Month: September 2023

COVID-19 protocols/reminders

The following reminders are offered as an uptick of COVID-19 cases are being reported in South Texas and throughout the country.

CDC Guidelines
In the interest of keeping our community safe, students, faculty and staff should not attend in-person classes or events or come to work on campus if ill or have tested positive for COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive should follow the guidelines provided by the CDC and use the isolation and exposure calculator.

OLLU Protocols
The following protocols must be followed by students, faculty and staff who receive a positive result for COVID-19:

• Students Living in the Residence Halls: Must submit a Self-Report Form when diagnosed as COVID positive. They also must notify their professors of their isolation dates calculated with the use of the CDC calculator.

• Athletes: No longer have to submit a Self-Report form when diagnosed with COVID-19 (unless they live in a residence hall); however, they must notify their professors and coaches of their isolation dates calculated with the use of the CDC calculator.

• Commuter Students: Are not required to submit a Self-Report form but must notify their professors of their isolation dates calculated with the use of the CDC calculator.

• Employees: Are not required to submit a Self-Report form but must notify their supervisors of their isolation dates calculated with the use of the CDC calculator.

Student Affairs No Longer Providing Letters
Please Note: The Division of Student Affairs no longer provides letters to faculty when a student tests positive for COVID-19. Students have been directed to communicate directly with their faculty members about absences.

Accessibility Services
Students who will be absent due to COVID or other illnesses are encouraged to contact the Accessibility Services Office as soon as possible for support and accommodations.

COVID-19 Testing
Testing services are no longer available on campus. At-home tests are available at local retailers and pharmacies. Some free services are available to individuals without health insurance. Information is available online at https://www.covid.gov/tests. A community-based testing site locator is available online.

Updates
COVID-19 protocol updates are posted at https://www.ollusa.edu/campus-safety/index.html.

OLLU Timely Care
Reminder: All OLLU students have access to free medical and mental health services through TimelyCare.

• Services are provided 24/7/365

• On-demand and scheduled medical care offered

• On-demand and scheduled counseling appointments, and health coaching offered • Set up an appointment online or download the TimelyCare app.

Offense Lifts Women’s Soccer to 5-0 Victory Over WBU

The OLLU women’s soccer team defeated Wayland Baptist University (WBU) 5-0 on Saturday for the first win of the 2023 season. The Saints improve to 1-1 while the Pioneers fall to 1-1-2.

History

The Saints were 5-1 against the Pioneers prior to the match.

Basics

The Saints’ offense shined in a 5-0 victory over WBU on Saturday in the home opener. The Saints scored twice in the first half and three times in the second frame. OLLU had an impressive 24 shots with 18 on goal. Tess Pitcher played all 90 minutes in net and made five saves to earn the win.

Scoring overview

23′ – OLLU – Ez Valles

32′ – OLLU – Sara Garza (assisted by Leah Tapia)

50′ – OLLU – Katelyn Brandao

67′ – OLLU – Emerson Weiler

73′ – OLLU – Lyndee Rheinberger

Men’s Soccer Falls Short in 1-0 Loss to WBU

The OLLU men’s soccer team fell to Wayland Baptist University (WBU) 1-0 on Saturday in the 2023 home opener. The Saints drop to 0-3 while the Pioneers improve to 2-1-1.

History

The Saints were 1-5-1 against the Pioneers prior to the match.

Basics

Wayland Baptist controlled the first half with seven shots to OLLU’s one. Goalkeeper Dominic Pena made three saves in the first half. Following the scoreless match at halftime, the Pioneers were able to take the lead at the 61st minute. Pena made a great save late in the match to keep the deficit to one, but the Saints were unable to score the equalizer. The Saints play improved in the second half, and they outshot WBU by four.

OLLU names Tom Norris as Athletic Director

OLLU has selected Tom Norris as its new Athletic Director. A seasoned athletic administrator with a proven track record of successful athletic programs, Norris will oversee the university’s 18 intercollegiate athletic teams. He currently serves as Indiana University Kokomo (IUK) Director of Athletics and will join OLLU on Oct. 2.  

Before joining Indiana University, Norris served as Assistant Athletic Director at St. Mary’s University – an NCAA D2 school located less than three miles from the OLLU campus. 

OLLU President Abel Chávez, PhD, MBA commented, “Aside from his strengths in athletic program development, Tom has impressive experience in athletic policy development and implementation, fundraising, community partnership, promotions and budget and staff management. I am confident he will provide strong leadership for athletics.” 

At IUK, an NAIA university, Norris oversees all aspects of the university’s athletic program by supporting 230 student-athletes and 26 coaches and support staff. He worked closely with community partners and donors and collaborated with the university administration. 

