The spring semester resumed March 23, with classes provided in an online environment for the remainder of the spring semester. This applies to all Baylor University-related campuses and locations.

Under the City of Waco and McLennan County's Shelter in Place orders through April 21, Baylor University continues to provide limited, yet essential on-campus services.

Baylor essential services include health services, to-go food services, public safety, mail services, residence halls, janitorial/maintenance services, technology support, financial services and certain scientific research. Read more about how the Shelter in Place directions affect the University on the University's COVID-19 website.

The orders state that all individuals currently living within the City of Waco or McLennan County are ordered to shelter at their place of residence and leave their residences only for essential activities, essential governmental functions or to operate essential businesses, using appropriate social distancing. Dallas County, where Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing is located, is operating under similar restrictions.

As a result of the extended orders, all University offices will remain closed to the general public through April 21. However, Baylor remains open - and employees available, regardless of work location - between normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For help accessing resources remotely and for librarian assistance: www.baylor.edu/library/keeplearning.

Additional resources are available at www.baylor.edu/keepteaching.

Click the COVID-19 message at the top of the home page of the Baylor Bookstore website, www.bkstr.com/baylorstore, for the details about:

• FREE Online Shipping Offer: Free Shipping on all items with no minimum purchase. This includes various formats of course materials, supplies, apparel, technology and more. Since many online orders are fulfilled directly from your campus store, Follett will execute online orders as long as the store is accessible by staff.
• Access to eBooks AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE: Gain access to eBooks at no additional charge with your .edu email address. Each student can access up to 7 eBooks for the designated period free of charge.
• Free Shipping on Rental Returns & Deadline Extensions: The campus store is offering free shipping return labels and is also extending the non-return period without penalty to assist with increased returns by mail.
• Please email baylor@bkstr.com if you have any questions or need additional assistance.

Faculty should only meet with students during office hours by phone or online conferencing.

No, the extended spring break and online instruction period will not have any impact on degree plans or hours earned.

Yes, the drop date has been adjusted.

• April 6: Last day on which a student may drop a class for the semester. (REVISED)
• April 6: Last day on which a student may withdraw from the University for the semester. (REVISED)

The revised Spring 2020 Academic Calendar is available on the Office of the Registrar's website. (PDF)

We encourage you to contact your program supervisor.

At this time, there are no changes to the finals schedule. The end of the spring semester is still Friday, May 1, with final exams scheduled from Wednesday, May 6 through Monday, May 11.

The staff at the Paul L. Foster Success Center remains committed to continuing to offer their full array of support services to students and faculty/staff. These services are now offered online using various tools such as Microsoft Teams, Navigate, Zoom, and WebEx. You can read more about their services on the Success Center website or email the Success Center staff during regular working hours at Success_Center@baylor.edu.

Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to elect to convert any of their spring course grades to Pass/Fail at the end of the semester once their final grades have been submitted.

The Pass/Fail Grading Policy for Undergraduate Students, which has been approved by the Deans and President's Council, is for the spring 2020 semester only and reflects the University's prioritization of the health and well-being of our campus community, as well as the ongoing continuity of our academic mission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Pass/Fail Grading Conversion in Spring 2020 are available on the Office of the Registrar website: www.baylor.edu/registrar/index.php?id=967988.

Baylor University has announced a number of adjustments to campus operations, including extending Spring Break for a week (March 16-20) and that classes will resume beginning Monday, March 23, strictly in an online environment through the end of the spring semester. This applies to all Baylor University-related campuses and locations. As the University makes announcements and adjustments, they will be communicated on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) website.

From March 23 through at least April 21, the City of Waco and McLennan County, Texas, where Baylor University is located, will be under a Shelter in Place order. All individuals living in Waco or McLennan County, including the limited number of students in Baylor residence halls, are ordered to shelter at their residence to prevent and slow down community spread of COVID-19. Persons may leave their residences only for essential activities, essential governmental functions or to operate essential businesses, while practicing social distancing (at least six feet from others). Read more about how the Waco Shelter in Place directions affect the University on the University's COVID-19 website.

Baylor essential services include health services, to-go food services, public safety, mail services, residence halls, janitorial/maintenance services, technology support, financial services and certain scientific research.

Dallas County, where Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing is located, is operating under a similar Shelter in Place order.

Baylor's university-wide COVID-19 Task Force, initially formed in late January, continues to work diligently on this unprecedented situation by closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically related to higher education, state and local public health and emergency management authorities and our own health care experts, as well as responses from other universities nationwide. The task force makes recommendations to University leadership to assist Baylor in making well-informed decisions and coordinate responses to ensure the continued health and safety of our community.

The University follows the protocols in place in conjunction with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District and guidance from the CDC if there is a suspected and/or positive case on our campus.

If there is a positive case, individuals identified as having had potential exposure to COVID-19 cases will be directly notified by public health officials in coordination with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. To follow the number of cases diagnosed in Waco and McLennan County, please visit the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District website.

Not at this time. All Visit Experiences and campus tours are suspended through the end of the spring semester. However, Admissions offers Baylor's Virtual Tour and a variety of virtual visit options for a customizable, in-depth look at what Baylor has to offer you. Learn more on the Admissions website. If you have additional questions, contact Campus Visits at Visit@Baylor.edu or 254-710-8687 (TOUR).

No decisions have been made yet on summer camps.

Spring commencement has been postponed.

All University activities, events, conferences and large gatherings are suspended through the end of the spring semester.

• The Mayborn Museum Complex, the Martin Museum of Art and Armstrong Browning Library are temporarily closed to the public.


