Coronavirus Updates and FAQs
The latest information on ELP operations, social distancing and preventative measures
We know that many of you in the ELP community, as well as our friends and family, continue to have questions about COVID-19. In the last few weeks our ELP faculty and staff have been hard at work preparing for a shift to hybrid instruction, remote learning, and tele-working.
Please know that the ELP community—your adviser, professors, administrators, and peers—are here to support you the students in this challenging time. We are here for you and are committed to doing all we can to ensure the best outcomes for you as we work to complete this term and prepare for what’s ahead.
Please continue to monitor UT Austin's Protect Texas Together website, which provides a framework for the fall designed to accommodate the dynamic environment we are facing and enable us to adapt to changes in the prevalence of COVID-19 in Austin and throughout Texas. The university’s leaders are aware that things are changing every day.
Please see below for the resources, institutional changes, and updates that are available to students as we deal with this ongoing public health crisis.
FAQs
For additional updates and announcements for graduate students, please visit the Graduate School website for FAQs and new information.
The College of Education Dean’s Office would like you to be aware that the university encourages COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic individuals. This free testing is done by University Health Services, takes about five minutes, and the results are confidential. There is plenty of capacity so please take advantage of this opportunity, which will help to the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the community. More information is available at https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/coronavirus_proactive_testing.html.
Information about contact tracing can be found at https://t.e2ma.net/message/jhv2yd/feyntgg.
The Protect Texas website https://protect.utexas.edu/ contains important information and resources.
The College of Education Dean’s Office also compiled the following information and links to share with you:
It is more important than ever that we exercise self-care and maintain our mental health and wellbeing. Toward this end, the Graduate School shares the new Graduate Student Mental Health Resource Guide: https://utexas.app.box.com/s/ldja0hj7ch7m5iccxjskyw9xrp27bc36.
For more information, please visit the University Health Services website: https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/.
CARES ACT
The University of Texas at Austin has received funds under the CARES Act and is working to provide emergency assistance to as many students as possible to help them meet their emergency financial needs during this challenging time.
You can learn more about CARES and apply for funding by visiting the following link: https://onestop.utexas.edu/cares-act-faq/.
Please direct your questions to Texas One Stop by emailing them at onestop@utexas.edu
Our campus will remain open, but we are taking the following actions to proactively manage density and help reduce additional virus transmission:
Thank you for the incredible resilience you have shown the past year as the pandemic changed how you learn and live. It’s understandable that many of you are feeling COVID-19 fatigue, especially from those missed moments that we may have taken for granted, like visiting family and friends. As you know, the university is a COVID-19 vaccination hub, and vaccinations are a pathway to regaining these precious human connections.
We encourage you to schedule your free vaccine on campus by filling out the UT COVID-19 Vaccination Form. We are also offering occasional pop-up walk-in appointments starting today; stay tuned to @Healthyhorns on social media for more details.
Our vaccination hub at Gregory Gym is well-organized, easy to access and often has short waits (despite the appearance of the line, which moves very fast!). So far, we have given over 100,000 vaccinations to students, faculty, staff and our community! The university is primarily using the Pfizer vaccine. You will get two doses spaced three weeks apart. If you plan to get vaccinated, don’t wait. You will need to schedule an appointment soon, so you are fully vaccinated before you leave campus for the summer period.
Vaccinations not only protect you, but also the people you love and those most vulnerable in our community. They also will help us return for the fall semester with a greater peace of mind. We know some of you may be hesitant about getting the vaccine and have questions, and that’s okay. You can learn more about the vaccine by checking out the educational resources section of this page, including testimonial videos, myths versus facts information and details about how vaccines work.
If you want to get involved, please consider volunteering at our vaccination site. It’s easy to sign up for a shift, and your support is needed and appreciated.
COVID-19 Testing FALL 2021
For the safety of our community, the university has determined that all students coming to campus for the fall semester should receive a viral COVID-19 test (antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test such as PCR). Please note that this applies to all graduate students—including graduate students who resided in Austin or worked on campus during the summer. Results should be uploaded to the UHS student portal, MyUHS.
