New COVID-19 measures for spring 2022 (employees)

The omicron variant of COVID‑19, though less likely to result in severe illness, is highly contagious. As this surge is expected to peak in late January, UTA is implementing new protective measures for the start of the spring 2022 semester in the interest of keeping our community safe and maintaining continuity of learning.

We are temporarily moving class sections to online/remote delivery through Feb. 4 to maintain continuity of instruction. Deans, department chairs, and faculty will consult on and communicate with students about courses that must remain face-to-face or may be offered both online and on campus during this period.

The semester will begin as scheduled on Jan. 18; no classes are being canceled. This temporary shift to primarily online learning will get us past the projected peak of COVID‑19 cases later this month and mitigate the possibility of widespread absences due to isolation and quarantine measures.

Faculty should publish course materials to Canvas no later than Jan.18, though publishing earlier is encouraged. Additional information will be shared with faculty in the coming days. Contact academicaffairs@uta.edu with questions.

Remote work encouraged through Feb. 4 while maintaining business and instructional continuity

Remote work and flexible scheduling for staff and faculty is encouraged when possible through Feb. 4. While delaying the start of most in-person classes will significantly decrease the density of people on campus, all University offices will remain open for business and services will be provided in person and/or virtually.

Supervisors should work through their division leadership team for approval of plans that ensure operational continuity and will not negatively affect services. For employees who need or prefer to come to campus for work, please practice the health and safety protocols outlined below.

As previously announced, 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.

Effective immediately, employees and students who test positive for COVID‑19 are required to isolate for seven days before returning to campus. Employees and students who have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID‑19 are required to quarantine for seven days unless they have recently completed their primary vaccine series or have had a booster.

If you test positive for COVID‑19 or come in close contact with someone who has, please complete the Close Contact and Personal Diagnosis Form. UTA Health Services and Human Resources will work with students and employees subject to isolation or quarantine to determine when they are eligible to return to campus.

Given the current large volume of positive cases, our contact tracing teams are limited in scope and capacity. As a result, we ask that all individuals who test positive complete the Personal Diagnosis Form then notify their close contacts directly to allow them to follow proper quarantine protocols and get tested.

All University-sponsored travel will be restricted to only travel that is essential to UTA’s mission and operations until Feb. 4. For those individuals needing to travel for mission-essential business, travel authorizations should be submitted through UT Share as normal for review and final approval by the appropriate dean or vice president.

On-campus events scheduled for the spring semester can continue as planned, but we strongly encourage organizers, when feasible, to move events outside or to other spaces that support social distancing and reducing density of attendees. Rescheduling your event for later in the semester is also strongly encouraged, especially for large events. Mavericks are always encouraged to wear masks on campus, including during events.

We have the tools to protect ourselves and others from COVID‑19 infection and should 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 campus. Seek medical attention and get tested.
Get vaccinated and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same. Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. You and your loved ones can get COVID‑19 vaccines and boosters on campus.

We are taking these actions out of an abundance of caution and must continue to put the health and safety of our Maverick family at the forefront.

Let’s remain vigilant and follow the steps we know protect us from COVID‑19 so that we may be together again soon.