• The Baylor Bear Habitat is closed temporarily during the City's shelter-in-place order and will remain closed until group gatherings are deemed safe to resume. Status updates will be posted in the Habitat's Instagram bio at www.instagram.com/baylorbearhabitat.

• Starting on Monday (3/23), the BUS service will be limited to essential transportation needs only, including meal pick up.


• Two BUS routes will operate weekdays, from 8:00 AM until 8:30 PM. A BUS will be available once every 30 minutes.


• The main BUS pick-up/drop-off location on campus is in front of Penland Dining Hall.


• The routes are posted on the BUS website at www.baylor.edu/bus and will be on the Waco Transit mobile BUS tracking App.

The university has a limited number of laptops, web cameras, document cameras, microphones and select adapters available. Complete this online form to request the equipment you need. When your request is approved, the equipment can be picked up at the ITS Annex just around the corner from the Baylor Bookstore in the Fifth Street Parking Garage.

For any follow-up questions, please send an email to coronavirus@baylor.edu. Your question will be routed to the appropriate Baylor staff member to address.

International students can reach out to Baylor International Student and Scholar Services at 254-710-1461 or by email at ISSS_Support@baylor.edu.

Baylor's housekeeping services has increased the frequency and depth of cleaning and disinfection in residence halls, dining halls, the University Libraries, McLane Student Life Center, Bill Daniel Student Center (SUB), common spaces and common high-touch contact points, such as doorknobs/handles/push bars, arms/backs of chairs, phones, classroom desks/tabletops/podiums, countertops, elevator buttons, light and room control switches, vending machines, microwave/refrigerator handles, computer equipment, copiers, keyboards and bathrooms. In residence halls, public areas and restrooms are being disinfected three times a day.

We remind everyone to practice good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing -- to lower the risk of becoming ill. As recommended by the CDC -- wash your hands thoroughly and often; cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve/elbow; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; avoid sharing food, beverages, and utensils; clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces; and stay at away from campus if you are sick.

The University continues to address questions and concerns through regular communications and additions to the FAQ section of this page.

No. Students may complete their courses remotely.

We strongly encourage students that you not return to campus or to Waco, as available activities and services are becoming more and more limited on campus and in the City of Waco due to the city and county's Shelter in Place order. In addition, all University activities, events, conferences and large gatherings are suspended through the end of the spring semester.

In observance of social distancing, access to Residence Halls is limited to approved residents only until the residence hall move-out process begins at the end of the semester. CL&L is diligently working on a plan to allow students to move out their remaining belongings as soon as Waco city officials believe it is safe to do so. At this time, please do not come back to campus until we communicate move-out dates and procedures for Residence Halls. We will share that information with you soon.

Campus Living & Learning has completed its Express Essentials delivery process for residents. However, if you have questions about shipping essential items home, please email Living@baylor.edu.

In light of the City of Waco's Shelter in Place order, please do not return to campus at this time. We will communicate move-out dates and procedures later in the semester.

As of March 23, Baylor dining options will be limited to Penland Crossroads and the Penland POD and will only offer food to go.

Penland Crossroads will be open Monday through Sunday:

• 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Penland POD will be open Monday through Sunday:

• Noon to 9 p.m.

If you have special dietary needs or restrictions, please contact registered dietitian Taylor Beard at beard-taylor@aramark.com or 254-710-6462.

During the City of Waco's Shelter in Place order March 23 through April 7, Baylor Libraries will be closed to walk-in traffic; however, library personnel will continue digitizing resources to support online teaching. Access to all of the libraries' digital resources and online research support will continue uninterrupted. Visit baylor.edu/library for more information.

Baylor Health Services in the SLC remains open for students from 8 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To reach the Counseling Center, call 254-710-2467. Also, please read this important information about their services during the spring semester.

Recreational facilities in the SLC are closed.

During the City of Waco's Shelter in Place order March 23-April 21, the Bookstore's physical location on campus is closed to the public. However, staff is still available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday by phone at 254-710-2161 or email at baylor@bkstr.com should you need assistance. Additionally, they will continue to process online orders and provide free ground shipping at baylor.edu/bookstore.

Yes, Baylor announced on March 30 that it will provide prorated credits for housing, meal plans, and parking permits and will pay students receiving federal work-study. In certain circumstances, the credits provided may result in a reimbursement, based on certain criteria. We understand that COVID-19 has impacted students and their families in profound ways, including financially.

While classes have been moved to an online environment, the University's support operations remain open. Also, students can still utilize the University Libraries, Health Services and Baylor Counseling Services, remotely. As it relates to athletic events, the NCAA cancelled all college athletic competition.

While COVID-19 has forced Baylor to change the course delivery for the last half of the semester, students are still enrolled in the same courses with their respective professors and will receive full academic credit on their spring 2020 transcripts for classes completed during this time of online instruction. As such, the University will not be providing a tuition refund.

Housing room rates are prorated based on the daily rate between March 16 (extension of spring break) through May 12 (end of the spring semester).

No. The credit will be applied to any Baylor University cost of attendance, which means Baylor housing, dining, tuition & fees, etc.

All meals plans are prorated by the daily rate associated with the plan. For more information on your specific meal plan and the rate, please contact the Cashier's Office at cashiers_office@baylor.edu.

All unused dining dollars will roll forward to your next semester. If the Spring 2020 semester is your last semester at Baylor, all unused dining dollars will be credited to your account after any outstanding balances have been cleared.

All Meal Plans are prorated by the daily rate associated with the plan.

