Coronavirus Updates and Campus Plans

While members of our community typically experience illness and flu-like symptoms this time of year, COVID-19 can only develop if exposed to a COVID-19 carrier. If you are feeling unwell, take the normal recommended precautions. The symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus infection include a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, a dry cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.

Students should complete the St. Mary’s University COVID-19 Illness Student Self-Reporting Form in the Rattler Patient Portal if they have:

Symptoms (fever of 100.4 F or higher, cough and/or shortness of breath), AND
Have been in close contact with an individual that is confirmed positive for COVID-19; AND/OR
Traveled to a high-risk location that has multiple community-transmitted confirmed cases

For additional questions, students can call the Student Health Center at 210-436-3506.

If you are a member of the faculty or staff experiencing flu-like symptoms, stay at home and contact your health care provider.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for additional information about the coronavirus and influenza.

Everyone should follow the same general precautions recommended during flu seasons, avoid contact with people who are sick and stay home if you have a respiratory illness or a fever. The steps below are the current recommendations by the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services to help limit the spread of viruses including the flu and common cold.

Wearing your mask is your option. Effective Monday, May 23, 2022, mask-wearing will be optional in all spaces — indoors and outdoors — on campus, including in classrooms. Face masks will continue to be required in the Student Health Center and some private offices. Please comply with members of our community who request face masks to be worn in their private workspaces.
Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
Get a flu shot. Flu vaccines are available to students at the Student Health Center. Call 210-436-3506 for an appointment or for more information.
Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Cover your cough or sneeze. Toss used tissues in a wastebasket and wash your hands afterward.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Limit handshaking.
Wipe down exercise equipment, doorknobs, keyboards, telephone handles, etc., on a frequent basis throughout the day with disinfectant wipes or sprays.

This document contains additional detail about St. Mary’s cleaning procedures.

Are you wondering when or whether you should get tested for COVID-19? Read this post about a few things UT Health San Antonio infectious disease experts want you to know about testing.

Please join us in taking the Protect St. Mary’s Pledge to keep our community healthy.

Aug. 18, 2022

From: Tom Mengler, J.D., President

Subject: CDC COVID-19 Guidance Updated and Monkeypox Awareness

CDC COVID-19 Guidance Updated

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 guidance for quarantine and isolation. St. Mary’s will continue to follow CDC guidance using these new updates for students and employees who are ill or exposed to COVID-19.

The primary change in the guidance is that after two negative COVID-19 tests after Day 5 of isolation, you may return to work while continuing to wear your mask through Day 10. Employees and students should test twice after Day 5 and report those results before returning to work or classes.

Monkeypox Awareness

In several countries, including the United States, there has been an outbreak of the monkeypox virus. The virus, transmitted primarily through intimate contact with an infected individual, has recently been declared a national health emergency. However, at this time, the current risk to the public remains low.

Information about the virus is available on the CDC website. We encourage everyone to be informed about monkeypox and learn more about protecting yourself and others from getting or being exposed to it, especially if you feel at risk.

Students who have symptoms of monkeypox or have been exposed to the virus are expected to inform the Student Health Center, stay home and follow the isolation guidance provided by the Student Health Center’s medical team. More information about monkeypox is available on this CDC factsheet.

Students can contact Dr. Chip Malouf, the new medical director of the Student Health Center, at 210-436-3506 to help with more specific questions about monkeypox. Employees should reach out to their health care provider for assistance.

To: St. Mary’s University Faculty, Staff and Students

From: Tom Mengler, J.D., President

Subject: Be Responsible and Respectful – COVID-19 is on the Rise

July 27, 2022

The face mask is a powerful defense against COVID-19. As COVID-19 cases are rising again, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reminds us that wearing a face mask is one of the most powerful defenses to slow and stop the spread.

Our St. Mary’s policy makes wearing a face mask optional on campus and in classrooms unless you are following required protocols for COVID-19 exposure and illness or visiting the Student Health Center. Because the current strains of the virus are milder, we are continuing with our current policy. However, knowing that COVID-19 is easily transmissible, we ask that you be responsible and respectful of others.

If you develop symptoms, be responsible and stay home and test for COVID-19. Free government-issued test kits are still available online, if you have not reached your limit, and the Curative COVID-19 testing kiosk will be on campus (Lot G) through Oct. 13, 2022. However, the cost for a Curative test is $99, which will be collected if you are unable to provide your medical insurance information. Most insurance, including St. Mary’s employee and student medical insurance, covers the Curative fee.

