Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update

Coronavirus COVID-19 Statement

Texas Southern University and the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) continues to monitor local, state and national COVID-19 developments. It is important to note that there have been no cases of COVID-19 among TSU faculty, staff or students, and no known direct exposure within the TSU community to anyone with confirmed Coronavirus. 

We are working to prioritize the health and safety of the TSU and COPHS communities.

TSU is in contact with both the city and county with regard to the ongoing developments. As Mayor Turner indicated in his remarks, now is not a time to panic or cause unnecessary alarm. Rather, it is a time to stay diligent and aware, and to follow all precautions related to the situation.

Spring Break Travel Considerations

We know that Spring Break is a time when many TSU students, faculty and staff travel away from Houston. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, there are certain risks you should consider before traveling. First, we advise you to reconsider any unnecessary travel – especially if it involves international travel – or travel to areas or events that have a high density of people, or a high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Center for Disease Control maintains a list of countries in this regard: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/.

If you are traveling to a country identified by the CDC with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice (currently Italy, China, South Korea, Iran and Venezuela), depending on your travel history, you will be asked to stay home in self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread. To help the university best assess potential exposure and risks to our campus community, we are asking any student, faculty or staff member who is traveling internationally during Spring Break to let us know in advance by using this form.

TSU-Sponsored Travel

Effective immediately, TSU has cancelled all university-sponsored foreign travel, including any international study abroad trips through at least the end of summer 2020. If you are registered for a study abroad trip, please contact your faculty advisor as soon as possible for more details. This travel restriction also applies to any faculty or staff member who may be traveling on a university-sponsored trip.

Campus Cleaning

During the week of Spring Break, our custodial staff will conduct a thorough cleaning of the campus, including all highly-touched surfaces, including restrooms, classrooms, and other high-traffic areas.

TSU Upcoming Events

TSU is postponing until further notice all large on-campus events through Saturday, April 4. This includes TSU Relays, Convocation, Preview Weekend, Comm Week, SpringFest and Research Week. All SWAC athletic events are still scheduled with a 'no fan' policy. The Office of Event Services will implement a Special Event Restriction in an effort to protect the university from additional levels of exposure. Effective immediately, Event Services will not enter into any new arrangements/contracts and/or partnerships for external entities as a precautionary measure during this time.

Most important, if you feel that you have potentially been exposed to the coronavirus, or if you are experiencing any of its symptoms, please contact your physician immediately, or contact TSU Health Services at 713.313.7173. There is a list of actions to take if you do exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or other similar viruses. Nothing is more important than your safety and security, and I pledge to continue to make this our top priority.

Finally, we urge you to remain calm. Working together in true Tiger fashion, we will get through this. Be safe and smart throughout your Spring Break!

As always, GO TIGERS!