Baylor faculty have transitioned and adapted their courses for online delivery and have created - to the best of their abilities - an equivalent method of delivery for lab work. Students will receive full academic credit on their spring 2020 transcripts for classes completed during this time of online instruction. As such, lab fees will not be refunded.

The Department of Education is not requiring that we adjust any federal financial aid awards due to credits being applied from the COVID-19.

If your account is eligible for a refund, the refund will be processed no later than Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

If you are eligible for a refund, please sign up for Direct Deposit by logging into BearWeb --> Student Financial Services --> Student Account --> Direct Deposit and add your banking information.

These will be handled case-by-case.

If your account was paid in full by cash, check, credit card or financial aid, your account may be eligible for a refund. If your account was paid in full by wire transfer, please contact the Cashier's Office at cashiers_office@baylor.edu for information.

The parking pass credit is the standard amount offered for refunds made in March.

For students unable to pay the remaining bills for the spring semester, the University will allow you to roll these balances to the summer or fall term. Students and these families will continue to have the option to pay their accounts in full or enroll in the standard or deferred payments plans. The deferred payment plan set-up fee will be reduced. In addition, the University is not placing registration holds for the Summer and Fall semesters on accounts to prevent the students from furthering their education at Baylor University.

Students experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19 related changes can apply for a student emergency award. Applicants must be currently enrolled at Baylor University as a full-time student to be considered. You can find out more about eligibility requirements, examples of needs that may qualify and how to apply at www.baylor.edu/giving/index.php?id=968042.

If you wish to help Baylor students: Many in the Baylor Family have asked how they can help our students. Gifts made to the President's Excellence Fund will be directed to help those who are facing great hurdles during this semester due to COVID-19. Should you or someone you know is interested in making a gift to support our students, gifts can be made online at baylor.scalefunder.com/cfund/project/20554.

Please email coronavirus@baylor.edu, and the appropriate staff member will respond.

Credits for meal plans, room and parking will be applied in the next week. If your account is eligible for a refund, the refund will be processed by April 8, 2020.

We will be reviewing unused Dining Dollars for graduating seniors, and we will process those credits soon, as opposed to waiting until the term is officially over.

If you are not a graduating senior, and you are not returning to Baylor, please complete the Students Not Returning (SNR) Form and contact the Cashier's Office at cashiers_office@baylor.edu.

Since the City of Waco is currently under a Shelter in Place order until April 21, Campus Living & Learning is diligently working on a plan to allow students to move out their remaining belongings as soon as Waco city officials believe it is safe to do so. At this time, please do not come back to campus until CL&L communicates move-out dates and procedures for Residence Halls. CL&L will share that information with you soon.

For students unable to pay the remaining bills for the spring semester, the University will allow you to roll these balances to the summer or fall term. Students and these families will continue to have the option to pay their accounts in full or enroll in the standard or deferred payments plans. In addition, the University is not placing registration holds for the Summer and Fall semesters on accounts to prevent the students from furthering their education at Baylor University.

If you plan to enroll in the summer, the bill will due on May 13, 2020. If you plan to enroll in the Fall, the bill will due on July 31, 2020. Three payment options will be available at www.baylor.edu/ebill:

1. Pay in Full
2. Enroll in the Standard Payment Plan
3. Enroll in the Deferred Payment Plan

The University will provide these students with a $1,000 credit to assist with transition expenses and a $1,500 scholarship to be applied in the next enrolled semester.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

Seek medical advice if you:

• Develop symptoms AND have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.


• Avoid sharing food, beverages, and utensils.


• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.


• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.


• Stay home when you are sick.


• Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow/sleeve or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.


• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Social Distancing is essential. Measures should include keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from others (no handshakes or hugs), canceling in-person meetings and adopting the use of technology methods to meet remotely. The less time you spend with large groups of people the less likely you are to become infected. This is how we flatten the curve and help slow community spread.

The White House, CDC and the state of Texas has issued guidance regarding social distancing through April 3, 2020:

• Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
• Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
• Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
• Avoid eating at restaurants and food courts- use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
• If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.
• If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.

Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Always call ahead before going to the doctor's office or emergency room and tell them your symptoms. They will tell you what to do if that includes self-quarantine or self-isolation. Calling ahead will help the office protect themselves and other patients.

The CDC outlines what to do if you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html

The CDC recommends that if you have traveled from an area with community transmission of the virus, or you have had close contact with a person who has confirmed coronavirus, it is recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days. Secondary contacts, or people who come in contact with asymptomatic travelers or people exposed, do not need to limit their movement. It changes if the primary contact becomes ill; then the household and close contacts of that person are now presumed primary contacts so they should self-quarantine as the ill person self-isolates.

Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

• Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
• Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

The CDC has more information/guidance on isolation and quarantine available on their website: www.cdc.gov/quarantine/quarantineisolation.html.

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 2019 Novel Coronavirus


• World Health Organizations (WHO): Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)


• Texas Department of State Health Services


• Waco-McLennan County Public Health District


• Baylor Health Services

Employees who are sick or suspect they are sick should stay home and contact a health care provider. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas provides you and your covered dependents access to virtual healthcare for non-emergency medical and behavioral health needs through MDLive. Login to www.mdlive.com/bcbstx or call 1-888-680-8646.

For specific guidance related the University's leave policies please consult with Human Resources. Completion of medical documentation and or doctor's notes to approve sick leave or provide an initial designation of FMLA will not be immediately required. The University may require individuals to provide medical certifications as follow up documentation after the dates the sick leave was taken.

As part of the campus community, Human Resources is focused on ensuring a healthy workplace. Faculty and staff also have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides access to other free and confidential resources.

