After careful consideration, and always keeping the safety of students and faculty paramount, University of St. Thomas has decided to begin the 2021 spring semester instruction entirely online for January. Ongoing re-assessment of the pandemic situation will determine whether partial in-person classes may happen in February.

More on Classes

Complete information about how partial in-person classes would work will be available after the holiday break. Regardless of the University’s decision, it is important to convey that no faculty member or student will be required to participate in in-person instruction.

Meanwhile, the UST campus will remain open, and faculty may access their offices using all safety protocols and teach their online courses.

To Spring Break or Not to Spring Break

A determination is yet to be made regarding Spring Break. On Feb. 1, administrators will announce whether the break will happen traditionally or whether pandemic circumstances will cause UST leadership to end the semester one week early.

Ongoing Safety Protocols

UST Assistant Vice President and Police Chief H.E. Jenkins said, “St. Thomas has had success in managing the spread of COVID-19, and we need to continue to follow CDC guidelines when moving around the campus.”

The University guidelines include the following:

• When arriving on campus, go to the UST police department, Guinan Hall, Jerabeck, Mail Room, or Herzstein to get your temperature taken and answer a short survey.
• Wear a face mask that covers the mouth and nose
• Practice proper hygiene and handwashing
• Maintain at least 6 feet of separation from others whenever possible

Jenkins adds, “It is easy, as time goes by, to forget or stop following the proper CDC guidelines, but as Celts, we need to continue to stay vigilant in our efforts to avert the spread of the virus. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please notify us at stayhealthy@stthom.edu so we can advise you of the proper next steps to take. We also will get our Healthy Celt Trackers to contact you so we can determine who you have been around and quarantine them as soon as possible.”

Free COVID Testing

The next date for free COVID testing at UST will be Mon., Jan. 4, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Center for Science and Health Professionals.

Keep up with safety news on UST’s StayHealthy webpage.