Be responsible and report cases of COVID-19 illnesses. Employees report to the Office of Human Resources, and students to the Student Health Center. We continue to follow the CDC guidance for quarantine and isolation protocols when exposed to or ill with the virus.

Be respectful of those who wear face coverings in public or want them worn in their private or office spaces.

The St. Mary’s housekeeping team continues its enhanced cleaning protocols established at the start of the pandemic. The St. Mary’s Critical Incidents Response Team (CIRT) meets regularly to monitor CDC guidance and COVID-19 cases.

Engaging in person as a community is at the heart of a St. Mary’s educational experience. Since the pandemic began, students entering this fall will, for the first time, fully share in the tradition of community with family spirit that flourishes when we gather in person.

To: St. Mary’s University Faculty, Staff and Students

From: Tom Mengler, J.D., President

Subject: Masks Optional in Classrooms – Beginning Monday, May 23, 2022

The pandemic is not over, but signs show that it is regressing, and the virus is less severe. With this understanding, the University plans to return to normal operations, including lifting the mask mandate in classrooms beginning Monday, May 23, 2022.

Mask-wearing will be optional in all spaces — indoors and outdoors — on campus. Face masks will continue to be required in the Student Health Center and some private offices. Please comply with members of our community who request face masks to be worn in their private workspaces.

St. Mary’s encourages getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, as well as a flu shot, and wearing face masks when feeling ill with any COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.

Employees should continue to report COVID-19 illnesses to the Office of Human Resources and students to the Student Health Center. Also, following protocols for isolation and quarantine are still required to minimize a surge of the virus among our campus community.

The Critical Incident Response Team will continue to monitor guidance by public health officials and pivot, if necessary, to reinstate the requirements.

Feb. 23, 2022

To:       St. Mary’s University Community

From:  Tom Mengler, President

Re:       Change in the Face Mask Requirement and Remote Working Arrangements, Effective Monday, Feb. 28

Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not yet announced easing face mask recommendations, we feel it is safe to ease the requirement and end remote working arrangements at St. Mary’s University because of the decline of cases on campus and locally.

Changes in Face Mask Requirement

This morning, the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) agreed to ease the University’s face mask requirement on campus in public spaces. Effective Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, face masks will be optional for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, except for students in classrooms. Faculty who can maintain 6 feet of distance from students in the classroom will have the option of not wearing a face mask when teaching.Face masks will continue to be required in the Student Health Center. Please also comply with members of our community who request face masks to be worn in their private workspaces.St. Mary’s encourages getting the COVID-19 vaccine, booster, as well as a flu shot, and wearing face masks when feeling ill with any COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.

Changes in Remote Working Arrangements

As omicron cases continue to decline on campus, in San Antonio and across the nation, we feel employees can safely return to offices. Remote working arrangements effectively end this week. Beginning Monday, Feb. 28, employees should return to working on campus.CIRT will continue to monitor guidance by public health officials and pivot, if necessary, to reinstate the requirements.

Dec. 31, 2021

To:       St. Mary’s University Community

From:  Tom Mengler, President

Re:       Spring 2022 campus plans

As we prepare for the start of the Spring 2022 semester, the Critical Incidents Response Team (CIRT) is determining appropriate protocols for the health and safety of our campus community. In light of the current and expected impacts of the COVID-19 omicron variant, classes for undergraduates, graduate and Ph.D. students will be delayed until Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. The School of Law will begin classes on Monday, Jan. 10 as planned. All classes will be in-person unless previously designated as virtual.

Beginning Jan. 12, we encourage students to log into their Canvas courses frequently to check for assignments that might be required to limit the loss of instruction. Class time will not be made up, and spring break will go forward as planned.

Residence halls will be available for students starting Sunday, Jan. 9, although students are welcome to wait closer to the start of classes to move in, particularly local residents. All residents will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test (non-antigen) taken within two days of arriving on campus.

Campus dining services will be available starting Sunday, Jan. 9, although hours and/or locations may be reduced.

We encourage students, faculty and staff to take advantage of the delay in classes by getting fully vaccinated, which now includes a booster shot (see information below about on-campus vaccination and testing opportunities).

University offices will open as planned on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. As a reminder to employees, if you don’t feel well, don’t come in. This is why our generous sick leave policy is in place.

