The University of South Alabama continues to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority as University leaders work closely with local, state and federal agencies to share the most updated information. The ongoing impact of the pandemic to our campus and community requires us to remain flexible and make modifications to our policies as circumstances change. The COVID-19 Response Team continues to monitor the situation and update polices and practices accordingly. Students and employees should check this website regularly for updates.
Listed below are the most current policies and practices.
Vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, are available to eligible students and employees by appointment at the Student Health Center during normal operating hours. Be aware that you will need a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in three weeks if this is your first dose. For second doses and boosters, bring your original vaccine card with you.
Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines are also available at convenient community locations. Employees on the main academic campus are encouraged to provide verification of their vaccination status to Employee Health and Wellness. Students are encouraged to provide verification of their vaccination status through the Student Health Portal.
Reporting Positive Cases
All employees and students are required to monitor and report suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19.
- All employees and students are required to immediately report confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 to USA’s COVID-19 team at reportcovid@southalabama.edu.
- Regardless of vaccine status, if students have symptoms of COVID-19, they are to reach out to StudentHealth@southalabama.edu for further guidance. Employees with symptoms should contact their supervisor and Employee Health and Wellness at PandemicHRCampus@southalabama.edu.
- The COVID-19 team will provide guidance on the required isolation period and determine when employees and students who test positive for COVID-19 are clear to return to classes, work, and activities.
Masking
At this time, face masks are optional on the University’s academic campuses.
- The University reserves the right to require face masks or other health protocols in certain settings, and these requirements must be followed as announced.
- Employees, patients and visitors to USA Health facilities, as well as students in clinical healthcare settings, must continue to follow USA Health policies and protocols.
- Wear a mask if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Based on recently updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, if you are exposed to COVID-19, wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5 if you are without symptoms or sooner if you become symptomatic.
- KN95 Masks are available for students and employees. KN95 masks are recommended for those who have certain health risks, for those who are required to wear a mask for five days following isolation and for those who have been exposed to COVID-19. KN95 masks are available for pick up, while supplies last, at the Student Recreation Center, the Student Center Jag ID Office, Student Health and Human Resources. Please only take one at a time.
Events
In-person events such as ceremonies, meetings and social gatherings are allowed if all USA COVID-19 precautions as listed above and on this website are followed.
Health and Safety Measures
Keep plastic shields in place and do not dispose of shields that were purchased or installed. Continue all sanitization protocols.
Visitors
Visitors (any non-employee or non-student) to the University main campus must adhere to the University's health and safety protocols. Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should avoid visiting campus until they receive medical clearance from a healthcare provider.
Travel
Travel increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Vaccination is strongly encouraged before travel. Anyone who chooses to travel, regardless of vaccination status, should self-monitor symptoms and follow masking and other safety protocols. Employees should follow all updated University travel protocols for international and domestic travel.
The guiding principle of the University’s reopening plan is to provide as safe an environment as possible for students, faculty and staff. The University is continually monitoring the health of the campus population and the public health of our region. The campus is poised to move back to remote work and remote instruction if necessary to protect the health of students and employees.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a dynamic and unpredictable situation. In order to adapt to this environment and to execute decisions related to its operations, the University of South Alabama has developed a set of parameters that are constantly evaluated. These parameters include federal, state or local government mandates, the level of regional risk as classified by the Alabama Department of Public Health, the percentage of COVID-19 positive tests in Mobile county, the healthcare capacity in Mobile and neighboring counties, the number of cases among students and employees at the USA campus, the percentage of positive tests among students and employees, and the University’s ability to provide essential services including quarantine and isolation.
The cumulative assessment of these criteria is routinely utilized in determining the level of activity within the University. This involves multiple operational options which range from regular academic and athletic engagement to the University physical closure with fully remote academic activities.
The University’s policies and procedures are evolving in response to changing conditions. This website will be updated as new information becomes available. Please check back frequently for updates. If you see errors or omissions on this website, please email marcomm@southalabama.edu with your suggestions.
The COVID-19 Response Team (formerly called the University Committee for Reopening Campus) is composed of representatives from the main campus and USA Health system. The overall guiding principle of this committee's work is to provide as safe an environment as possible for students, faculty and staff.
The committee continues to work on all aspects of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with best practices for health and safety. The members of the committee are listed below.
