UTA Campus Repopulation Plan and Fall Academic & Course Planning Task Force Report

We are writing today to provide you with the University’s plans for safely bringing faculty and staff back to campus to prepare for resumption of classes in Fall 2020. The Campus Repopulation Task Force, working in parallel with the Fall Academic & Course Planning Task Force, has developed a Repopulation Plan that will guide our safe return to campus.

The Fall Academic & Course Planning Task Force has also tackled the many challenges we face in continuing to provide the best possible educational experience for our students in an environment that keeps our campus community safe. A key component of our plan is that Fall 2020 courses will be taught face-to-face, online, or as a hybrid of the two. You can review the final report here.

The plan to return to campus and the plan for fall academics incorporate feedback from staff and faculty surveys, as well as direct input from many members of our expert faculty and staff, including deans and department chairs. These plans are the results of very deliberative and thoughtful processes undertaken by the respective task forces over the last two months. We express our gratitude to all of the members for their dedication, commitment, and work in guiding our campus’ planning.

As you will read, the Repopulation Plan takes a flexible approach to implementing some of its many details. We understand that many people may have concerns about details of the plan as it applies to them individually. We strongly encourage staff members and faculty to work with their supervisors and department chairs if they require accommodations or have questions about the applicability of the plan. Supervisors will work with employees to address individual concerns within both the framework of the plan and established University personnel policies and procedures, while also being mindful of the understandable anxiety felt by many staff and faculty.

Staff and faculty will return to campus gradually, in three phases. The following are some of the key elements of our plan to return to campus:

Faculty and staff will work with supervisors regarding the implementation and clarification of the plan.
Phase 1 is set to begin on July 6, with a focus on positions critical for campus safety or preparing for on-campus activities. However, this does not mean July 6 is the return-to-campus date for every member. Please consult with your supervisor to determine individual plans prior to making any preparations to return to your on-campus location.
Phase 2 is set to begin on July 27, with additional personnel returning to campus.
Phase 3, the full return to campus, is currently set to begin between August 10 and August 24, with the exact date being announced as soon as possible.
You will find the scheduled date of return for your business unit, college, or school detailed within the plan. As a reminder, please consult with your supervisor to determine individual plans.
Throughout the planning process we have proceeded thoughtfully and deliberately with safety as our guiding principle. The plan to bring people back to campus encourages social distancing; emphasizes personal responsibilities with respect to the use of face coverings, frequent handwashing, personal hygiene, and staying home when sick; and minimizes on-campus presence through a number of strategies available to supervisors.
The previously announced protocol for the use of face coverings will continue during this time. Face coverings and masks are integral to protecting yourself and those around you. Information about the protocol and where to obtain masks is available here.

All of the information regarding the University’s response to COVID-19, as well as our plans for safely resuming on-campus activities and fall academics can be found on the Coronavirus and Fall 2020 Semester Information webpage. Please continue to monitor this page for updated information and links to available resources.

Our response to this pandemic requires us to remain nimble and adjust as necessary, while following the recommendations of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Texas, and The University of Texas System. With this guidance in place, we will continue our mission of providing an excellent education for our students while taking necessary precautions to keep our community safe.