As health officials continue bracing for the Omicron variant’s impact on San Antonio, what seems clear is that symptoms of omicron are less severe than other strains, especially among those who are fully vaccinated including a booster. We also know that continuing to wear a face mask is key to limiting the spread, and face masks will continue to be required for everyone inside campus buildings.

Keep in mind these protocols are not a guarantee that our campus will be free from COVID-19 this spring. Rather, they are intended to help us manage the pandemic’s impact in a way that allows us to live, work and study on campus. Please review current coronavirus-related policies, including mask-wearing, COVID-19 testing requirements, quarantine, isolation and self-reporting.

Employees and students should self-report any positive COVID-19 tests occurring during the winter break, and continue self-reporting new cases throughout the spring semester.

Employee Self-Report Form

Student Self-Report Form

Get Your Vaccine Doses and Boosters on Campus

We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted with a booster dose. Being fully vaccinated including a booster – “Vaxxed to the Max!” – is important to the health and safety of our campus community. 

This spring, the Texas National Guard’s Mobile Vaccination Unit will be on campus to administer first, second and booster doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. This is a walk-in clinic. You must bring your COVID-19 vaccination card with you to get your second or booster dose. (The Mobile Unit will not have the appropriate doses for administering vaccinations to children under 12 years of age.)

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccinations
Wednesdays – Jan. 12, Feb. 9, and March 9
3 to 5 p.m.
Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center, Movement Studio

COVID-19 Testing On Campus

Appointments can be scheduled with Curative for PCR tests from the COVID-19 Testing Kiosk located in Parking Lot G near the Culebra Road entrance through Oct. 13, 2022.

Find information about eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. 

A message from Thomas Mengler, J.D., President:

As we begin to gather in person on campus in classes, events and activities, I want to take this opportunity to clarify the St. Mary’s face mask requirements. Because the pandemic is not over, we will continue to monitor and adjust our requirements as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our local government.

Please stay informed of the St. Mary’s mask-wearing and COVID-19-testing requirements by accessing the St. Mary’s Coronavirus and Campus Plans webpage. Posts are dated, and faculty, staff and students will be expected to follow requirements under the most recent post.

Soon, you will begin to see signs around campus with a QR code for easy access to St. Mary’s mask-wearing requirements and other information, including how to submit proof of vaccination and which personnel are authorized to collect that proof.

Everyone is responsible for his or her own face mask while on campus. However, St. Mary’s-branded masks are available for purchase in the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and the University will keep a supply of disposable masks for emergency use. That supply will be shared with the front desk in the Cotrell Learning Commons during the first few weeks for students who might occasionally forget their masks when headed to class.

A recent survey shows that 87% of our faculty and staff have been fully COVID-19 vaccinated. Our preliminary data from students is trending similarly. Getting vaccinated is critical to fulfilling our pledge, so if you have not yet received your shot, it’s not too late. The Texas National Guard Mobile Unit will administer the Pfizer vaccine on the following days, from 3 to 6 p.m., in the Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center, Movement Studio. No appointment is necessary.

Friday, Aug. 13
Wednesday, Aug. 18
Thursday, Aug. 19

The Mobile Unit will be back on campus to administer second doses as well.

Let’s continue our commitment to the pledge. As members of our Marianist university, we take all necessary steps to protect ourselves, to protect each other and to protect the San Antonio community in which we live, study and work.

A message from Thomas Mengler, J.D., President:

Greetings members of St. Mary’s community — students, faculty and staff. I hope you are looking forward as much as I am to the beginning of the fall semester — now just a few weeks away — the beginning of an academic year in which our campus community will be physically together and classes, events and activities will be primarily in person.As you may recall, last year about this time, I asked you to take a pledge — a pledge to protect St. Mary’s. At that time, we were in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. A year ago, we were at the front end of the pandemic — with all of its unknowns and all of its uncertainties.A year ago, I asked each member of our Marianist university to take all necessary steps to protect oneself, to protect each other and to protect the San Antonio community in which we live, study and work.

The pandemic is not over. The arrival of the Delta variant has led to significant increases in the COVID-19 infection rate in the last few weeks in San Antonio and nationally. Hospitalizations have greatly increased locally and nationally. The number of COVID-19-related deaths has risen too.

Consequently, the need for each member of the St. Mary’s community to protect oneself, to protect each other, and to protect our family and friends is just as urgent today as it was a year ago.As you may know, on Tuesday the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) modified its guidance to address this surge nationally, and so St. Mary’s also is modifying its guidance and requirements. As we have done since the pandemic began, the St. Mary’s community will follow this new CDC guidance. Indeed, we are going a step further in requiring masking in certain circumstances because of the frequent close and lengthy interactions of a residential university campus.Today, we announce the following requirements and recommendations, which take effect immediately.

