I am delighted to welcome each of you to a new semester at The University of Texas at Arlington and hope you had the opportunity to rest and recharge during the break. Whether you’re just embarking on your Maverick journey, continuing to make strides toward your degree, or preparing to cross the finish line, we’re grateful to have you here.

While the COVID-19 pandemic remains an ever-changing situation, we will each have to continue to do our part by following social distancing guidelines, wearing masks, and taking responsibility for the health and safety of ourselves and our fellow Mavericks.

We anticipate this semester will look a great deal like the last, with courses that are in-person, hybrid, or online. Our Maverick students have demonstrated continued academic excellence in these formats, which serve to minimize our on-campus presence and keep our community safe.

Whether you are on campus or at home, the Coronavirus Information website should be your go-to site for information on the University’s response to COVID-19 and resources available to you. Our Spring 2021 Student FAQs also have answers to a number of questions you may have.

Some of you have asked what UTA’s plans may be with respect to COVID-19 vaccines. The University currently has not acquired vaccines during the initial phases of deployments in order to allow community distribution to prioritized populations. However, we are continuing to actively assess the availability of the vaccines and the projected state and health agency distribution plans for them.

If you are interested in getting one of the COVID-19 vaccines when they become available within your community, we’ve established a Vaccine Resources site to help you stay informed.

I ask each of you to please steadfastly adhere to our face-covering protocol and daily self-monitoring checklist every time you come to our campus. The UTA mobile app provides a convenient, confidential tool to assist with conducting the daily self-assessment. If you are not feeling well or have symptoms, please take precautions and stay at home so you do not unintentionally expose others to COVID-19.

Should you ever find yourself in need, UTA Health Services provides on-campus COVID-19 testing services for students with no out-of-pocket costs, regardless of insurance status.

If you test positive for COVID-19 or come in close contact with a COVID-positive individual, you should use the important information we have prepared to guide you through next steps. We would also like to remind you to please complete the Close Contact or Personal Diagnosis Form.

In these stressful times, it is important that we all prioritize taking care of ourselves. We are a Community that Cares and one that emphasizes compassion for each other and for ourselves. I encourage you to ask for help whenever you may need it.

No matter where you are learning from, I hope you will embrace the opportunities UTA has to offer in and outside of the classroom, as we remain committed to helping you develop and enhance every area of your life. We have valuable resources and programs that are designed to support your personal growth and academic success.

The semester will also be filled with opportunities to connect and grow with other Mavericks. Stay updated on virtual Campus Events that are happening throughout the semester.

I swell with pride when I reflect on how our students have continued to support each other and stay focused on our individual and collective goals. I look forward to watching this momentum grow and continue in the semester ahead.

Mav Up!