sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin Public Health, and the World Health Organization. In the event of extreme emergency, please contact us at this email address, officeofthepresident@htu.edu
Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center
The Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center located on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University and managed by CommUnity Care provides the following practices and guidelines:
We (Central Health) are updating our systems for tracking patient cases, phone calls, and creating alternative ways to care for people during this pandemic. We continue to urge everyone to use basic prevention measures to stay safe, including:Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
1. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
3. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
5. Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of a facemask is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
6. Wash your hands often with soap and war, water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Lastly, people with no insurance and no established provider experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms should call CommUnityCare at 512.978.9015. CommUnityCare will triage people over the phone and send them to the appropriate location. We are following CDC rapid-response protocols and asking people with no established provider to call the number above rather than come in to prevent any potential spread of the virus.
Click here to read the complete Central Health statement.
Self, Family and Children Coping Guidelines
These tools are helpful for managing the day-to-day challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic:
Central Texas African American Family Support Conference Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook
Integral Care 24/7 Mental Health Support Services
Helping Families Cope with COVID-19
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Coping with Stress
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Training and Technical Assistance
Your Guide to Helpful Resources |
