New COVID-19 measures for spring 2022 (Students)

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 ensure teaching and learning are able to continue without excess disruption. A small number of courses that must be taught face-to-face will remain as on-campus classes, and some will be offered both online and on campus. In those instances, faculty will communicate directly with students to notify them about plans.

The semester will begin as scheduled on Jan. 18; no classes are being canceled. You will be able to access course materials in Canvas no later than Jan. 18. 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.

UTA’s campus services and buildings will remain open to you during this period of modified course instruction. This includes the University Center, Health Services, Maverick Activities Center, libraries, and on-campus dining.

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 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 that test positive complete the Personal Diagnosis Form then notify their close contacts directly to allow for them to follow proper quarantine protocols and get tested.

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.