Students coming from out of town must test within 72 hours prior to arrival in Austin. Students already residing in Austin must test within 72 hours of moving into their fall residence where they will live for the academic semester. Finally, individuals who are already living in their fall semester residence in Austin where they will live this academic semester must test within 72 hours (3 days) prior to the start of class on Aug. 25. Read the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on pre-arrival testing, including what type of test to get and instructions for uploading the results to the portal.
For students living in university-owned residential properties (on-campus residence halls, 2400 Nueces and the University Apartments), residence is conditional upon getting a viral COVID-19 test within 72 hours (three days) prior to moving in. You will need to show proof of a negative test result at check-in, prior to receiving your keys. Current residents who will continue living in these properties can test through the free UT Proactive Community Testing program as soon as possible but no later than August 20. Residents will need to show proof of a negative test at the check-in desks of their properties. Students who live in university-owned properties have received a message on this separate process for testing and should refer to that guidance as well as these Frequently Asked Questions.
If you test positive, you should isolate yourself at home. Contact the Behavior Concerns and COVID-19 Advice Line (BCCAL) to report your positive result. BCCAL can also assist you with isolation options, class absence notification and other support.
For routine asymptomatic testing throughout the year, the university is continuing its free Proactive Community Testing program which is available to students, faculty and staff by appointment.
Instructional Resources for Graduate Students
For graduate students who will be working as teaching assistants (TAs) and assistant instructors (AIs), below are some resources and guidelines.
Flexible Modality Arrangement for Graduate Student Employees
Teaching assistants (TAs), graduate research assistants (GRAs) and graduate assistants (GAs) with individuals residing in their households with certain immunocompromised medical conditions may be eligible for a temporary Alternative Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) for employees. This arrangement is not the same as requesting leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or requesting an accommodation for an employee’s own health condition under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). TAs, GRAs, GAs and other student employees should follow the staff process for requesting an Alternative Flexible Work Arrangement.
Assistant instructors (AIs) with individuals residing in their households with certain immunocompromised medical conditions may be eligible for a Flexible Teaching Modality Arrangement that is only available to faculty and assistant instructors. AIs should follow the faculty process. Please note that for certain steps of the process, AIs have their own forms.
These arrangements are only available for employees with individuals residing in their households who have been advised to limit their exposure to others due to the increased risk of infection with COVID-19, and who have one of the following medical conditions:
At this time, living with a child under the age of 12 who does not have one of the above-mentioned conditions will not qualify the AI for flexible teaching modality arrangement consideration.
Graduate student employees should submit their requests for accommodations for their own medical conditions through the ADA accommodation process.
Masks
The university recommends members of our community follow the CDC guidance and wear masks, though it’s not required, inside classrooms and indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status. This recommendation does not apply to a private office or single-occupant cubicle. The university has ample supply of ASTM level 2 and 3 masks and will provide them at no cost to all faculty members, assistant instructors, and teaching assistants who are teaching this semester, and to all staff members who will be working on campus.
Vaccinations
UT strongly encourages all members of our community to get vaccinated if they are able to do so. The university is communicating vaccination information directly to students to encourage them, and AIs and TAs may also encourage their students to get vaccinated. The university is developing plans to hold vaccination clinics around campus as students begin to move back to Austin. More details on the university’s vaccination plans will follow soon.
With the emergence of multiple variants of the COVID-19 virus globally, we are taking measures through our on-campus testing efforts to monitor for and detect the presence of variants within our campus community. We are analyzing samples that have indicators in our diagnostic testing that signal there could be a variant. This strategy, done through Next Generation Sequencing of the virus using UT’s state-of-the-art Genomic Sequencing and Analysis Facility, will allow us to identify newly described variants of concern.
Our COVID-19 modelers and public health experts believe that it is a matter of when, not if, we will see variants in our population, and we cannot afford to wait to step up our preventive behaviors. In order to get to the other side of this pandemic, it is now more important than ever to follow public health guidance. To this end, we are reviewing current university guidance and will update you soon if there are any changes. Please know that by doing your part to help us reduce transmission, you are helping to prevent the emergence of new variants.
