UT Arlington Announces Additional Steps in Response to COVID-19
By UT Arlington Office of the President
Posted on March 17, 2020, March 17, 2020

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Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I hope each of you is monitoring the quickly evolving COVID-19 situation and its local and national impacts. As UTA responds to this emerging issue, I want to assure you that we are focused on the well-being of all our students, faculty and staff, and remain committed to providing the highest quality academic instruction for our students and completion of degrees.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s latest guidance emphasizes the importance of social distancing and recommends for the next eight weeks that organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.

The University is taking the following additional steps to maximize social distancing:

  • The University will conduct online instruction beginning March 23 and for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. There will be no in-person instruction during this time. Students will be receiving information soon from departments and faculty about how to access and to complete their courses.
  • In line with national health guidelines, we strongly encourage all students to stay at home and/or return home and access facilities through online means. We recognize that some of our students may need computer facility access. More information will be sent out shortly regarding available resources and specially designed, socially distant computer labs on campus.
  • Living in campus residence halls and participating in campus dining programs will be limited to students who do not have a suitable alternative. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis, to serve students who require this accommodation, while observing social distancing practices. Further information on move-out procedures will be sent directly to residence hall residents by UTA Housing.
  • All campus tours, events, and activities are cancelled through the end of the spring semester. This includes student organization-sponsored campus events.
  • All UTA spring 2020 commencement ceremonies are postponed. Graduating students will receive their degrees as scheduled, but the ceremonies will be rescheduled at a later date to be announced.

As a result of reduced operations, there will be significant reduction in available facilities and student support services operating hours for the remainder of the spring semester. These include:

  • Maverick Activities Center: closed
  • Health Center: Will observe normal operating hours. UTA Health Services can be reached at 817-272-2771.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): On-call counseling staff have temporarily relocated to the Health Center. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call ahead at 817-272-3671 to consult with a counselor in planning for your arrival. Both Ransom Hall and MAC locations are closed until further notice. If this is an Emergency please call 911 or the MavsTalk 24hr Crisis Line at 817-272-8255.
  • Central Library: will be operating 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. College libraries will be closed.
  • Limited dining services in the University Center will be available for University residence halls' residents and those on meal plans.

Some UTA facilities will remain open on a limited scale for continuity of operations and provide services to students. Please check www.uta.edu/coronavirus or specific department websites for current information. We strongly encourage all in the UTA community to remain at home and telecommute.

UTA Student Emergency Assistance Fund

As a result of the impact and disruption caused by the coronavirus, UTA students with a temporary hardship resulting from a sudden emergency may apply for financial help from the UTA Emergency Assistance Fund. The Emergency Assistance Fund is possible through the generous contributions of supporters. If you are interested in supporting our students in need, please consider giving to the Emergency Assistance Fund.

Personal International Travel Update

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention raised its Travel Health Notice Warning Level to Level 2 and above globally, which includes all international and cruise travel. These changes trigger a UTA requirement for a mandatory 14-day self-isolation upon return to the United States for anyone who left the U.S. border. All UTA travelers must submit the online international travel form for further information and to receive details of self-monitoring upon return to the United States.

Telecommuting for Faculty & Staff

In order to increase social-distancing, the University is strongly encouraging telecommuting to the maximum extent possible for faculty and staff in order to minimize the need to be on campus. For additional information about telecommuting, please reference the FAQ link.

Pay & Benefits

I appreciate that the university’s modified operations and work schedules in response to this evolving situation may have many employees concerned, including whether or not they will continue to receive their pay. The vice presidents and deans have been asked to discuss within their divisions the many varieties of work modes the university can facilitate. However, I want to assure you that the University will apply all available authorizations to ensure all employees continue to receive their compensation and eligibility for benefits through this challenging time.

Prevention and Social Distancing

Prevention and social distancing are critical to slowing the spread of the coronavirus. If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a COVID-19 patient, the CDC and local health authorities have advised that you call your health care provider before visiting a clinic. Commence self-isolation and stay out of public areas and away from large gatherings of people. These precautions are important to help protect yourself and the Maverick community.

Additionally, we encourage everyone to continue to follow the basic CDC recommendations of covering your cough and sneezes, wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based sanitizer especially after coughing and sneezing, and stay at home if you are sick. Please continue to practice these personal measures to protect yourself and those around you.

The safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff are our highest priorities. The University will take additional measures based on the evolving professional guidance. I appreciate the flexibility of the Maverick community and the compassion you have shown toward other Mavericks in responding to and coping with these unprecedented and evolving circumstances.

My thanks to everyone for the wonderful way in which we have come together to address this rapidly evolving situation. I am confident that the Maverick family will ensure that we not only continue to operate serving our students and the community, but that we will emerge stronger than ever because of our collective efforts. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything.

We will continue to provide important updates at www.uta.edu/coronavirus.

Sincerely,

Vistasp M. Karbhari
President

Coronavirus, UT Arlington
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