Effective April 1, 2020, Behavioral Health Services were added to the current MDLive telehealth resource. Through Behavioral Health Services with MDLive, Baylor health plan members and dependents have 24/7 access through MDLive to licensed counselors, therapists and psychiatrists for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and loss or relationship problems. Please refer to the FAQs below regarding telehealth options and MDLive to learn more about utilizing this service and related cost.

Yes. As a BCBSTX member, you won't pay copays, deductibles or coinsurance for testing to diagnose COVID-19 or for testing-related visits with in-network or out-of-network providers, whether at a provider's office, urgent care clinic, emergency room or by telehealth. If you seek treatment with an out-of-network provider, the visit will be covered at 100% up to the allowable amount. Prior authorization for testing-related visits is not required.

Members can contact Blue Cross Blue Shield directly at 800-521-2227 to speak to a Benefits Value Advisor for answers to their specific benefit questions or can access participant-specific information online at bcbstx.com. The Baylor HR team is available to assist at askhr@baylor.edu or at 254-710-2000.

Yes, the Baylor University HDHP or PPO health plans include telehealth coverage through MDLIVE. MDLIVE offers you and your covered dependents access to virtual healthcare for your non-emergency medical and behavioral health needs, 24/7 from the comfort of your home after you have created an online account. Here is what you need to know:

• All telehealth visits with MDLIVE or with your in-network provider are covered at 100% with no copay, deductible or coinsurance for both the PPO and HDHP plans until further notice.
• MDLIVE physicians diagnose and treat 50 of the most common conditions, along with providing temporary prescription refills.
• Speak with a licensed counselor, therapist or psychiatrist for support. You can choose who you want to work with for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and loss or relationship problems.
• If concerns for COVID-19 are present during your medical assessment, the MDLIVE physician will help guide you to the appropriate level of care.

You can access MDLIVE online at: www.mdlive.com/bcbstx, by phone: 888-680-8646 or simply text "BCBSTX" to 635483 to receive a link to get started.

1. You must register to use your MDLIVE account. We recommend you register now, so you are prepared when you need quality care.
2. Request to see a doctor. MDLIVE doctors are available by phone or video. You can request to wait to see a doctor right away or schedule your appointment for a time that works for you.
3. Have your visit. MDLIVE doctor will go through your symptoms, recommend a treatment, and can even send a prescription to your nearest pharmacy as needed.

Beginning March 1, 2020 for PPO Plan members and March 19, 2020 for HDHP members, all fees associated with utilizing MDLIVE are temporarily waived. Please note, due to the time involved with making this temporary modification to the plan, you may be required to initially pay when utilizing MDLIVE. This charge will be re-processed by Blue Cross Blue Shield to initiate a refund.

Yes. Visit www.cvs.com/content/coronavirus to request free delivery of prescription drugs and review other helpful resources available to you through CVS. If you have questions about a medication delivery, please call CVS Customer Care at 866-260-4646.

Visit www.tiaa.org/baylor to login to your account, or contact TIAA directly at 800-842-2252 for assistance.

Baylor has partnered with CAPTRUST to provide you with independent financial advice for your Baylor Retirement Plan and Baylor 457b Plan account at no cost to you. To schedule a virtual one-on-one meeting with a CAPTRUST Participant Advisory Services (PAS) representative, please follow this link. Schedule an Appointment.

For additional appointment times and resources, please contact CAPTRUST at 800-967-9948 or visit them at www.captrustadvice.com.

TIAA provides individual financial counselors to support plan participants at no cost. In addition, TIAA offers webinars for anyone who may be interested in becoming more financially savvy about planning for retirement. Call TIAA at 800-842-2252 or go to www.tiaa.org/baylor to schedule a meeting with a TIAA advisor. Webinars can be accessed at www.tiaa.org/webinars.

Baylor University has temporarily waived a few provisions under the Paid Caregiver Leave BUPP 423. Paid Caregiver leave will be available to staff to cover needed leave for the illness of self or family members in the event the staff member has exhausted all available sick time. Caregiver leave will also be available, up to approved amount, when not able to work either due to limited work or no work available.

To utilize this benefit to cover unworked hours during this time, please complete the Caregiver Leave Form, indicate the "other" option, and email the form to askhr@baylor.edu. Please copy your supervisor on this email. HR will automatically approve the request. Non-exempt staff will notate the use of this leave by choosing the caregiver leave option on your timecard within BearWeb. Exempt staff will track the use of this leave through their monthly tracking form turned into their department's leave coordinator. The amount of leave available for Caregiver Leave is based on full-time equivalent (FTE) (i.e., a part-time employee normally scheduled for 20 hours per week will have 80 hours of caregiver leave as opposed to a full-time employee scheduled to work 40 hours per week will have 160 hours of caregiver leave). Employees cannot use paid leave benefits to extend beyond their normally scheduled hours per week.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a $2 trillion stimulus bill that is intended to help with a variety of issues resulting from the widespread COVID-19 virus, also known as the coronavirus. Several provisions in the Act will expand access to 403(b) retirement plan assets due to the COVID-19 pandemic and permit a person to skip certain Required Minimum Distributions. The CARES Act does not pertain to non-governmental 457(b) salary deferral agreements. Click the following link for more FAQs about withdrawals, loans and required minimum distributions. CARES Act - FAQs for the Baylor Retirement Plan

As Baylor experiences daily updates to the unfolding of COVID19 news and federal and state decisions, the University's operations will shift to meet the needs of students who remain on campus, maintain safety and security of our Baylor community, and ensure continuity of business needs. Faculty and staff should communicate with their supervisors regarding work demands and required locations to conduct their work.

