Coronavirus
Southwestern Christian University
Coronavirus Task Force
Re-opening Guidelines
SCU is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak globally and is receiving guidance from the City of Bethany, Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State Department of Health, in addition to other government and health agencies.
We know you are anxiously awaiting more news about how the fall semester will look at SCU.
Each day we are seeing new reports of the rise of Covid-19 cases and it is concerning to us. However, we recognize that a rise in cases is only part of the data and we are monitoring all the data surrounding Covid-19 in the state of Oklahoma. We are working diligently to provide a safe environment on our campus and we expect all employees and students to adhere to the protocols we are putting in place.
This much is certain: SCU will be open this fall with a semester designed for quality student learning, spiritual life, student engagement, campus life, and the safety of all Eagles. Mandatory public health compliance training will be required for all students, faculty and staff, with consistent reinforcement by a highly visible campus information campaign.
Our overall goal is to ensure access to high-quality academic experiences and the safest possible physical environments, regardless of the unpredictable circumstances that lie ahead.
The President’s Cabinet has specific guidelines for instruction, athletics, food service, student services, and student activities. We hope to answer those questions in our Frequently Asked Questions Section which we will add in the days ahead.
There are a few things we can share with you now regarding our guidelines:
(Please note: All guidelines are subject to change)
SCU’s academic calendar for this fall will not change. The first day of classes will be August 19, as scheduled. To minimize the spread of the virus, all in-person learning activities will move to alternative formats after the Thanksgiving break for the remainder of the semester. The last day of the semester is Dec 8, 2020.
The semester’s distinctive design will ensure students have an impactful, engaging academic, spiritual, and student life experience. We will offer a blend of online, in-person and experiential learning activities. All in-person activities will include virtual alternatives to be inclusive of all, regardless of ability to come to campus or comfort-level. We will limit the number of students in chapel by splitting the student body into two sections. One section will attend chapel on Tuesday and the other section will attend chapel on Thursday. We will have more details as we get closer to the beginning of the semester.
We are implementing an extensive set of public health safety measures. Our intent is to provide a learning, living and working environment that is actually much safer than what is found in the general community for the heightened protection of all Eagles. Precautions such as required face coverings on campus, mandatory compliance training for all, monitoring for symptoms, building and room occupancy limits, regular disinfecting in common areas, spiritual life chapel protocols, and protective barriers in the cafeteria are all essential to a safe and productive semester.
We will provide housing in our residence halls for students who wish to live on campus. Guidelines will be released within the next few weeks. Students living on campus will be responsible for the sanitization and cleanliness of their room and bathroom.
The Springer Library, Springer-Pickens Gym, CAPS and The Bell Center will be available for student-related activities. All spaces and activities will have extensive public health safety measures in place.
The entire semester is designed to be highly adaptable in the event we need to quickly move all instructional and operational activities online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Updates and Resources
Recent University Updates
- July 10, 2020: Coronavirus Task Force Re-opening Guidelines
- March 17, 2020: Update from the President - Classes Transition to Online
- March 12, 2020: Spring Break and Travel
Information about Coronavirus/COVID-19
Updated information about COVID-19 and recommendations may be found at these sites: