BLINN, TEXAS A&M TO KEEP CURRENT COVID-19 PROTOCOLS THROUGH SPRING SEMESTER
The Blinn College District and the Texas A&M University System have announced they will proceed with their existing COVID-19 guidelines.
The chancellors of Blinn and Texas A&M issued statements today (Friday) concerning Governor Greg Abbott’s latest executive order, which takes effect next Wednesday.
Blinn Chancellor Dr. Mary Hensley said the College will continue with its Back With Blinn COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, including the requirement to wear a face covering, class modalities, social distancing, and occupancy limitations through the spring semester.
Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp also said current guidance should be followed through the end of the semester. He added that the university system anticipates being able to lift the guidance once the spring semester ends, and at that time, all rules, procedures and practices will be determined locally at each institution after reviewing conditions.
Statement from Blinn College District Chancellor Dr. Mary Hensley:
Governor Greg Abbott recently issued Executive Order GA-34 regarding the statewide wearing of masks, which takes effect Wednesday, March 10th. The Blinn College District has reviewed the content of this order and will continue to utilize its Back With Blinn COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, including the requirement to wear a face covering, class modalities, social distancing, and occupancy limitations, among other items, through the Spring semester. To review Blinn’s Back With Blinn guidelines, please visit www.blinn.edu/back-with-blinn.
The health and safety of all Blinn employees, students, and guests remains the College District’s top priority. I would like to thank the members of our campus communities for their ongoing vigilance and support, and wish each of you continued health and success this semester.
Statement from Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp:
Over the past year, the Texas A&M System institutions have done an amazing job in responding to the pandemic and protecting the health of our faculty, staff and students.
With the end of the spring semester only 6-8 weeks away, A&M system members should continue to follow system guidance, “Guidance for Spring Semester of 2021 and Related Issues” issued in October 2020 on testing, face coverings, classes, physical distancing, occupancy limitations, co-curricular activities, among other matters.
Based on our assessment of current conditions, this step will help us successfully complete the semester and is consistent with Gov. Greg Abbott’s order that masking and other protocols should be decided by our institutions, not by the state.
At the conclusion of the spring semester, we anticipate System guidance being lifted so that all rules, procedures and practices regarding classes, travel, face coverings, testing, etc., will be determined locally at your institution informed by your conditions and reviewed by the System.
The System may provide additional guidance this semester or going forward, as conditions warrant.