Huston-Tillotson University Will Go Remote As Omicron Surges

Austin TX

05 January, 2022

4:02 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Huston-Tillotson University will go to remote learning starting next week as coronavirus cases, particularly the omicron variant, continue to surge nationwide. The school announced Tuesday it would begin remote learning on Monday, Jan. 10 and push in-person instruction to Monday, Jan. 24. Officials said the response comes after Austin-Travis County moved back to Stage 4 in it COVID-19 protocol guidelines as cases surge in the area. "We are continuing our close monitoring of the public health situation and following the science to put protocols, procedures, and guidelines in place to ensure a safe and healthy campus environment," university president Colette Pierce Burnette said in a letter to students on Tuesday. Officials said residence halls will reopen as planned for move-in on Friday. The Office of Residence Life will contact residential students directly to facilitate their return to campus. Students who have not yet picked up their Microsoft Surface should reach out to HT InformationTechnology to have a device sent to them when remote classes begin, officials said. School officials said they will continue to use the HT Ram Check mobile app for access to campus. Students are asked to get in touch with the Safe & Healthy Rams coordinator for assistance at [email protected] and 512.505.3019. Students are also asked to report any positive COVID-19 test results, symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case on HT Ram Check. "Masks will continue to be required in all indoor public and common spaces on campus andstrongly encouraged outdoors when unable to physically distance," Burnette said. "All students must have either a COVID-19 vaccination record or approved exemption on filewith the University." Students are asked to submit those documents to [email protected]. Routine COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics will continue through the Spring semester. The university encourages students to get vaccinated and their booster shots to ensure their protection against hospitalization and symptomatic infection. "What remains paramount is the overall well-being of members of our campus community by maintaining safe and healthy living, learning, and teaching environments," Burnette said.