Please follow CDC guidance to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms, including fever, cough and shortness of breath. Any employee who has virus-like symptoms should disclose this information, self-isolate, and immediately obtain health care. If you experience any of these symptoms, please notify your supervisor, stay away from campus and call your doctor or health care provider.

Baylor is offering a temporary telework work option to faculty and staff as a resource. During temporary remote work options, employees should plan to be available during normal business hours to perform their regular tasks, as well as to attend meetings virtually. Employees working remotely may be required to report to campus for certain meetings and may be asked to return to their regular, in-office work location with short notice. As always, non-working time away from the office should be coordinated with and approved by supervisors regardless of whether you are working on campus or virtually.

In accordance with Americans with Disability Act protections, employees are not required to disclose if they are in a high-risk category based upon a preexisting medical disability. If an employee voluntarily discloses, this information will be confidential in accordance with Baylor personnel policies.

We suggest utilizing email, phones, and Microsoft Teams for communication and virtual meetings. Supervisors should communicate best methods for different needs of communication. Other resources available for aiding in remote work may be found on www.baylor.edu/keepworking. Any changes to work schedules or needed work arrangements should be communicated with your supervisor as soon as possible so that available time is known to your team.

Bearweb can be accessed remotely by visiting bearweb.baylor.edu and logging in with DUO. Employees can enter time through the web portal and submit for supervisor approval. If an employee does not have access at home and time cannot be entered for a pay period, the Payroll office will enter standard work hours for that employee to ensure they are paid for the pay period. All time should continue to be tracked as appropriate and meal periods should be reflected appropriately on timecards. Any use of paid leave benefits should be included in your time record.

All international travel for students, faculty and staff has currently been suspended. All domestic travel has been restricted to essential business purposes only. Any mission-critical exceptions must be approved in advance by the appropriate senior administrator. We continue to monitor all federal or state mandates regarding travel both international and domestic and will provide updates as needed.

Each School, Department or Division determines business essential positions that require employees to report to work on a campus location during a shelter-in-place directive. Supervisors communicate work locations to employees. Should an employee be required to report to work on campus, the following University expectations apply. Human Resources may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

• Well Employees with / without possible secondary exposure to COVID-19: Faculty and staff who are well and not on leave are expected to work unless one of the following applies:
  • The employee has been in contact with or is caring for someone who is ill with known or suspected COVID-19 ("secondary exposure"). If an employee has a secondary exposure, they should follow CDC directions and self-isolate;
  • The employee or a member of their family in which they have ongoing, close contact is considered part of the high-risk group for COVID-19 by the CDC;
  • The employee needs flexibility as childcare or school is unavailable;
  • The employee has been instructed to refrain from attending work by a health care provider or public health official.
• Sick Employees: Faculty and staff who have symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever, and any other symptoms for at least 72 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., cough suppressants). A fever is defined as a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius taken by an oral thermometer. Those with concerns or questions about whether to come to work should consult with their health care provider and may be required to have documented return to work authorization.

The deadline for completing staff performance discussions has been extended by three weeks to Friday, April 10. Please ensure that all conversations with employees have occurred and been documented in BaylorCompass prior to that date. As a reminder, these conversations can take place virtually via Teams. For assistance with any review-related items, please contact the HR Service Center at askhr@baylor.edu or at 254-710-2000.

Workers Compensation is a form of insurance that is provided and designed to protect employees who experience a work-related injury or illness. Although neither Baylor nor the insurance agent can prejudge a claim, if you believe you contracted COVID-19 in the course and scope of your work, complete the Incident Report Form. Baylor's Insurance Program Manager will then file your claim with The Hartford, our insurance carrier. All future communication will be with the Insurance Program Manager, your adjuster, and yourself. If you need emergency medical attention or treatment after office hours due to an illness you believe is work-related, please inform the Medical Provider that this is a Workers Compensation claim. If the incident is a Workers Compensation claim, please don't provide your personal health insurance and contact your Insurance Program Manager.

Personnel who come in direct contact (<6 ft for more than 10 min) with a person who is presumptively or confirmed to be positive for COVID-19 should self-quarantine and monitor themselves for any symptoms for 14 days. Should a person start showing symptoms, seek medical treatment, remain in self-isolation until symptom free and fever free for 72 hours, and otherwise follow medical advice.

Personnel who have indirect contact (> 6 ft) with a person who is presumptively or confirmed positive for COVID-19 should monitor for symptoms. They should self-isolate if they develop symptoms. Should a person start showing symptoms, seek medical treatment and remain in self-isolation until symptom free and fever free for 72 hours, and otherwise follow medical advice.

Baylor shifted to as much telework for faculty and staff as possible. Beginning March 23, 2020 at 5 p.m., all University offices were closed to the general public and all building entrances transitioned to card-swipe access only for faculty, staff and students. Employees should contact their supervisor to discuss any required on-campus staffing for the individual offices.

Some employees may have to return to campus periodically to complete essential parts of their work or to support business continuity. If employees maintaining essential business operations do not feel comfortable coming to work for any reason, employees should consult with their supervisor. Whether an employee is at home teleworking or on campus, they should continue to strengthen personal health protection, including social distancing practices, and follow the instructions of federal, state and local officials. If an employee is sick and needing to return to campus for work, they must contact their supervisor, stay home and follow CDC guidance for what to do next. Sick employees or those who are suspected of being sick may not come to campus.

Critical aspects of Baylor business operations, as considered essential under the City of Waco Shelter in Place order, will continue. These include: health services, food services that are available to-go, emergency responders, public safety, mail services, some financial services, residence halls, janitorial and maintenance services, limited library services, certain technology support, and certain scientific research.

