Texas Baptist schools relax COVID protocols

Texas Baptist universities recently relaxed their COVID-19 protocols in light of increased availability of vaccine, declining infection rates and—in some cases—updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.

On May 17, Baylor University announced fully vaccinated individuals no longer will be required to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors. Those who have not been vaccinated are still required to wear face coverings when indoors.

Baylor also lifted all capacity limitations for outdoor activities—including athletic venues—and made face coverings optional outdoors for everyone.

While Baylor does not require students, faculty or staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, those who submit confirmation of vaccination are exempt from weekly COVID-19 testing and quarantine.

On May 19, Wayland Baptist University administration notified students, employees and visitors fully vaccinated individuals can resume activities without wearing a facemask or practicing social distancing, except in locations where the mandates remain in place locally.

The university strongly encourages those who are not vaccinated to receive the vaccine and to continue wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distance until they are fully vaccinated.

“While the new guidelines relax safety standards, people are still cautioned to use their judgment on proper safety protocols for themselves and their families. Protocols will vary depending on campus location and state and local regulations,” the Wayland statement said.

In addition to its home campus in Plainview and at sites in San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo and Wichita Falls, Wayland also offers programs through external campuses in New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii.

Making face coverings optional

Also on May 19, Dallas Baptist University made face coverings generally optional on campus, although facemasks continue to be required in classrooms for at least the first summer session, which concludes at the end of June.

Throughout June, DBU officials will continue to evaluate the situation and make decisions regarding further lifting of restrictions during the second summer session and fall semester.

The university has asked—but not required—students and employees who have been vaccinated to inform the university. However, vaccinations are not mandated.

DBU already had removed capacity limits, and several on-campus camps and other events are scheduled this summer.

Effective May 17, Howard Payne University transitioned to a “mask-optional” status on campus. The university also removed the maximum occupancy capacity limits in rooms on campus and eliminated expectations regarding social distancing.

HPU continued to ask students and personnel who are exposed to a positive COVID-19 case, who show symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 to report it to the university.

“This process was very effective in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the health and safety of the campus community, while at the same time providing the ability to continue operations as close to normal as possible,” the university reported in a prepared statement.

Operating by an ‘honor system’

On May 24, East Texas Baptist University revised its health protocol through July 31. During the summer, ETBU will require individuals who have not been fully vaccinated to wear face coverings inside campus buildings.  ETBU has returned to 100 percent capacity for its facilities, and no facemasks are required for anyone outdoors on campus.

“ETBU is not requiring identification of vaccinated or non-vaccinated individuals. There will be no separation of people nor segmentation by group,” ETBU President Blair Blackburn said in an email.

“ETBU community members may report their vaccination record, if they so choose. Information on vaccination levels does help us to know the vaccination rate, which a certain percentage goal will be determined as we progress through summer to inform us of any other health protocols. We are operating under an honor system, and we leave the decision of vaccination up to the individual campus community member.”

Effective June 1, ETBU also will permit on-campus housing visitation.

“This summer housing visitation will allow us time to evaluate the impact of visitation in residential units upon coronavirus infection rates. We believe there is wisdom in staging of relaxation of protocols,” Blackburn wrote.

“ETBU has continuously responded to the changing conditions caused by the pandemic. With vaccines widely available and many of our faculty and staff choosing to get vaccinated, the university looks forward to the future of a post-pandemic academic year.”

Responding to local health conditions

Houston Baptist University will become a “mask-optional” campus effective June 1, although individual instructors may request that students wear face coverings while in the classroom.

A task force already was working in April to bring a recommendation to HBU President Robert Sloan regarding a return to “normal” operations on campus, said John Holmes, associate vice president for facilities and campus operations.

“The decision was driven by evidence-based observations of the trends with COVID-19 in Harris County and the projected availability of vaccines for individuals who desired them. Perhaps this was a bit prescient, as we were well aligned to the CDC recommendations when they were made,” Holmes said.

HBU does not require vaccinations but works with local providers to make them readily available for any who desire them, he added.

Both Hardin-Simmons University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor lifted their face covering mandates, social distancing requirements and reduced occupancy limits immediately following the end of the spring semester, concluding with commencement exercises.

In both cases, the schools changed their policies prior to the updated guidelines for fully vaccinated people the CDC released May 13, but the universities announced they made their decisions based on guidance from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office and in light of local health conditions.

“The threat continues to subside as we see a constant trend of 0 infections on campus and a low number of cases throughout Taylor County,” a statement posted on the Hardin-Simmons University website reads. “If the county or HSU experiences an increase in infection or hospitalization rates, HSU will reevaluate our safety and health protocols.”

UMHB similarly noted the Bell County Public Health District had lowered its threat level to minimal controlled COVID-19 transmission. Like Hardin-Simmons, UMHB announced it would reevaluate health and safety protocols if local conditions change.

Both Hardin-Simmons and UMHB strongly encouraged everyone in their campus communities to consult their health care providers about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Baptist University of the Américas adjusted its COVID 19 protocols on April 1, about a month after Gov. Abbott lifted statewide mandates.

In general, BUA lifted its requirement for face coverings but highly encouraged that they be worn during weekly chapel services. The school also gave employees and faculty the option to require face coverings in their offices.

Temperature scanning requirements remain in place, and individuals with a temperature greater than 100 degrees are not permitted inside the BUA building.

“Our chief objective was to empower and provide each member of the BUA community the freedom to make a decision on face coverings when they are on campus. We have been blessed that since the change in protocols, no new COVID-19 cases have been reported among BUA students, faculty or staff,” said Gabriel Cortes, chief of staff at BUA.

All BUA summer courses are online. New protocols at BUA will be in place for the fall semester.

Stark College and Seminary in South Texas had not publicly reported changes in COVID-19 protocols as of May 28.

Editor’s note: The article originally was posted May 28. It was edited June 1 to include additional information from Baptist University for the Américas.