Southern Adventist University will maintain current COVID-19 protocols, including indoor masking and online worship events, through Saturday, October 2. President Ken Shaw made the announcement in an email sent to the student body on Tuesday, September 14. Shaw stated in the email that administration made the decision due to the ongoing risks of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the area.
Shaw reminded students to wear a mask indoors, keep their distance when interacting with others, wash their hands frequently and contact the University Health Center if they have COVID-19 symptoms. According to Southern’s safety information webpage, current COVID-19 restrictions also include holding work meetings via video conferencing. The webpage also specified that masks are not required indoors when eating, teaching or working in private space, nor are they required in residence hall rooms.
Shaw added in the email that all enrichment and worship credits will remain solely online through October 2. These services include residence hall worships, convocations, vespers, Merge worship services and Evensongs. However, Shaw said the fall Week of Prayer scheduled for next week will be held at the Goliath Wall if weather permits. Links will be emailed prior to these events, according to the email.
“Thank you for your continued partnership as we address this pandemic together,” Shaw wrote. “We pray this extension will be temporary, and senior administration will continually reevaluate and update as necessary.”
For more information about Southern’s COVID-19 policies, visit https://www.southern.edu/safety/.