Most importantly, I strongly urge you to take a vital step, if you have not already — the step that is most likely to protect you and others. Please become vaccinated now.

I ask you as a member of St. Mary’s University dedicated to our mission — not only as a Catholic Marianist community that cares for each other — but, as a university — and, as such, a community of scholars who value reason and evidence-based, data-driven decision-making.St. Mary’s has been successful this past year — we have done an excellent job of protecting our community — because we have made and will continue to make decisions based on the data-driven guidance of the scientific and public health communities.Regarding this question of vaccination, the evidence is clear. In San Antonio, Texas and our nation, 95% of people who have become ill in the past few weeks from COVID-19 are unvaccinated.Nationally, 97% of people currently suffering in hospitals from the most deadly COVID-19 symptoms are unvaccinated. In other words, those of you who are unvaccinated are also — by far — those most likely to become ill. You are the most likely to become seriously ill. You are also those most likely to spread the virus to your loved ones, to friends and family, and to others who are perhaps more vulnerable to serious illness than you.Please protect yourself and others by becoming vaccinated now.

Effective Immediately — Modified Requirements for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals

First, we ask vaccinated employees and students to submit proof of vaccination — a copy of your vaccination card – as soon as possible and no later than Aug. 31, 2021. If you are an employee, please submit a copy of your vaccination card either in person or by email to Human Resources at humanresources@stmarytx.edu. If you are a student, please submit a copy of your vaccination card to the Student Health Center either in person or by logging in to the Rattler Patient Portal and go to the upload page.

Second, we will continue our University policy with respect to unvaccinated employees and students who must wear a mask at all times on campus — outdoors as well as indoors — and at all University activities and events off-campus. Failing to comply with mask requirements could result in student and employee discipline, including the possibility of dismissal or termination.

Third, employees and students who have not submitted proof of vaccination will be deemed to be unvaccinated until they submit proof as described above. They will be required to participate in all University COVID-19 mitigation strategies. These strategies will include, as noted above, that an unvaccinated individual must wear a mask at all times on campus and at University activities and events off-campus.Other measures will include weekly COVID-19 testing and verification for employees and students who have not submitted proof of vaccination. Testing is free of charge at the Curative site on campus through Oct. 13, 2022, or any of Curative’s other locations. The weekly testing requirement for employees and students who have not submitted proof of vaccination begins the week of Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, or as soon as you arrive on campus for the fall semester. It is recommended that employees and students keep their weekly test results. These same individuals will be expected to comply with periodic surveillance testing.

Fourth, vaccinated employees and students — i.e., those who have submitted proof of vaccination — must wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission on campus and University activities and events off-campus. For our purposes, those areas include all classrooms during class time, the Cotrell Learning Commons, all group meetings, gatherings and special events indoors. Failure to follow this mask requirement may also result in discipline.

Fifth, with regard to individuals with known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you are required, if an employee, to report your exposure to Human Resources and, if you are a student, you are required to report your exposure to Student Health Center. Everyone is required to follow CDC guidelines for quarantine and isolation times.

Fully vaccinated individuals, who have submitted proof of vaccination, do not need to quarantine if they have exposure unless exhibiting symptoms. However, these individuals are asked to wear a mask for 10 days after exposure as a precautionary measure.
Unvaccinated individuals and individuals who have not submitted proof of vaccination with exposure must quarantine for seven days provided they get tested on day five and not sooner.
Anyone (vaccinated or unvaccinated) who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 10 days from the test date or first appearance of symptoms.

My hope and prayer are that if we at St. Mary’s protect ourselves and each other, we will be able to lift these more restrictive measures in the coming weeks.

I assure you that I and our leadership team will both stay informed about any changes in national, state and local public health guidance and continue to make evidence-based, data-driven decisions in the best interests of St. Mary’s community, your family and friends, and San Antonio.

God bless you and your families as we pray for your continued health and safety and a successful academic year at St. Mary’s University.

A message from Thomas Mengler, J.D., President:

It is with gratitude that St. Mary’s University gives the gift of relief days to employees for their commitment and dedication to supporting changes that protected our community and promoted a healthy living and learning environment for our students during the pandemic.

