|
The fall 2021 semester has been filled with triumphs for UTA, our employees, and our students. Further, it’s been another successful semester filled with the Maverick spirit of taking care of each other, as you’ve faithfully put in the work to protect our community against COVID‑19. We are deeply grateful for your help advancing our mission while upholding the health of our campus.
As we focus on finishing the current semester strong, we’d like to update you on campus operations, health and safety protocols, and best practices for the spring 2022 term.
Required COVID‑19 testing: Jan. 3-Feb. 4, 2022
Regardless of vaccination status, all students and employees coming to campus in any capacity for the spring semester must provide proof of a viral COVID‑19 test by Feb. 4, 2022. Tests taken before Jan. 3, 2022 will not be accepted.
Our required COVID‑19 testing protocols have provided valuable information to inform decisions about campus operations. Given the continued emergence of new COVID‑19 variants and the prevalence of holiday travel and gatherings, we believe required testing is needed for a safe start to the spring term.
UTA has a number of free on-campus testing options, and results will automatically be reported to the University. Results from off-campus testing sites also will be accepted, though you will not be reimbursed for costs and will need to upload results to the COVID Self-Report portal in MyMav. If you have trouble finding or using the portal, contact the OIT Help Desk.
Operating hours for the on-campus testing sites may vary over the winter break. Details are available online and will be distributed through MavWire. If you have questions, contact covidtesting@uta.edu.
Maximizing remote work at start of the year
Departments and units are encouraged to maximize remote work for non-student-facing, non-direct-student-supporting personnel for the first week of January (Jan. 3-7), while ensuring in-person business and operational continuity and services are not negatively affected.
Beginning Jan. 10, 2022, only employees with an approved Remote Work Agreement for Staff or Remote Work Agreement for Faculty can continue working remotely. Contact askhr@uta.edu with questions.
Spring 2022 course instruction
Courses in the spring term will be primarily in person, while maintaining some of the flexibility of hybrid and remote learning that has proven popular with students. Our faculty will continue to utilize innovative teaching methods developed and improved upon during the pandemic to create dynamic educational experiences. If you have questions, contact academicaffairs@uta.edu.
Returning to campus after testing positive for COVID-19
Effective Jan. 3, 2022, individuals may return to campus after testing positive for COVID‑19 when all three of the following criteria are met:
- At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without fever-reducing medications)
- Improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, or 10 days have passed since the positive test for patients without symptoms
We are dropping the requirement for a note from a health professional clearing employees to return to work. Employees are still required to submit the Personal Diagnosis Form when they test positive. Contact askhr@uta.edu with questions.
What to do and know for your health
Throughout this semester, we have seen consistently low COVID‑19 positivity rates. For this to continue, we must adhere to the best practices that help keep us safe:
- We encourage you to wear a mask when indoors and when social distancing cannot be maintained.
- Perform daily health screenings. If you are symptomatic, do not come to work. Seek medical attention and get tested.
- Get vaccinated and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same. Our on-campus clinic on Saturday, Dec. 11, is open to all Mavericks and their dependents and families ages 5 and older. Booster doses are available to eligible individuals. We’ll let you know about additional vaccine opportunities in the spring. Contact covidvaccine@uta.edu with questions.
- If you test positive for COVID‑19, submit the Personal Diagnosis Form and self-isolate off campus for at least 10 days, during which time the UTA Health Services Contact Tracing Team will reach out to you.
- If you come into close contact with a COVID-positive individual, submit the Close Contact Form and follow the close contact guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Thank you for all you’ve done this semester to support the success and well-being of each other and our students. We’re cheering you on as you wrap up this semester, and we look forward to what you will accomplish in the next one.
|
