Dear ACU Community,
We are busy preparing for the return of normal operations this fall in Abilene. I am happy to remind you of the good news about our plans for Fall 2021, which include fully in-person learning and living experiences.
Over this last year, ACU has demonstrated its ability to keep our campus safe even in the midst of a pandemic. Thank you again for the teamwork and selflessness you have demonstrated to help us achieve our goals. With the availability of a vaccine, we are confident we can resume traditional campus operations in and out of the classroom.
Face Coverings and Gatherings
Face coverings are no longer required, and classrooms and residence halls will operate at normal capacity. We are eager to host large Chapel gatherings, welcome fans to athletics events and patrons to fine arts events, as well as offer a full slate of student programs and activities. The pandemic has certainly reminded us how much we value being in one another’s presence, and it has bonded our community in remarkable, even unexpected ways.
Vaccination and Testing
ACU will not require vaccination (except for international travel), but we strongly encourage it for your own health and safety. Vaccination will also minimize disruption to our students’ academic and co-curricular experiences. Fully vaccinated individuals will not need to quarantine if contact tracing reveals they were exposed.
While testing will not be required, it is widely available. Vaccines are offered at no cost at the ACU Medical Clinic, where testing is also available. Please visit acu.edu/medical-and-counseling-care for appointments and other details.
COVID-19 Protocol
Individuals who are vaccinated and exposed will not have to quarantine unless they develop symptoms. Regardless of vaccination, students, faculty and staff who test positive or are exposed should submit the COVID-19 Notification Form and a representative from the ACU Medical Clinic will reach out with instructions.
ACU’s Student Life staff will notify faculty if a student is approved to miss class because of COVID-19; absences for quarantine or isolation will be considered excused absences. Students will continue to be responsible for communicating with each of their faculty members and keeping up with their coursework.
The Abilene campus is designed for in-person learning, and faculty will not be expected to pivot to remote delivery of classes. Rather, each faculty member will consider their course content and provide appropriate alternatives for students who cannot attend in-person classes because of COVID-19 quarantine or isolation. The choice of approach is at the discretion of the individual faculty member and may include remote attendance, asynchronous assignments, or other forms that suit the situation and the course content.
As always, we will continue to monitor the health landscape. Be safe and well, and enjoy your summer. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus in August.
Go Wildcats!
Phil Schubert, Ed.D.
President