Positivity Rates

I am pleased to see a continued downward trend in Williamson County’s positivity rate, currently at 19.36%. Our campus is also continuing to see a dramatic downward trend in our positivity rate. Last week’s surveillance testing numbers are below:

• Student positivity rate: 4.1%
• Faculty positivity rate: 0%
• Staff positivity rate: 0%

You can see the full results on the Health and Safety Dashboard.

Reminder: New Isolation Recommendation

Last week, the Health and Safety Committee reminded students that Southwestern will continue to follow CDC guidelines and asked that anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 isolate for five days. After five days, if you are symptom free, you should wear a mask (KN95 or N95 are strongly suggested and available in several locations throughout campus including the President’s office) at all times when around others for an additional five days. If you have symptoms, you should continue to isolate. 

The committee also strongly recommended taking an antigen test on day 5 (you can purchase/request antigen tests on the following sites: Amazon, CVS, CovidTests.gov). If your antigen test comes back positive, you should continue to isolate for an additional two days.

Free Stuff! Pick Up a KN95 Mask

KN95 masks are available free of charge at the following locations:

• Cullen Building: President’s Office, Business Office, Dean’s Office
• Fondren-Jones Science Center: The Atrium (lobby)
• Smith Library Center
• McCombs Campus Center: The Commons and Student Life Offices
• Prothro Center: Center for Career & Professional Development and Health Center
• Robertson Center

Testing Reminder

We will continue to have open testing every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Robertson Center. Testing is open to the entire community, so if you would like to test, please take advantage of this on-campus opportunity. 

We are in the process of securing a second COVID-19 vaccine clinic on campus. Date is forthcoming.

Shout Outs

This year, eight Southwestern University faculty members have won Sam Taylor Fellowship grants ranging from approximately $1,800 to $2,000. Each recipient went through a competitive application process and was selected by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.

Please join us in congratulating the 2021–22 recipients:

• Erika Berroth, associate professor of German
• Sergio Costola, associate professor of theatre
• Erin Crockett, associate professor of psychology
• Cody Crosby, assistant professor of physics
• Sara Massey, assistant professor of chemistry
• Francis Mathieu, associate professor of French
• Aaron Prevots, professor of French
• Valerie Renegar, professor of communication studies
• Katy Ross, professor of Spanish 
• Michael Saenger, associate professor of English

Also, a big congrats to Alpha Xi Delta for winning SING! 2022 this past Saturday! I loved your spoof of Chicago, and I am on the lookout for my doppelgänger on campus. It was like looking in a mirror!