Current Situation

The Spring 2023 semester began Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. The last day of Spring classes is May 2, 2024.

UPDATED VIRUS RECOMMENDATIONS: On March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV. Baylor Health Services also follows these current CDC virus guidelines: 

  • Stay home until feeling better for 24 hours and fever-free without using fever-reducing medicines for 24 hours.
  • It is further recommended that people wear well-fitting masks, use air purifiers and avoid being in contact with those at risk of severe illness, as well as avoiding being around others in crowded environments. 

As part of the guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies:

  • Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19 and RSV if eligible.
  • Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
  • Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air or gathering outdoors.

Symptomatic COVID testing: Home test kits are widely available.

  • Students who are symptomatic can schedule a testing appointment with the Baylor Health Center through the Health Portal.
  • Faculty & staff should contact their personal healthcare provider for testing or use a home test.

Optional face coverings in all outdoor/indoor areas, including classrooms & labs. Faculty, staff & students can choose to wear a face covering based on their individual health & safety needs.

October 21, 2022

WACO, Texas (Oct. 21, 2022) – The Baylor University Health Center is offering the updated Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine for Baylor students, faculty and staff, as well as spouses and dependents 12+, during an extended booster clinic from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the first floor lounge area of the McLane Student Life Center.

October 6, 2022

WACO, Texas (Oct. 6, 2022) – The Baylor University Health Center is offering the updated Moderna and Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines for Baylor students, faculty and staff, as well as spouses and dependents. Flu vaccinations also are available for students, faculty and staff at convenient mobile flu shot clinics scheduled through November.

September 27, 2022

WACO, Texas (Sept. 27, 2022) – With health experts expecting a more intense flu season this year, Baylor Health Services will host mobile flu vaccination clinics for students and employees at locations throughout campus in October and November. In addition, Health Services will hold an extended COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Friday, Sept. 30, to give the new Moderna bivalent booster.

September 13, 2022

WACO, Texas (Sept. 13, 2022) – The Baylor University Health Center has received a shipment of Moderna’s new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine, which is available now for Baylor students, faculty and staff.

August 24, 2022

With the Fall 2022 semester underway, Baylor University has updated its COVID-19 protocols, most notably on Isolation/Quarantine, as well as face coverings, testing and vaccination. The protocols are based on the latest guidance from the CDC and the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.

March 3, 2022

It was such a joy last week to experience the musical and dance talents of the more than 1,500 students who participated in Sing this spring.

February 24, 2022

One outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic is that we have the ability to temporarily pivot to remote instruction and operations when winter weather conditions threaten. Gone are the days of waking up at 5 a.m. to see if it will be an ice or snow day. Of course, I fondly remember those snow days from when I was in college!

February 17, 2022

Today we are announcing the rescission of the University's facemask policy for classrooms and labs when used in academic settings. In other words, facemasks will be optional at Baylor – other than when requested in private offices – effective this Monday, Feb. 21.

February 17, 2022

As many of you are probably aware, many states, colleges and universities, and other organizations across the country are beginning to loosen their facemask requirements in response to the declining prevalence of COVID-19.