Statement: SAU System’s Precautionary Measures Amidst Public Health Safety Concerns

The Southern Arkansas University System Risk Management Task Force continues to actively monitor the public health concerns surrounding COVID-19, or the novel Coronavirus. The safety and well-being of our campus communities remain our highest priority. Decisions are based on the fluid information provided by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health officials. At this time, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus on the campus of SAU or SAU Tech.
SAU has existing protocols and procedures in place to manage infectious disease on each campus. We will continue to follow these procedures, and the System is prepared to act quickly in the event of exposure to any major virus by students, faculty or staff.
The Risk Management Task Force includes a collaborative representation of the institutional body including administration, faculty, staff, and health professionals. This group is meeting regularly to identify and implement additional proactive and reactive prevention methods.

The University strongly discourages all travel, both foreign and domestic. Students, faculty and staff who choose to travel areas of the United States that are “hot spots” (heavy concentrations) of viral outbreak or areas in CDC Alert Levels 2, 3, or 4 must immediately report to University Health Services (UHS) upon return to campus. UHS will follow Arkansas Department of Health recommendations on a case-by-case basis, including a potential mandatory 14-day self-quarantine following travel to these areas.

The Press release also says, the SAU System currently has a curriculum continuity plan. The Provost is working with faculty, department chairs, deans, and the Department of Online Learning to enhance this plan and increase support systems to allow a rapid change to complete online course delivery should the need arise.

Additional information regarding recently implemented policies and procedures and updates regarding the University’s proactive response to the current public health concern can be found by visiting www.saumag.edu. All questions should be emailed to taskforce@saumag.edu.