Midwestern State University (MSU) recognizes some students with chronic medical conditions may identify with a heightened sense of risk. The University is committed to students continuing their academic path.
For Fall 2020, students should make an informed decision on whether to enroll in the online option or classes in person. Please visit Instruction Modalities for a list of class options that will be provided, such as face-to-face, hybrid, fully online, etc. There are heightened and unpredictable health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Risks include exposure to asymptomatic carriers of the virus, as well as virus transfer through face-to-face communications and sharing spaces with others. Ultimately, the final decision resides with the individual student and their health care provider.
Students who have known health conditions that present a higher risk of serious illness as identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should be fully aware of the steps the university is incorporating into the on-campus option as outlined on the MSU Texas Return to Campus website.
This information should play a significant role in the decision-making process regarding attending remotely or being on campus. The MSU Texas Return to Campus is the source for the most current information regarding the measures the university is taking to minimize exposure and risk. This resource can inform students of the environment they will be choosing to participate in when they make the decision to attend in-person this fall.
Below are a few questions that you may have about your time on campus. We encourage you to explore the information thoroughly. Please note that this process and any adjustments that result are temporary and should not be confused with disability accommodations, which is an entirely separate matter. If you have more questions, please feel free to reach out via our Disability Support Services website, by phone at (940) 397-4140 or via email at disabilityservices@msutexas.edu.
What if I plan to take classes on campus but I have an underlying health issue?
The following process applies to students who by diagnosis are immunosuppressed or, because of a medical treatment plan, including medication, may have a suppressed immune system. As mentioned previously, this process and any adjustments that result are temporary and should not be confused with disability accommodations, which is an entirely separate matter. Students who choose to be on-campus for fall 2020 but have concerns about their medically related risk factor(s) and feel the need to seek adjustments should complete a Request for COVID Consultation form. For the best experience, students should initiate this process as early as possible.
The DSS will arrange to review your medical records and may need to discuss your concerns to determine what adjustments, if any, may be put in place. Students desiring a consultation will need to provide medical records that reflect current status, diagnosis, treatment plan and prescribed current medications.
What are the risk factors?
Individuals may have one or more of the known factors that present a higher risk of serious illness if they are exposed to COVID-19. Below is a list of known risk factors provided by the CDC. Please check the CDC Website for a more comprehensive and updated list.
- Age, which is defined as people over the age of 65.
- Serious Heart Conditions, which include history of heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, or pulmonary hypertension
- Chronic Lung Disease, which includes history of COPD, Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, or cystic fibrosis
- Moderate to severe Asthma
- Diabetes, including Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes
- Suppressed Immune Disorders, which include individuals undergoing cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplant; individuals with HIV and other immune deficiencies; and, individuals on prolonged steroid medications or other immune-suppressants
- Auto Immune Disorders, which include rheumatoid arthritis; systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis
- Hyper Immune Responsive Individuals, which includes history of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis
- Hematological Cancers, which include history of leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myelomas
- Chronic Kidney Disease, which includes individuals who are undergoing dialysis to manage and treat chronic kidney disease
- Chronic Liver Disease, which includes history of cirrhosis, intravenous drug users, individuals who are homeless or have unstable housing, or recently incarcerated individuals
What is the process for working with the DSS on this issue?
The following process will be used to manage student requests for adjustments due to COVID-19 and pre-existing conditions related to all curricular and co-curricular offerings such as housing, dining, and academics.
- A student with an identified risk completes the Request for COVID Consultation form and submits it to the DSS. Student will also need to submit their medical documentation that identifies current status, diagnosis, treatment plan and prescribed current medications on official letterhead from medical health professional.
- The DSS reviews the submitted request and medical records and may need to arrange to meet with the student.
- The DSS consults with the student, reviews documentation and the list of adjustments that are available, and makes a determination of what, if any, adjustments are necessary for the student.
- The DSS provides a letter to the student that states the adjustments that should take place.
- This process is designed to work through exposure-based concerns students have due to their decision to physically attend classes in the wake of the COVID-19 experience. Please note that this process and any adjustments that result are temporary and should not be confused with disability accommodations, which is an entirely separate matter. Should a student’s pre-existing conditions be exacerbated by exposure, it could move the student’s situation into the traditional stream of disability related accommodation determination, which requires a deeper analysis. This may require additional, more-detailed medical documentation from the student.
It is understood this list is not exclusive, and the reason for the review process is to fully consider the individual student situation and their request for an adjustment given their unique situation.