COVID-19 UPDATE
UPDATE MARCH 18, 2020
Due to our concerns to minimize the spread of COVID-19, TBC has taken the precautionary measure of closing our campus and having our students’ study from home and move our courses online.
The dormitory will close this Saturday, March 21, at 6 PM. You DO NOT have to get all your belongings this weekend. We will work with everyone to ensure our students can get their belongings out of the dorm in an acceptable time frame that is safe for everyone. The TBC Office Manager will follow up this email with specific instructions for students who are checking out permanently from the dormitory.
Important: Students who would have a difficult time leaving by Saturday evening, may speak with the Dean of Students about extending the time to leave.
Students will begin online classes officially on Monday, March 23, 2020. The TBC Academic Dean will follow up with further information before the end of the week. The Program Chair for each Christian Ministry Major will be available to speak with you regarding homework or work on projects. We are uncertain of the date for our TBC banquet and graduation ceremony, but we will keep you updated during the coming weeks.
These are times of uncertainty, but it is not a time to live by fear but a time to give by faith. Give a word of encouragement. Give some reassurance. Give a smile. Give hope and give a helping hand. “For God so loved that He gave…” We are here for you, we love you, and God will see us through!
The dormitory will close this Saturday, March 21, at 6 PM. You DO NOT have to get all your belongings this weekend. We will work with everyone to ensure our students can get their belongings out of the dorm in an acceptable time frame that is safe for everyone. The TBC Office Manager will follow up this email with specific instructions for students who are checking out permanently from the dormitory.
Important: Students who would have a difficult time leaving by Saturday evening, may speak with the Dean of Students about extending the time to leave.
Students will begin online classes officially on Monday, March 23, 2020. The TBC Academic Dean will follow up with further information before the end of the week. The Program Chair for each Christian Ministry Major will be available to speak with you regarding homework or work on projects. We are uncertain of the date for our TBC banquet and graduation ceremony, but we will keep you updated during the coming weeks.
These are times of uncertainty, but it is not a time to live by fear but a time to give by faith. Give a word of encouragement. Give some reassurance. Give a smile. Give hope and give a helping hand. “For God so loved that He gave…” We are here for you, we love you, and God will see us through!
UPDATE MARCH 14, 2020
Given the potential for exposure and CDC recommendations for social distancing, TBC has made the following decisions:
We will be doing extra cleaning on campus. With recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we will post in large traffic areas around the campus an everyday preventative actions list including:
- Spring Break for students will be extended through March 22. Classes will resume on Monday, March 23, 2020.
- All faculty are requested to “work from home”, and we strongly encourage students to stay at your homes. If you must return to the campus, please make sure that you contact the Dean of Students, Jeremy Gilliam, and make him aware of your intended presence in the dorms.
- Staff and student hourly workers may work minimally required hours. (See your immediate supervisor.)
- The cafeteria will not be open. However, three meals will be provided and brought from the cafeteria to the dormitory daily. The Dean of Student’s office will communicate with you.
- All facilities at Texas Bible College will be locked and considered restrictive areas with the exception of the Student Center, Common Area, Dormitory Bays, and Student Mailboxes.
We will be doing extra cleaning on campus. With recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we will post in large traffic areas around the campus an everyday preventative actions list including:
- Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
UPDATE MARCH 13, 2020
Steps for Prevention:
We are not aware of anyone at Texas Bible College who has contracted COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who has tested positive. However, given the global spread of this virus, we recognize that it is possible that one or more of our faculty, staff, or students might eventually be exposed. If this occurs, we are prepared to implement additional social distancing precautions including offering classes in an online format. We will keep you informed about our plans moving forward as we continue communications through our District and TBC Boards.
We will be doing extra cleaning on campus. With recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we will post in large traffic areas around the campus an everyday preventative actions list including:
Symptoms and what to do if you are sick:
According to the CDC, the initial symptoms of the virus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. If you begin experiencing a combination of these symptoms or believe that you might have been exposed to the virus over the past few weeks and are in the Lufkin area, please call your doctor and avoid going to class or interacting with others.
DO NOT go to the Emergency Room or Urgent care. Your doctor will walk you through a series of questions and then make a recommendation for you to travel to a specific location for testing. Should you go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care at a local hospital without notifying them in advance, you run the risk of potentially exposing others to the virus.
Current plans:
At this time, Texas Bible College plans to extend the spring break by one week in order for administration to continue to assess the current trends of the COVID-19 virus, and consider needs, and safety of our faculty, staff, and students due to the many who have traveled across the country during the break. School will resume on Monday, March 23, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation and create a link on our website to share updates as needed. Please share the school website with parents and family members who may have questions and concerns.
For students:
There are a few students already in the area who cannot return home due to hardship or other challenges. Similarly, there may be some already in route to the campus at the time of this notification. Our goal is not to place unnecessary hardships on anyone, but to be of assistance where needed. If you can reschedule travel, we strongly advise that you do so. If you must return to the campus, please make sure that you contact the Dean of Students, Jeremy Gilliam, and make him aware of your intended presence in the dorms. Our Dean of Student will use the list that is compiled from these notifications to ensure that information is properly shared with each student about the protocols in place for social distancing and other preventive measures in the dorms.
We are not aware of anyone at Texas Bible College who has contracted COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who has tested positive. However, given the global spread of this virus, we recognize that it is possible that one or more of our faculty, staff, or students might eventually be exposed. If this occurs, we are prepared to implement additional social distancing precautions including offering classes in an online format. We will keep you informed about our plans moving forward as we continue communications through our District and TBC Boards.
We will be doing extra cleaning on campus. With recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we will post in large traffic areas around the campus an everyday preventative actions list including:
- Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Symptoms and what to do if you are sick:
According to the CDC, the initial symptoms of the virus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. If you begin experiencing a combination of these symptoms or believe that you might have been exposed to the virus over the past few weeks and are in the Lufkin area, please call your doctor and avoid going to class or interacting with others.
DO NOT go to the Emergency Room or Urgent care. Your doctor will walk you through a series of questions and then make a recommendation for you to travel to a specific location for testing. Should you go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care at a local hospital without notifying them in advance, you run the risk of potentially exposing others to the virus.
Current plans:
At this time, Texas Bible College plans to extend the spring break by one week in order for administration to continue to assess the current trends of the COVID-19 virus, and consider needs, and safety of our faculty, staff, and students due to the many who have traveled across the country during the break. School will resume on Monday, March 23, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation and create a link on our website to share updates as needed. Please share the school website with parents and family members who may have questions and concerns.
For students:
There are a few students already in the area who cannot return home due to hardship or other challenges. Similarly, there may be some already in route to the campus at the time of this notification. Our goal is not to place unnecessary hardships on anyone, but to be of assistance where needed. If you can reschedule travel, we strongly advise that you do so. If you must return to the campus, please make sure that you contact the Dean of Students, Jeremy Gilliam, and make him aware of your intended presence in the dorms. Our Dean of Student will use the list that is compiled from these notifications to ensure that information is properly shared with each student about the protocols in place for social distancing and other preventive measures in the dorms.
