As the omicron-driven surge peaks in Texas, once again Trinity faculty, staff, students, and parents have rallied to ProtecTU. While Trinity University’s health and wellness workgroup is not as concerned about the severity of disease caused by the new variant, the scale of infection is unprecedented.
“Our goal is not to reduce case counts to zero; that’s unrealistic, and we all agree we must begin to find ways to live with COVID-19,” says Tess Coody-Anders ’93, vice president for Strategic Communications and Marketing. “Instead, we are trying to protect our operational integrity. If everyone is out sick with COVID-19, it would severely disrupt our ability to learn, live and work on campus—in person or remotely.”
As such, the following changes have been implemented as students, faculty, and staff return to campus.
Campus Opening Dates
Residence halls will reopen beginning Tuesday, Jan. 25. In addition, campus will open to off-campus students beginning Tuesday, Jan. 25, and dining services will be available. Campus facilities, such as the Bell Athletic Center, will be closed until then. In-person classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 31. All but the most essential employees and those who cannot work from home will be asked to work remotely until Monday, Jan. 17.
Important Protocols for Return to Campus
All students should seek and receive a negative COVID-19 test before coming back to campus. Please test within 72 hours of your return. An at-home rapid antigen test is acceptable and can be used by students who have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days. Students do not need to report negative results, and should report a positive result by contacting the COVID Health Team immediately.
Upon arrival, students who have not had COVID-19 in the last 90 days will be required to repeat a baseline COVID-19 test. Students are asked to use this link to sign up for a testing time and date Jan. 25-28, or on Jan. 31 in Murchison Hall—whichever is closest to their date of return.
Students should begin use of the ProtecTU Daily Health Check 72 hours before a return to campus, and be sure to report any symptoms to the COVID Health Team. If sick, students should assume it’s COVID-19 until determined otherwise.
Before returning to campus, employees will be required to undergo baseline testing. Details will be provided on testing dates and times in future emails.
New Updates to ProtecTU Protocols
In keeping with CDC and NCAA guidance, the new definition of “fully vaccinated” includes a booster shot for those who are eligible. Eligible individuals are asked to provide documentation of a booster by Jan. 12 or as soon as possible thereafter. Individuals who are fully vaccinated (either received their primary COVID-19 vaccine series but are not yet eligible for a booster, or are eligible and have received the booster) will not be required to quarantine if exposed.
Isolation and quarantine protocols are also being amended to reflect CDC and NCAA guidance. Please continue to check the COVID-19 site for those updates.
Masks will be required in all public indoor spaces. KN95 masks are highly recommended and preferred; if not available, consider using a surgical mask under a two-ply cloth mask.
Students are encouraged to check email, the COVID-19 website, and social media for any additional updates. Finally, email nervecenter@trinity.edu with questions about ProtecTU Protocols.
The spring academic calendar has also been revised to account for the new Jan. 31 start date for class. Although the loss of instructional time this semester will be minimal, Trinity has asked its faculty to begin thinking about how best to shorten their courses while avoiding an increase to students’ weekly workloads. The dates for Spring Break remain unchanged, while the date for spring commencement has been pushed by one week to May 21. View the new calendar online.
“In 22 months of the pandemic, we have never seen such rapid spread of the virus. While early indicators are that omicron is not causing severe illness, we cannot operate fully as a campus if large numbers of students, faculty, and staff are out sick. Thank you for helping us limit the spread so that we can be together in person soon,” Coody-Anders says.
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