Committee Members
- John Cleary; Associate Professor, Faculty Senate Past President
- Chris Cleveland; Assistant Vice President of Auxiliary Services
- Kristin Dukes; General Counsel
- Julie Estis; COVID-19 Response Coordinator
- Benjamin Estrada; Professor and Assistant Dean, College of Medicine
- Ryan Ferguson; Director of Student Health Services
- Charlie Guest; Executive Vice Provost
- Mike Haskins; Vice President for Marketing and Communications
- Andi Kent; Interim Provost and Senior Vice President
- John Marymont; Vice President for Medical Affairs, Dean of College of Medicine
- John Smith; Interim President
- Scott Weldon; Vice President for Finance and Administration
Requests for exceptions to COVID-19 policies and practices may be submitted to covid19@southalabama.edu for consideration by the committee.
Students who are attending classes or activities on campus, or who are living in USA Housing, are required to report positive COVID-19 tests to the University for monitoring by the COVID-19 Team.
Any resident student, or any student present on campus for classes or activities, who tests positive for COVID-19, is required to immediately send an email to reportcovid@southalabama.edu so that the COVID-19 protocol processes can be initiated. The email should include the student's name, the student’s JAG number, the student’s phone number, the date of the positive COVID-19 test, and any additional relevant information. The student will receive a reply email confirming email receipt from reportcovid@southalabama.edu.
If the student receives the reply email, it serves as confirmation that the COVID-19 staff has been notified and USA’s COVID-19 protocol will be initiated. If the student does not receive a confirmation reply email within 24 hours, they should call the Student Health Center at (251) 460-7151 and provide their information.
Once the University has been notified of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19, a member of the COVID-19 team will be assigned to that case. The assigned staff member will contact the individual who is COVID-19 positive to interview them and assist with the monitoring of their symptoms. The COVID-19 team member will advise the student to inform individuals who may have been exposed. All information gathered by the COVID-19 team member will be entered into REDCap. The COVID-19 team member will not disclose the name of the infected individual to any of the exposed persons and measures will be taken to protect the infected individual’s information.
Any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to send an email to reportcovid@southalabama.edu and notify Human Resources at (251) 461-1521.
Any supervisor notified by a faculty/staff member testing positive for COVID-19 must send an email to reportcovid@southalabama.edu and notify Human Resources at (251) 461-1521.
Any USA faculty/staff notified by a student that he/she has tested/is positive for COVID-19 must send an email to reportcovid@southalabama.edu.
For additional instructions and information on these requirements, please visit the Human Resources website.
Students who have been exposed or are symptomatic for COVID-19, or indicate areas of concern, will be referred for testing to their primary care provider or through the Student Health Center.
The Facilities Management office installs, maintains and restocks new hand sanitizing stations in public areas of campus and regularly deep cleans and sanitizes common areas of buildings and offices.
For supplies of hand sanitizer and disinfectant, campus offices and departments should follow the ordering guidelines on the Office of Finance and Administration website.
Offices that need Plexiglass/acrylic barriers for reception areas should contact Safety and Environmental Compliance at SafetyandEnv@SouthAlabama.edu.
The Office of Marketing and Communications has created a portfolio of standard and customizable signs and social distancing markers, which are shown below.
Posters - 8 1/2" x 11"
Offices in need of supplies of this signage for your office or have custom signage needs should contact Publication Services, which will work with you to develop, print and deliver the signage you need.
Employees and students are required to complete training regarding various issues related to COVID-19. This training includes hygiene, social distancing, and other infection-control issues.
The Division of Student Affairs communicates with students about training resources and requirements via email and through the Canvas platform.
The Office of Human Resources has provided educational and awareness materials to employees and departments. This offers general guidance on maintaining a safe workplace with respect to infection control and hygiene as well as specific guidance related to COVID-19. Training must be completed within a reasonable time of returning to campus in order for the employee to remain on campus. Training is typically completed electronically; however, alternative methods have been established for employees who do not have access to computers.
With the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in our region, the health, well-being and continued education of our students is a top priority. USA students who have questions, or are in need of assistance, are encouraged to visit the USA OneStop website or email OneStop@SouthAlabama.edu for help with academics, counseling and any other issues. In addition, students with emergency financial needs can submit a request for assistance through our South CARES program.
USA has established the South CARES Emergency Fund, which directs critical resources to students who find themselves with urgent expenses they are unprepared to meet. If you are able to make a gift to assist our students, please do at giving.southalabama.edu/southcares. Thank you for supporting our students!