COVID-19 Updates

2022 Spring COVID Vaccination Requirements

( Students , Staff, Consultants)

EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2022

ADDENDUM TO COVID-19 POLICY SPRING 2022

Regardless of vaccination status, all residential students must take a pre-arrival COVID test and receive a negative test result 24-72 hours before moving into residential housing following a scheduled break, i.e. Christmas, Spring Break, Summer Break, or an absence from campus housing more than seven days. Testing will be available on campus for students until further notice and results will be accepted from off-campus testing sites. If positive, students will not be able to move into residential housing until the isolation period is concluded. Out-of-state students are strongly encouraged to test PRIOR to arrival on campus.  The college will not provide reimbursement for testing costs. Please note: This also includes the start of every semester or term, including the Buffalo Stampede session.

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 2, 2022

Arkansas Baptist College is committed to the health and safety of its students, staff, and faculty and the mitigation of the spread of COVID-19. To aid in the protection and the mitigation of the spread of COVID-19, for spring semester 2022, Arkansas Baptist College is requiring that all members of the campus community – faculty, staff, students, and consultants – be vaccinated for added protection against COVID-19.

RESIDENTIAL HOUSING STUDENTS

All students in residential housing should either have at least one dose of any two-dose COVID-19 vaccination or the single-dose COVID-19 vaccine by January 2, 2022. Proof of an appointment for the second dose will be acceptable for those who are not yet fully vaccinated. Proof of completion of all vaccinations must be submitted by February 10, 2022.

OFF CAMPUS STUDENTS

Students who live off-campus should have their first dose of the vaccination by the first day of classes, January 5, 2022, and should be able to provide confirmation of an appointment for the second dose. Proof of completion of all vaccinations must be submitted by February 10, 2022.

All employees and consultants should either have at least one dose of any two-dose COVID-19 vaccination or the single-dose COVID-19 vaccine by January 3, 2022. Proof of an appointment for the second dose will be acceptable for those who are not yet fully vaccinated. Proof of completion of all vaccinations must be submitted by February 10, 2022.

EXEMPTIONS

There is an exemption for pregnancy, medical, and religious reasons. Any individual requesting an exemption must submit an accommodation request form along with appropriate documentation for approval. Once approved, individuals granted an exemption must be tested on a weekly basis at their own expense.

VACCINATION SUBMISSIONS / SCHEDULING

For students, confirmation of vaccination – and scheduled second dose appointments – should be provided to the Office of Admissions in person, by email at Admissions@arkansasbaptist.edu or may be faxed to (501) 375-9257. All documentation will be kept confidential.

For employees and consultants, confirmation of vaccination – and scheduled second dose appointments – should be provided to the Office of Human Resources in person, by email at hr@arkansasbaptist.edu or may be faxed to (501) 375-9257. All documentation will be kept confidential.

COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC 2022

Student Loan Assistance

COVID-19 pandemic? Here’s what we you need to know about your federal student loans owned by the Department of Education:

• No payments are due and no interest will be charged until Jan. 31, 2022. Repayment starts Feb 2022

• If you were delinquent on your student loan payments before April, this suspension brought your account current. You should use this time as an opportunity to explore other payment relief options – like income-driven repayment – that can lower your payments when they resume. Learn more at: https://studentconnections.com/blog/coronavirus “

Please contact Pat Proctor in Admissions @ 501-420-1223 for information regarding your student loans.

Student Information for Spring 2022 Semester

Arkansas Baptist College recognizes the difficulties that our students and their families have experienced during this period of coping with Covid-19 Pandemic.

Arkansas Baptist College starts its spring 2022 semester January 5, 2022. Students should check Jenzabar MyABC (JICS) Student Portal for course announcements. Please see the academic calendar that is available on our website, click here for important dates for the Spring Semester.

Arkansas Baptist College will also be implementing strict safety protocols like requiring face coverings, physical distancing, hand hygiene and enhanced cleaning to ensure the health of our community for student athletes returning to campus. These protocols will:

Require everyone to wear face masks inside all buildings — unless the person is alone in a private residence hall room.
Require everyone to wear face masks outdoors and maintain at least six feet of distance from others.
Require you to intensify cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, including doorknobs, light switches, desktops, sink handles and countertops.
Require a curfew at 9:00 PM for the whole campus. There are no exceptions for the weekend the curfew is in place seven days a week.
Not allow students to leave campus at any time without permission. If it is an athletic event, coaches will contact our administration. If students are caught leaving campus you will be asked to turn your key in and return home. Students are not allowed to leave for the weekend unless it is an emergency. You must take another COVID test at your own cost to be able to resume your stay on campus.
Not allow any visitation from anyone not housed in ABC residential halls. Students will only be allowed to have two visitors per suite. Students caught violating this policy, will be asked to return your key and sent home.
Students will be permitted to be outside of the residential halls until 9pm, but not allowed to leave off campus at any time. Students caught leaving campus or have anyone from off-campus visit, the student will be asked to return your key and sent home (No Exceptions).
Not allow students to congregate in groups larger than 10 people and will require maintaining social distancing of six (6) feet or more.
Require you to sign our zero-tolerance policy and any violation of the policy will result in immediate suspension from Arkansas Baptist College.