Longhorns, we are excited to have you back. Campus just isn’t the same without you. Let’s make this a great semester — you deserve it!
We’ve come this far and what we are doing is working. We’re continuing to work hard to protect and deliver the irreplaceable on-campus, in-person experience that makes UT special.
The university’s decision to resume in-person learning was made with careful deliberation and input from our public health leaders and COVID-19 researchers — by members of our community for members of our community.
We believe we can return safely, as we have in past semesters, and that the in-person academic and social experience will deliver the best educational outcomes while nurturing your well-being.
There’s a lot to navigate, so we’re asking all members of our community to show each other grace and to trust that we all want the same things – to learn, discover, create and be inspired.
Please remember to take care of yourself and your fellow Longhorns. Since the pandemic began, we have created resources for our faculty, staff and students – visit our Protect Texas Together website to stay updated. As a reminder, here are some useful COVID-19 resources to use as you start the semester.
Students who need masks can pick up a free one at the Texas Union and William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently. It is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask. Learn more about how to choose a mask and wear it safely at https://bit.ly/3zpo6uy.
Masking is an important step to stop the spread of #COVID19. In areas of high transmission, even those who are vaccinated should wear a mask indoors in public, choosing one that offers better protection, like an N95, instead of a cloth mask. https://t.co/SUHcTmstuS
— Dell Medical School (@DellMedSchool) January 31, 2022
Proactive Community Testing (PCT) @UTAustin remains free, convenient, and a great way to protect yourself and fellow Longhorns.
Proactive Community Testing is available this week! UT students, faculty and staff who are 100% healthy are invited to view the schedule and book a quick and easy asymptomatic pic.twitter.com/bfiGbdKb5Y
— Healthyhorns (@Healthyhorns) January 31, 2022
You can get a booster right on campus.
UT will be hosting a vaccine and booster pop-up clinic today from 5-8 pm in the Texas Governor’s Room of the Texas Union. The clinics are walk-up and open to all UT students, faculty and staff. You can learn more at https://t.co/pKoPdiLPPX. pic.twitter.com/eOREZoSD5R
— Healthyhorns (@Healthyhorns) February 1, 2022
We offer free at-home testing kits for people who test positive on campus.
Those testing positive for COVID-19 through PCT will be offered an at home testing kit. This information will be sent via a secure message in your MyUHS portal. Learn about the steps to take after you have tested positive for COVID-19 by viewing the Exposure Action Chart. pic.twitter.com/2885fzDRBc
— Healthyhorns (@Healthyhorns) January 24, 2022
And the federal government offers free at-home COVID-19 tests kits. You can order four at no cost by visiting http://COVIDtests.gov. If you’re having trouble placing an order online, call 800-232-0233.
It's not too late to order four at home COVID-19 tests at no cost by visiting https://t.co/Ir9NKJljLQ. If you are having trouble placing an order online or don't have internet access, you can call 800-232-0233 to order test kits.
— Dell Medical School (@DellMedSchool) February 1, 2022
We understand that COVID-related classroom absences may occur over the course of the semester, and we continue to encourage faculty to be as compassionate, flexible and accommodating as possible to ensure that students don’t fall behind.
If you have to miss class for health reasons, you can make up missed work using standard procedures and resources, including contacting Student Emergency Services.
Thank you for all you do to protect our community – and have a great semester.
