Coronavirus: Resources & Responses

As we all pull together to weather the coronavirus outbreak, ACCU has been working closely (virtually) with other higher education associations to educate legislators regarding the pandemic's toll on Catholic colleges and universities. ACCU member presidents are receiving regular updates on government relations work and how relief efforts may benefit our sector. In addition, we are offering this resource page in an effort to support the Catholic higher education community.

ACCU Activities

In April 2021, ACCU joined two national efforts to increase vaccination rates around the United States. Read the press release on our News page.

ACCU Member Activities

Listen to this edition of AMDG podcast to hear "How St. Ignatius Can Guide Your Return to Normal," featuring Debra Mooney, Vice President for Mission and Identity at Xavier University.

Federal Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revised its Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education, stating colleges and universities can host in-person learning at full capacity without requiring masks or physical distancing if all of their students, faculty, and staff are fully vaccinated before the fall semester begins. Federal agencies advise that, at institutions that lack fully vaccinated populations, administrators should consider the level of virus transmission in their community and vaccine coverage among students and employees. It is further advised that campuses set up robust testing programs that can identify any clusters of infection or monitor full-fledged outbreaks.

Responding to the guidance, the Department of Education released its COVID-19 Handbook Volume 3: Strategies for Safe Operation and Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education Students, Faculty, and Staff. The agency worked with public health officials and partners across the Administration to ensure this resource provides actionable strategies that institutions can use to implement CDC guidance to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  It also provides strategies on how colleges and universities can utilize funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and previous federal relief bills to meet the needs of all students, boost vaccination rates on campus, and address inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic, among other topics.

Also, the Department’s Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) hosted the latest in the “Lessons from the Field” webinar series -- “Strategies for Supporting College and University Students Holistically and Safely: CDC Guidance and Best Practices.”

Vaccines are safe and effective! More than half of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated against #COVID19. Do your part to help defeat this virus. Get vaccinated as soon as you can. Find a vaccine location near you. #VaccinesWork #CatholicCares #LoveThyNeighbor