Residence halls, Penland Crossroads dining hall (food available to-go only), and Health Services in the McLane Student Life Center will stay physically open for the limited number of students who received waivers to stay on campus. The Counseling Center will serve students via technology connections through the remainder of the semester.

Baylor Libraries are closed to walk-in traffic. However, a limited number of library personnel will continue digitizing resources to support online teaching and provide other required support. Access to all of the libraries' digital resources and online research support will continue uninterrupted. Visit www.baylor.edu/library for more information.

Regarding ongoing scientific research, the Provost's Office provides the following guidance:

• To the extent possible, Baylor researchers are encouraged to engage in activities that can be performed remotely (e.g., writing, data analysis, etc.).
• Essential laboratory operations are permissible, provided they can be performed while meeting the "6-feet" requirement for social distancing.
• Principal investigators (PIs) who wish to temporarily "close" their labs should use the checklist provided to ramp down laboratory operations.

Yes, current commitments to new hires will be honored. However, it will be important that you as the manager carefully plan their onboarding experience and consider what it takes to onboard a new employee virtually. Prior to your new employee starting at Baylor, your Talent Acquisition Specialist will reach out to you to discuss any additional resources you may need to assist in onboarding the new hire.

Most likely, no. A newly hired employee reporting for work should report remotely unless there is an essential need for them to report to campus. Any onboarding documentation (Example: Benefits and I-9 verification) required from Human Resources will be facilitated remotely. Your Talent Acquisition Specialist will have more information on these specifics.

As a result of the University's COVID-19 response, recruiting, selection and hiring activities will be halted for most positions. Only positions approved by President's Council will be allowed to continue the recruitment process. If you're unaware if your position is approved for recruitment, please reach out to your respective HR Consultant.

Job requisitions currently posted will be removed from the website until approval to proceed with the recruitment process from President's Council is obtained.

You should first consider filling the needs of the vacancy with current staff within your Division or the broader University. Many staff have experienced reductions in workload due to the limited campus operations and minimal student traffic on campus. Existing Baylor staff may be able to fill this need through a redeployment. The redeployment option may provide you with a resource who is familiar with Baylor and could potentially begin with minimal workplace assimilation. Reach out to your HR Consultant to discuss the need that exists within your department, and your HR Consultant will work with you through the next steps to potentially fill this need with a redeployed, internal Baylor resource.

Current, and any pending, vacancies will not be posted until further decisions are made by President's Council. Leadership will continue to assess the COVID-19 impacts to Summer and Fall enrollment and make decisions accordingly. If there is an immediate need for a staff resource, you should reallocate resources within your current department (if possible) and if not, reach out to your HR Consultant to discuss availability of other staff resources across campus.

No, the priority should be to redeploy resources within your current department or within the broader University. Similar to regularly funded positions, temporary positions will not be posted or hired at this time.

This hiring pause does not remove the budget associated with these positions. However, leadership and managers will continue to be asked to be judicious stewards of University funding. Business Officers will continue to be involved in work force planning and leading these decisions in the future.

No. Any student receiving FWS - who is currently working their job - will be ineligible to receive the lump sum payout and should continue to work their job.

A student may apply for a new job and will be reviewed for eligibility based on their current student eligibility.

The amount of a payment will be based on the average number of weeks a student worked in the six weeks prior to spring break but will not exceed the student's remaining federal work-study award. These payments will be processed through Baylor's Payroll Office by Friday, April 10, 2020.

No, at this time, we are asking students to remain at their permanent addresses and not return to campus. Managers of students should not require their student to return for on-campus work. If a student can work remotely, we ask that students and their managers to coordinate alternative work arrangements if the department's work permits.

Please see the resources on the University's Coronavirus Current Status page regarding student on-campus housing and dining.

The same precautions and checkpoints should be reviewed as with Faculty and Staff employees to ensure that these students are healthy and able to return to campus.

Students returning from travel should follow the same CDC guidelines as Faculty and Staff employees in assessing their risk level before returning to work.

Managers should not ask students to disclose their health and medical information. Please use the same discretion as you would with Faculty and Staff employees. We also ask that, should any student show signs or symptoms of any illness, that student should leave campus immediately and seek treatment from a healthcare professional.

Yes, with their manager's and department's approval and depending on the availability of work that can be performed remotely.

At this time, we are asking students to remain at their permanent residences and not return to campus. Managers of students should not require their students to return to campus for work. If they are a local resident and can work remotely, we ask that students and their managers coordinate alternative work arrangements if the department's work permits it.

We are asking departments to be flexible, creative and make decisions based on what is best for the student and the campus community at large. Keep in mind that the Student, Faculty, and Staff population could primarily be remote and coverage needs will change.

During the extended Spring Break week, students were permitted to work up to 40 hours. Now that classes have begun again, students are not permitted to work more than 20 hours.

Students who have been authorized to work remotely will enter hours in BearWeb as normal.

For students with federal work-study jobs, Baylor will provide a lump sum payment based on the average number of hours the student worked leading up to spring break. If a student is not eligible for a lump sum payment and is experiencing financial hardship, we encourage students to seek support by completing the application for the President's Excellence Fund.

Students will not be paid for hours not worked. If a student is sick or has been advised by a health care professional not to return to work and is receiving Federal Work Study, please contact Student Employment to discuss the specific situation further.

Graduate students who are teacher of record for a course (TA1) should continue to teach their classes but will do so online, just as other Baylor faculty are doing. The President's email describes training available for them.

Graduate students who teach lab sections (TA1) should contact their professors to coordinate the move to online instruction.

