UST Adopts COVID-19 Interim Policy regarding On-Campus Visitors

Temperature screenings and a brief QR code survey will be mandatory for all faculty, staff, students and visitors to complete when they arrive at the University of St. Thomas this fall, UST Chief of Police H.E. Jenkins wrote in a campus-wide email on Aug. 10. 

UST is implementing these protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

“Everyone coming to UST will be required to go to either the UST Police Department, Mail Room, located at the corner of Gaustrauk and Colquitt, or Herzstein Enrollment Services Center to get your temperature taken and answer the survey,” Jenkins wrote in an email to the Celt Independent. 

Those with a temperature equal to or greater than 100.04 degrees and answer “no” to any question on the QR survey will not be allowed to enter any buildings on campus; they will be referred to their primary care provider.

According to Jenkins, the QR survey asks:

• Have you had your temperature taken today?
• I understand I cannot enter the office if I am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or have traveled to a high risk area in the last 14 days.

Wristbands granting access to UST buildings will be given to those who pass the screening and complete the survey. They are only valid for one day, according to Jenkins. 

All guests and visitors, except those who go directly to the Chapel of St. Basil to attend Mass must follow the University’s protocols regarding temperature taking, face covering and mask wearing and other screenings, according to the University’s interim policy regarding the coronavirus. 

The policy identifies guests and visitors as: 

• Individuals who schedule a meeting with a UST representative and are escorted within the office or building by a UST employee
• Individuals searching for the Office of Admissions who may not have an appointment
• Family members of a student living on campus.
• Parents and families during move-in and move-out periods
• Venders, contractors, consultants and service operators with UST supplies, food or other deliveries

Individuals who do not have an appointment will be asked to leave campus. 

“Let’s each do our part to help create a safe and healthy environment,” Jenkins wrote.