PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (August 13, 2020) – Ready or not, the fall semester at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is upon us. Classes begin in just a few, short weeks. Whether you are a faculty or staff member, or a student, here are ten ways you can help protect “The Hill,” and yourself, from the coronavirus pandemic:

Be honest. If you have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), call Student Health Services at 936-261-1410 or the Coronavirus Hotline at 936-261-9000. To protect others, do not come to “The Hill” or any PVAMU campus until you are cleared by your doctor and Student Health Services. If you think that you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, or if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call 211 from your cell phone, and then call Student Health Services or the Coronavirus Hotline. Employees, also notify your supervisors and send an email to leaveteam@pvamu.edu.

Mask Up! Please wear a face mask whenever you are on campus. Like most public places in Texas right now, masks are required. That’s because the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can spread between people interacting in close proximity — even if those people do not show symptoms.

Know what’s expected. All employees and students are required to complete health and safety COVID-19 training and certification before returning to any PVAMU campus. The training modules for employees are posted at www.pvamu.edu/return-to-work. The Student Safe Practices Training is posted at www.pvamu.edu/sa/return-to-campus.

Keep your distance. It’s tempting to want to enjoy life and not worry about an ongoing pandemic, but you have to think about your health first and the health and safety of others. Try greeting your friends and coworkers by nodding, waving, doing an air hug, or “smizing,” which is smiling with your eyes. If you are at home, in your dorm room, or office, use a phone, or other technology, like Zoom, to connect. There are more options here: www.pvamu.edu/telecommuting.

If you’re on campus:

  • Stay at least six feet away from others, including inside restrooms;
  • Don’t get into an elevator if someone is already inside; and
  • Avoid people who appear sick.

Clean up! The CDC recommends washing your hands often with soap and water. Use the lyrics of PVAMU’s fight song as your 20-second timer. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Also, clean and disinfect your space daily, or as much as you can.

Stay close to “The Hill.” Believe it or not, what you do when you are away from campus could affect your colleagues and peers on campus. The best way to minimize everyone’s exposure is to avoid travel, crowded places, and close contact with people who do not live in your home.

Have a backup plan. If you or someone in your class or workspace tests positive for COVID-19, be prepared to self-quarantine or self-isolate for 14 days. A good plan would include food, cleaning, and medical care management.

Get tested if you need to. Free COVID-19 testing will be available throughout the semester for students, faculty, and staff. Testing events will occur at different locations around campus, including the Baby Dome, drive-through testing locations, and the Health Center. If you are a student coming back this fall, you are not required to take a COVID-19 test to start classes; but for your safety and the safety of others, you are encouraged to get tested before arriving to campus.

Know how to get help. If you have an emergency on campus, call 936-261-1375. If you have an emergency off campus, call 911. If you have a Student Affairs-related concern, call 936-261-2123. For Academic Affairs, call 936-261-2175. If you are an employee who has questions about returning to campus, call Human Resources at 936-261-1730. If you start to feel sad, overwhelmed, or stressed because of this temporary “new normal,” call Student Counseling Services at 936-261-3564. For after-hours counseling, call the Crisis Counseling Hotline at 936-553-0990. Employees can visit www.guidanceresources.com and create an account using the webID “TAMUS.”

Stay up-to-date with the latest information from PVAMU. The university will continue to communicate with employees and students through their PVAMU email accounts. You can always find the most current COVID-19 information, including reported cases, at www.pvamu.edu/coronavirus.

Be safe out there, Panthers!