Graduate students who are RA1 (paid through grant or contract funds) should continue to do their work/research as usual.

Graduate students who are RA3 (working in a clinical setting) will, in most cases, continue to do their work as usual. Many of our professional programs have clinical placements and internships that may be affected. Most are anticipating revised regulations from accrediting agencies at which time we will defer to each program on making those decisions.

Graduate students who are RA4 (conducting research, paid monthly) should check with their faculty research supervisors.

Graduate students who work as TA2 or RA2 should check with their supervisors and come to a decision on whether their work will/should continue during the extended spring break and ongoing online classes for the remainder of the semester. If the supervisor agrees, the students may come in to work and log their hours as usual. However, if students are concerned that coming to work presents a health risk, they may choose to stay home and, if feasible, they may work from home in order to continue to be paid.

Managers can find a quick resource guide to supporting telework arrangements at www.baylor.edu/keepworking.

Employees can find tips for working remotely by visiting www.baylor.edu/keepworking.

You should contact your supervisor to let them know you are no longer able to work your full work schedule. If you become unable to work to care for an immediate family member due to sickness, you should utilize sick leave accruals until exhausted and then you would apply for and utilize paid caregiver leave as available. If you are unable to work in full or intermittent basis due to dependent care issues, then caregiver leave or vacation accruals may be utilized. If you are unable to work due to outside obligations or planned absences, then you should utilize your vacation accruals. Any time that you are unavailable to work you should notate that in your calendar as time out of the office.

If you have a reduced work schedule or no work assignments available, then an employee may use caregiver leave or vacation accruals to make up their regular work schedule up to the approved amount.

To utilize this benefit to cover unworked hours during this time, please complete the Caregiver Leave Form, indicate the "other" option, and email the form to askhr@baylor.edu. We will automatically approve the request. Non-exempt staff will notate the use of this leave by choosing the caregiver leave option on your timecard within BearWeb. Exempt staff will track the use of this leave through their monthly tracking form and turned into their department's leave coordinator.

Employees should keep in regular contact with their supervisor regarding work assignments and any return to work plans.

Employees should contact their supervisor to let them know you are no longer able to work due to illness. Employees should not work when they are sick and instead focus on their return to good health. Your actual sick time should be accounted for through your use of sick leave accruals. Caregiver leave may be available for time needed beyond your sick leave accruals.

Baylor University is currently suspending the requirement under the Telework policy that employees should have dependent care arrangements in place, understanding the need to be flexible during this particular response to COVID-19. Employees should balance the need to complete work assignments in a timely manner and with respect to deadlines by flexing their hours available to work within the work week.

Baylor University is currently suspending this requirement under the Telework policy, understanding the need to be flexible during this particular response to COVID-19.

Teleworkers - who are bi-weekly and eligible for overtime - are required to accurately record all hours worked. For non-exempt/hourly staff, hours worked in excess of those scheduled per day and per workweek require advanced supervisor approval. Any time away from work for lunch or breaks greater than 30 minutes should not be recorded as work time.

At this time, when not engaged in work, hours should be accounted for through use of caregiver leave, vacation accruals, or time unpaid. For example: a normal work schedule is 40 hours per week and through the course of the week you work 30 hours. The remaining 10 hours of time not engaged in work can be recorded as caregiver leave first and once depleted can be recorded as available vacation time or unpaid leave.

Not all positions can be supported through telework arrangements. Supervisors may determine work responsibilities can only be supported in part thus reducing hours available for telework. This should be discussed with your supervisor prior to or as needed throughout telework arrangements. Any hours that are not accounted for through work hours may be supplemented with caregiver leave, vacation accruals or as time unpaid.

For example: A normal work schedule is 40 hours per week and through the course of the week you work 30 hours. The remaining 10 hours of time not engaged in work can be recorded as caregiver leave first and once depleted can be recorded as available vacation time or unpaid leave.

Though Baylor policies do not apply to the employment of student workers, supervisors are asked to approach student worker responsibilities with the same approach. Where the work can be supported through remote work, the University would recommend supporting those efforts.

While on telework status, employees should remain available by email, phone call, and/or video conferencing during regular scheduled hours and as requested. Under policy, the University may withdraw authority for an employee to be a teleworker. Employees should maintain shared calendaring as requested by their supervisor and keep calendars up to date. Time away from work during normal work hours should be noted as out of office or unavailable within their calendars .

Teleworking employees may use University-owned equipment to the extent it is available and in accordance with University Information Technology Services policies and procedures. Employees required to work remote may bring required equipment home for work use, keeping in mind all Baylor property must be returned either at end of telework assignment or end of employment. This may include computer monitors and desktop computers. Employees must safeguard University information used or accessed while teleworking. It is the responsibility of the employee to have the appropriate internet access to conduct the necessary work of the position or assignment. Some cell phone plans provide for "hot spot" access through their cellular data plan if there is not internet access available.

Currently, employees are permitted to work onsite, and some employees are required to work onsite if needed to support essential operations of Campus. Should Campus close to essential personnel only, your supervisor will notify you of your status and requirement to work onsite or your need to work remotely. If you are required to work remotely, then any access to campus should be coordinated and approved by your supervisor unless indicated otherwise by Baylor leadership.

To utilize Paid Caregiver Leave, BUPP 423 to cover unworked hours or needed leave for illness of self or family members beyond personal sick leave accruals, please complete the Caregiver Leave Form, indicate the "other" option and email the form to askhr@baylor.edu. Please copy your supervisor on this email. We will automatically approve the request. Non-exempt staff will notate the use of this leave by choosing the caregiver leave option on your timecard within BearWeb. Exempt staff will track the use of this leave through their monthly tracking form and turn it into their department's leave coordinator.

