Note: The contents of this page are saved for archival purposes only. For the most up-to-date information about Augustana's COVID-19 response, visit www.augustana.edu/augustana-strong.
Campus update for Aug. 4, 2020
Aug. 4, 2020
Plans for COVID-19 testing on campus
Surveillance testing will start with students who arrive on campus early, and it will continue with the first week of classes and throughout the term.
Not everyone will be tested. Surveillance testing means testing samples of the population. → Learn more about our testing plans
We know you have many questions about this fall about everything from COVID-19 testing to toilet paper.
If you need an answer right away, contact our LiveChat team. They are available weekdays. Look for the blue bubble at the bottom right corner of Augustana.edu.
Or, fill out the quick form at the top of the main COVID-19 page.
We are adding offices to our resource page for making virtual appointments. Information Technology is the latest. This page is linked in the menu on the main COVID-19 information page.
New telehealth program offers medical, mental health services
In addition to opening a new health clinic on campus, Augustana will launch a new telehealth program this fall. It will offer students access to virtual medical and mental health visits (for no cost at the time of the visit) anytime, from anywhere.
The program, called Students Care, is supplied by TimelyMD, which specializes in serving universities and colleges. Treatment for medical or mental health concerns comes from board-certified physicians and licensed counselors.
We are pleased to welcome the Rev. Melinda Pupillo to Augustana as college chaplain following the retirement of the Rev. Richard Priggie after 21 years here.
Those of you who have been to Holden Village may know her, as she most recently has served as pastor at Holden, a remote Lutheran retreat center in Washington’s Cascade Mountains. → Find out more about Rev. Melinda Pupillo
SAGA magazine keeps going for 83 straight years
The 83rd edition of SAGA, Augustana's literary and art magazine, has been printed and distributed on campus.
"Eighty-three editions: an uninterrupted sequence that few, if any, other colleges can match," said Dr. Ann Boaden, one of this year's judges. "And more important: 83 years of student writing and art whose consistent quality has been recognized by off-campus judges nationwide.
"It would have been easy to justify suspending publication this year. But co-editors Rene Powers and Jack Harris refused to do that because they believe in the power of the word in this time and place.
"Dr. Henriette Naeseth, who long ago encouraged students to create a literary magazine, would be proud. As a former SAGA editor and one of this year's judges, I am proud. In this time of fear and sadness, joy breaks in like a starburst."
Today's update:
• The Campus Cupboard, located on the third floor of Olin, will be open tomorrow from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.