It has been more than a year since we first had to react to the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly adjusting to new ways of teaching and learning, as well as altering many other daily components of our lives. As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in our state and community continues to evolve, what has remained steady is the pride I feel in each of you. You continuously demonstrate resiliency and resolve to achieve our goals. I’m also grateful to see your compassion and care for fellow Mavericks.

We have reached the midway point of this spring semester. As you are hopefully recharged for the final stretch of this semester, the UTA leadership, faculty, and staff have begun planning for the semesters yet to come. I would like to provide some insight into what the University’s vision is for the summer and fall terms.

As the availability of vaccines is projected to increase across the state and nation in the coming months, many public health experts are optimistic that we may be able to incrementally resume many, but not necessarily all, of our pre-pandemic ways of life.

In anticipation of an improving situation, we currently are planning for the summer 2021 semester to begin with classes mostly online and the resumption of some events on campus. We will assess the potential for a shift to more in-person courses as the summer semester progresses.

Looking further ahead, we are optimistic about returning to more regular operations in fall 2021. We are planning for the majority of fall 2021 courses to be offered in-person and we are looking forward to resuming more on-campus events in the fall.

Understandably, this prompts a wide range of considerations, such as what UTA is expecting with respect to COVID testing, face-covering protocols, social distancing, campus events protocols, and remote working practices for employees, to name a few.

During the ensuing weeks and months, and as we have done throughout the pandemic, we will be evaluating all of the available information and recommendations of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state of Texas, and The University of Texas System to develop the University’s plans and protocols for the summer and fall semesters.

While this news certainly gives me a sense of optimism, I want to remind you that the health and safety of our Maverick community and our ability to follow our summer and fall plans are the responsibility of each of us.

Please remember that UTA’s COVID-19 protocols remain in place through May 31, 2021.  Continue to perform your daily health screening before coming to campus each day and do not come if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. If you have been in close contact with a COVID-19-positive individual or if you have received a personal diagnosis, please report it to UTA through this form. We have free on-campus COVID-19 testing available to students and employees to help us all stay safe and work toward bringing our Maverick family together again.

Additionally, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to you. Our COVID-19 Vaccination Information and Resources webpage can help you learn more about eligibility and availability in your county.

As always, we are making decisions based on public health guidance and will remain flexible to adapt wherever we need, as our ultimate goals continue to be providing the safest campus environment possible and the best educational experience for our students.

I am grateful for the commitment each of you has made to keeping each other safe, and I ask that you continue to be mindful and make good decisions in the interest of your health and the health of the community around you. The actions we take today better enable our ability to manage and enjoy our bright future.

Mav Up!