The Home Stretch and Plans Ahead

JOHN L. JUNKINS
Interim President

April 8, 2021

Howdy!

Thank you for your continued resilience this spring as we move into the last part of the semester — the home stretch. Recent COVID-19 testing at the Bryan-College Station campus included more than 24,000 students and yielded a 2.1 percent positivity rate. Testing continues with Student Health Services doing a tremendous job administering tests and vaccines to faculty, staff and students.

Please note the following as we continue into the final weeks of the semester:

Face coverings are still in effect on campus, along with normal protocols of hand washing and physical distancing.

Student Health Services received more than 4,800 vaccine doses this week with more to come. They are doing an amazing job administering vaccines to faculty, staff and students who can visit the COVID vaccine information page to sign up. I highly encourage you all to get vaccinated so that we can move beyond COVID-19.

Event capacities will open back up post-June 1 to capacity with the caveat that, should conditions warrant with COVID-19, they may be scaled down again if necessary.

There are so many of you to thank and I look forward to more opportunities to do so. Faculty who work with flexibility to help students. Staff who also offer amazing leadership and support in this dynamic environment. Student leaders. Volunteers from campus, former students and our community. The Athletic Department’s assistance hosting graduation ceremonies at Kyle Field and Reed Arena.

Two groups I would like to call out in particular are:

I sincerely thank the Office of the Registrar for their outstanding service conducting make-up graduation ceremonies in March, planning for May commencement ceremonies, and preparing class schedules for in-person classes this fall. Schedules will be posted on the Registrar’s website by the end of this month.

I sincerely thank the New Student and Family Programs team and advisors as they move quickly to plan New Student Conferences for in-person activities. As with pre-COVID-19, there will be some online preparation for incoming students to make the most of in-person time. For families unable to attend on campus, a virtual option will be provided. Conferences begin in late May as planned. Schedule details are forthcoming this month on New Student Conferences site.

Remember to check our COVID guidance page on a regular basis for updated protocols and resources.

Thank you again for your patience, resilience and demonstration of the Aggie Spirit.

Let’s finish out the semester safe and strong.

John L. Junkins
Interim President