Return to Spring Semester for Students

Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs | December 7, 2020

Dear Students,

As the holiday break approaches, I want to congratulate you on your hard work this semester. Overall, our Texas State community has successfully worked together on several fronts – slowing the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses, adjusting to new class schedules and formats, and navigating a semester like no other. 

We care about you and we want you to take care of yourselves throughout the winter break. To stay safe and come back healthy for the spring semester, there are critical steps we need to follow as a university community. The actions outlined below are based on recommendations from our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Emilio Carranco, and state and federal health guidelines. 

In addition to following health and safety measures over the break, such as wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, and washing your hands often, there are two actions you are expected to take before returning to Texas State campuses for the spring semester: 

  • Limit your contact with persons outside your immediate household and practice strict adherence to the CDC social distancing guidelines for 10 days; 
  • Get a COVID-19 test within one week prior to coming back to the university. You can find information about testing locations at TX COVID-19 Test Collection Sites and Curative, Inc. Testing Sites.

Here is some other must-know information, based on the latest CDC guidelines, about test results, isolation, and quarantine:

  • Students who test positive should isolate for 10 days prior to returning to campus and report to Bobcat Trace. 
  • Students who are notified they are a close contact to a positive case should complete a 10-day quarantine prior to returning to campus and report to Bobcat Trace. 
  • If students miss the start of the semester, due to isolation or quarantine, they should contact their instructors to discuss how to manage coursework.
  • The university will be randomly testing throughout the semester. Students are expected to participate and should look for the testing notice in their Texas State email inbox. The testing notice will include information on testing locations and instructions for pre-registering for the test.

Let’s keep up the good work Bobcats and start the spring semester strong! I hope you have a safe and relaxing holiday break.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs