SAN ANGELO, Texas — It's hard to believe, but the fall semester for west Texas colleges and universities will begin in just a few weeks. It can be hard to keep track of all of the rules and changes occurring on campuses from COVID-19, so we made a comprehensive list including Angelo State, Abilene Christian and McMurry University.
Here are those universities housing plans:
- Angelo State University is still holding 'Ram Round-up.' Students who are attending will move into their residence hall on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 9. Move-in for all other students will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 12. ASU says check-in times will be staggered to maintain social distancing protocols.
- All residence halls will be open this fall at Abilene Christian University. First-year students will move in on August 16. Upperclassmen will move in between August 15-23. The university says there will be enhanced sanitization procedures, wellness guidance and resources available for health screenings.
- McMurry University has not released its housing guidelines at this time.
Face coverings requirements:
- Angelo State, Abilene Christian, and McMurry University require students and staff to wear masks while in the presence of others.
- Angelo State and Abilene Christian make exceptions for students in their personal residence hall room, or while eating and drinking.
- ASU will also be giving out ASU-branded face coverings free of charge at multiple locations throughout campus.
Health Screenings:
- Angelo State University will require students living on campus and off-campus to complete an online health screening every morning before classes. Once the screening is completed each day, students will receive an electronic badge that will give them access to buildings across campus and ASU sponsored events off-campus.
- McMurry is requiring students and staff to take health screenings online every day. Those who are exhibiting symptoms or whose temperature is 100.4 or higher will be asked to stay home. Guests coming to campus will also be asked to take health screenings.
- Abilene Christian has not said if they will be requiring daily health screenings, but COVID-19 testing will be provided free of charge and screening resources will be available in residence halls and classrooms.
Classrooms and capacities:
- ACU, McMurry and ASU are all operating with hybrid modules. The classrooms at these universities have been modified to meet social distancing standards, with six-foot distancing between desks.
- ACU has adjusted class schedules to allow 20 minutes in between classes to ensure all classrooms are disinfected between each session. Additionally, class schedules are being staggered to avoid large gatherings at The Bean or other common areas.
Semester schedules:
- Angelo State, Abilene Christian and McMurry University will all be starting classes on August 24 and going until November 24. At that point, Angelo State's semester will be complete. Abilene Christian and McMurry, however, will continue their semesters remotely, online and finish in December.