If your job responsibilities do not support ongoing telework or you have completed all work available, then you should reach out to your supervisor to inform them you will be starting to take paid leave benefits to maintain your regular scheduled hours. An employee may use caregiver leave or vacation accruals to make up their regular work schedule up to the approved amount.

To utilize caregiver benefits to cover unworked hours during this time, please complete the Caregiver Leave Form, indicate the "other" option, and email the form to askhr@baylor.edu and copy your supervisor on the email. HR will automatically approve the request. Non-exempt staff will notate the use of this leave by choosing the caregiver leave option on your timecard within BearWeb. Exempt staff will track the use of this leave through their monthly tracking form turned into their department's leave coordinator. The amount of leave available for Caregiver Leave is based on full-time equivalent (FTE) (i.e., a part-time employee normally scheduled for 20 hours per week will have 80 hours of caregiver leave as opposed to a full-time employee scheduled to work 40 hours per week will have 160 hours of caregiver leave). Employees cannot use paid leave benefits to extend beyond their normally scheduled hours per week.

This is a perfect time to look at opportunities to start and/or complete projects that have not been done due to time constraints within the department or position. If you have employees with the skill set and ability to work on projects, that may be an option.

This is also a great time for staff to hone their skills through online training. Baylor provides free online training to their faculty and staff through LinkedIn Learning as well as RightNow Media at Work. Get set up on LinkedIn Learning if you do not already have access. As a manager, you may browse the learning libraries and assign specific training courses to an employee that would enhance their skills related to their position.

If there is a time where work is simply not available, then employees should utilize the paid leave benefits through the Caregiver Leave Policy and their Vacation accruals. Please complete the Caregiver Leave Form, indicate the "other" option, and email the form to askhr@baylor.edu and copy your supervisor on the email. HR will automatically approve the request. Non-exempt staff will notate the use of this leave by choosing the caregiver leave option on your timecard within BearWeb. Exempt staff will track the use of this leave through their monthly tracking form turned into their department's leave coordinator. The amount of leave available for Caregiver Leave is based on full-time equivalent (FTE) (i.e., a part-time employee normally scheduled for 20 hours per week will have 80 hours of caregiver leave as opposed to a full-time employee scheduled to work 40 hours per week will have 160 hours of caregiver leave). Employees cannot use paid leave benefits to extend beyond their normally scheduled hours per week.

If you are a Baylor student and concerned that you may have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, call the Baylor Health Services dedicated nurse line at 254-710-4939. This phone line is for questions or concerns about the coronavirus and will be answered by nurses from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Baylor Health Services will be able to make appointments at this phone number for testing for the coronavirus, if you meet several required criteria.

For students who need regular health care, appointments with Baylor Health Services can be made by calling 254-710-1010 or online through the Health Portal log-in on the health services website.

The Office of Baylor Spiritual Life and University Chaplain Burt Burleson offer pastoral care and other spiritual resources for students and the Baylor community by phone at 254-710-1735, by email and on their website at www.baylor.edu/spirituallife/onlinecare. For pastoral care, reach out to Kristen Richardson, director of pastoral care, at Kristen_Richardson@baylor.edu, and Brianna Childs, ministry associate for pastoral care, at Brianna_Childs@baylor.edu. Students also may reach out to Resident Chaplains.

The Baylor Counseling Center can be reached 24/7 at 254-710-2467. Students also may email Counseling_Center@baylor.edu. Please read the important update on available Counseling services on the Counseling Center website.

If students are covered by the Baylor University Student Insurance plan, underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, they will be covered in Waco or anywhere in the world for coronavirus testing at 100% as well as treatment as any other condition.

Also, a highly recommended option for students is the telemedicine program called "Virtual Visits" that is part of the insurance plan for a $35 copayment. VIDEO: How to use the Virtual Visit service.

Academic Health Plans is providing its Student Assistance Plan to ALL Baylor students (on-campus and online) at no cost for the rest of the Spring 2020 semester. The SAP includes access to a 24/7 Care Center (including weekends and holidays), life and wellbeing resources and helpful online and mobile tools. To receive assistance through this program, students can call (855) 850-4301.

All international travel for students, faculty and staff has been suspended through the end of the spring semester.

In addition, all domestic travel has been restricted to essential business purposes only through the end of the spring semester. This restriction includes academic conferences. Any mission-critical exceptions must be approved in advance by the appropriate senior administrator.

If you traveled over spring break either internationally or domestically to areas with widespread, ongoing community spread of COVID-19, you should follow CDC guidance to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms, including fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult with your supervisor, stay away from campus and call your doctor or health care provider.

The CDC recommends that if you have traveled from an area with community transmission of the virus, or you have had close contact with a person who has confirmed coronavirus, it is recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days. Secondary contacts, or people who come in contact with asymptomatic travelers or people exposed, do not need to limit their movement. It changes if the primary contact becomes ill; then the household and close contacts of that person are now presumed primary contacts so they should self-quarantine as the ill person self-isolates.

All study abroad and international mission trips for this summer have been canceled. For refund information, please contact the Center for Global Engagement or Baylor Missions.

We are exploring alternative opportunities and experiences for students as well as the possibility of opening up additional course sections over the summer months.

Baylor Procurement Services has provided Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on its website about reimbursements, refunds and additional information related to University-sponsored travel: www.baylor.edu/procurement/purchasing/index.php?id=45033

Baylor Procurement Services has provided Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on its website about reimbursements, refunds and additional information related to University-sponsored travel.