Beginning June 18 through July 16, 2021, employees are invited to take Fridays off, as COVID-19 relief days, to relax, do things they enjoy, and spend time with family and friends. While the campus will remain open for essential services, employees who need to be on campus during those relief days should work with their supervisors to schedule equivalent time off.

Benefit for Fully Vaccinated Employees

Also, fully COVID-19 vaccinated employees are encouraged to take a copy of their vaccination card to the Office of Human Resources to receive your special gift cards totaling $75, redeemable anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, and your “COVID-19 Vaccinated” button.

If you have not yet received your vaccine, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. The gift card benefit for fully COVID-19 vaccinated employees will be available for pick up through Aug. 31, 2021.

Mask-Wearing on Campus

Beginning Monday, May 24, the University started enforcing CDC guidance for mask-wearing that was announced on May 13, 2021. Fully vaccinated individuals can participate in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. However, faculty, staff and students who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks while on campus, indoors and outdoors, unless they are in their private work or study spaces and practicing social distancing.

Thank you for keeping our community safe.

A message from William Buhrman, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs:

We are ready to welcome everyone back to campus to work and learn. With an overwhelming number of our community members vaccinated, we are confident everyone can return safely to campus. Beginning Wednesday, June 9, 2021, offices will provide in-person services once again. Engaging with each other in person is central to the Marianist educational experience that fosters the development of a community.

Mask-Wearing on Campus
Beginning this week, the University has implemented the CDC guidance for mask-wearing that was announced on May 13, 2021. Fully vaccinated individuals can participate in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. However, faculty, staff and students who are not fully vaccinated must wear masks while on campus, indoors and outdoors, unless they are in their private work or study spaces and practicing social distancing. 

Self-Reporting and Quarantine Reminders
St. Mary’s will continue to expect students to self-report if showing symptoms for COVID-19, and require faculty, staff and students to follow the updated CDC guidelines for quarantine times.

Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine if they have exposure, unless exhibiting symptoms.
Unvaccinated individuals with exposure quarantine for seven days provided they get tested on day five and not sooner. 
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 10 days from the test date or first appearance of symptoms. 

We look forward to everyone returning to campus and gathering in community again without social distancing.

A message from Thomas Mengler, J.D., President:

We are ready to welcome everyone back to working on campus. With an overwhelming number of our faculty and staff already vaccinated, we are confident employees can return safely to campus on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, and begin preparations for students to return in person this fall.

Engaging with each other in person, as families do, is central to the Marianist educational experience that fosters the development of a community. We hope you use these summer weeks, before the students arrive, to grow comfortable with returning to campus and benefiting from working together in person.

The University’s work-from-home arrangements implemented at the beginning of the pandemic will no longer be in effect after Tuesday, June 8, 2021. If you need special work or office accommodations that qualify under ADA guidelines, please contact the Office of Human Resources and complete the appropriate documentation for your request.

Welcome Back Reception

We would like to welcome you back to campus with a special reception, at 9 a.m., on the Contreras Family Terrace. The reception will include a special blessing of our employees at about 9:15 a.m. Coffee and breakfast tacos will be served until about 10:30 a.m.

Mask-Wearing on Campus

The University will enforce CDC guidance for mask-wearing. On Thursday, May 13, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated individuals can participate in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. However, employees, who are not fully vaccinated must wear masks while on campus, indoors and outdoors, unless they are in their private workspace and practicing social distancing.

Benefit for Fully Vaccinated Employees

Beginning June 9, employees who are fully COVID-19 vaccinated are invited to take their vaccination card to the Office of Human Resources to receive a special gift card and your “COVID-19 Vaccinated” button. If you have not yet received your vaccine, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. As the Protect St. Mary’s Pledge rightly states, keeping ourselves safe by following public health and University guidance will also keep our community safe.

Self-Reporting and Quarantine Reminders

St. Mary’s will continue to expect employees to self-report if showing symptoms for COVID-19, and require faculty, staff and students to follow the updated CDC guidelines for quarantine times.

Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine if they have exposure unless exhibiting symptoms.
Unvaccinated individuals with exposure quarantine for seven days provided they get tested on Day Five and not sooner.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 10 days from the test date or first appearance of symptoms.

A special thank you to all employees for pivoting last spring and continuing the work you were doing on campus from your homes and personal spaces through teleconferencing. We look forward to you returning to campus and gathering in community again without social distancing. If you have concerns about the safety of your workspace environment, please notify your supervisor so that, together, we can find the right solution for you.