Norris comes to OLLU as only the third Athletic Director in school history. Jack Hank started the program in 2006, and a men’s soccer team and women’s volleyball team began competing in 2007 through the NAIA. The following year, the university added women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf and tennis. In 2009, OLLU joined the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) and added basketball, cross-country and softball. In 2014, OLLU added baseball and track and field teams. After Shane Hurley became Athletic Director in 2018, he led the addition of competitive cheer and dance in 2019 and drumline in 2022. Hurley returned to his roots to lead the men’s soccer team as Head Coach.

The university now boasts more than 400 student-athletes, 19 full-time coaches and three full-time athletic trainers. 

Norris said, “I look forward to continuing the longstanding success of Our Lady of the Lake Athletics and immersing myself in the OLLU and San Antonio community.” 

In The News

Recent media coverage that brought attention to OLLU:

On Sept. 8, a story on KENS-5 about the 100th anniversary celebration of Sacred Heart Conventual Chapel:

https://www.kens5.com/video/news/community/our-lady-of-the-lake-university-celebrates-100th-birthday-of-historic-campus-chapel/273-7933b515-b76c-43d6-9b9a-8575bfe5e593

On Sept. 8, from Today’s Catholic, a live broadcast on YouTube about the 100th anniversary of Sacred Heart Conventual Chapel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8mvbDOTE5g

On Sept. 7, a story on Victory Sports Network about OLLU hiring Tom Norris as the new Athletic Director:

http://www.victorysportsnetwork.com/Clip/news/ollu-names-tom-norris-as-new-athletic-director.htm

Spirit Day, 100th anniversary of Sacred Heart Chapel set for Friday

OLLU will celebrate Spirit Day and the 100th anniversary of Sacred Heart Chapel on Friday.

Classes will be dismissed at 10:45 a.m. to allow all to attend the celebration. Classes will resume at 1:45 p.m.

Students, faculty and staff will assemble for a Spirit Day Mass in Sacred Heart Chapel at 11 a.m.

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will be the principal celebrant for the Mass, and will provide a special blessing in recognition of the chapel’s centennial celebration. Employees celebrating 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service to OLLU will be recognized during the Mass.

Following the Mass there will be a reception in Chapel Auditorium sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Online MA in Counseling ranked among nation’s 10 best

Forbes Advisor has ranked OLLU’s Online Master of Arts in Counseling as one of the 10 best programs in the U.S. for 2023.

“This program features a dynamic curriculum, which follows ASCA framework,” Forbes Advisor wrote. “It covers foundational knowledge, program models and collaboration within educational settings. Coursework also dives into principles of practical school counseling, including curriculum design, program planning and evaluation, and academic development interventions.”

Forbes Advisor added, “Students can enhance their learning through 100 hours of practicum experience and 600 hours of internship experience. Successful completion of this 60-credit program prepares graduates for the Licensed Professional Counselor exam.”

COVID-19 protocols for fall 2023 semester

The following reminders are offered as an uptick of COVID-19 cases are being reported in South Texas and throughout the country.

In the interest of keeping our community safe, you should not attend in-person classes or come to work on campus if you are ill or have been exposed to any infectious disease. Follow CDC and/or local health official guidelines. Communicate with your faculty members, coach and/or supervisor if you are unable to attend class or come to work due to illness.

As a reminder, the COVID-19 protocols for the fall 2023 are the same as last semester with one exception: There is no longer a self-report form just for athletes.

The following protocols must be followed by students, faculty and staff who receive a positive result for COVID-19:


• Students Living in the Residence Halls: Must submit a Self-Report Form when diagnosed as COVID positive. They also must notify their professors of their isolation dates calculated with the use of the CDC calculator.

•  Athletes: No longer have to submit a Self-Report form when diagnosed with COVID-19 (unless they live in a residence hall); however, they must notify their professors and coaches of their isolation dates calculated with the use of the CDC calculator.

• Commuter Students: Are not required to submit a Self-Report form, but must notify their professors of their isolation dates calculated with the use of the CDC calculator.

• Employees: Are not required to submit a Self-Report form, but must notify their supervisors of their isolation dates calculated with the use of the CDC calculator.

OLLU Timely Care

Reminder: All OLLU students have access to free medical and mental health services through TimelyCare.

• Services are provided 24/7/365

• On-demand and scheduled medical care offered

• On-demand and scheduled counseling appointments, and health coaching offered

• Set up an appointment online or download the TimelyCare app

OLLU offering a World of Flavor: International Cuisine at Saint’s Café

Get ready to embark on a global culinary journey this fall semester at Saint’s Café. As part of OLLU’s mission of offering an inclusive community, Chartwells, the university’s dining services provider, will now be offering students, faculty and staff an opportunity to taste an array of dishes from different corners of the world.

Whether you are a culinary enthusiast or simply looking to try something new, make sure to visit Saint’s Café every other Wednesday starting this week from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to experience these international flavors. The debut feature item will be a Canadian classic dish known as Poutine. All who wish to purchase this meal will have the opportunity to garnish and build the dish to their liking.

Each new menu items will represent one of the 39 international students from 27 countries who currently attend OLLU. This international menu is not just about food; it’s about creating a sense of community.