If you have symptoms, isolate and get tested immediately.
At the start of the spring semester, our COVID-19 modelers accurately predicted that the rate of imported cases — ones brought in from individuals returning to Austin from outside the community — would be higher than it was during the fall. This is evidenced in our higher case counts and higher positivity rates for Proactive Community Testing during the past few weeks. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate and get tested immediately. We have seen through contact tracing that individuals wait an average of two days from symptom-onset before getting tested, which increases the opportunity to expose others to the virus. Further, if you are a contact, please adhere to the guidance given to you by the contact tracing team with regard to how long to quarantine and when to test. Testing too early after an exposure may result in a false negative, and a negative test does not mean you can discontinue quarantine earlier than advised.
What do these emerging variants mean for our campus?
Scientists are still learning about these emerging variants and determining whether they are more contagious, make people sicker or reduce effectiveness of the available vaccines. The university will closely follow this science and adapt our recommendations as appropriate and in alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The presence of a variant in our community can result in a sharp increase in positive cases at a time when our health care system is already overtaxed. It is critical that members of our community deepen their commitment to public health measures, including remaining vigilant with:
The vaccines currently available, as well as those on the horizon, are thought to still offer protection against the current variants. By having more people vaccinated, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the opportunities for the mutations to become dominant strains. We encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as it is your turn to do so.
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
The UT COVID-19 Vaccine Form is still open for current faculty, staff and students who meet the state-defined Phase 1B criteria and who want to receive the two-dose vaccine from the university. The form allows the university to request sufficient supply from the state, but scheduling will be based on vaccine availability. Individuals who submit the form receive an email acknowledgement explaining the process and expected timeline for an appointment.
Members of the public, including retirees, emeritus faculty members, family members and dependents of members of the UT community who meet the state-defined Phase 1B criteria may request a COVID-19 vaccine from UT Health Austin by visiting the UTHA website. UTHA also continues to vaccinate health care workers as part of Phase 1A.
COVID-19 Vaccine “Hub” Designation
On Jan. 16, the university was designated as a vaccine “hub” by the Texas Department of State Health Services. As a hub, the university will continue to receive allocations of COVID-19 vaccine from the state, which will determine timing and quantities of all vaccine allotments. The hub status will allow us to, over time and depending on vaccine availability, continue to contribute on a greater scale to the overall vaccination capabilities of Austin and to vaccinate more people in the greater Austin community.
In anticipation of being able to provide more people the vaccine through a larger-scale distribution site once larger allocations are available, the university will move its vaccine operations to Gregory Gym beginning Feb. 8.
Since UT Austin began administering vaccinations in December, we have served members of the UT Austin community and the UT Health Austin patient population simultaneously. We will continue our efforts to vaccinate current UT students, staff and faculty alongside the community as quickly as allowed by vaccine supply to ultimately help our community reach herd immunity. For the benefit of our community, UT Austin is committed to making every effort to distribute vaccines as quickly, equitably and efficiently as possible.
We’ve come a long way since the beginning of the pandemic. The science has evolved, as has our understanding of the virus. We have new tools in our toolkit that can help us reach herd immunity, but they will work only if we use them alongside the preventive measures we've already been practicing. The pandemic is not over, but we are making great progress. We encourage all Longhorns to remain resilient and persevere as we continue to follow public heath guidelines to get past this.
As students, faculty and staff return to classes and work for the spring semester, Information Technology Services (ITS) wants to make the campus community aware of several recent and upcoming changes to important technology tools and encourage our users to apply a few best practices. We also want to remind you of our existing services to help you in your work.
As of Dec. 20, 2021, UT Austin’s central Zoom tenant (utexas.zoom.us) requires a minimum client version (5.8.4) in order to use the service. If you are not using a supported version of the client, a notification banner will alert you that an update is required. You will be unable to either host or join a meeting until you update your client. New features include Stop Incoming Video, Focus Mode, Optional Reclaim Host When Rejoining, and Two-way Chat with Waiting Room Participants.
Visitors to campus now have two options for Wi-Fi access: utguest (no account needed) and eduroam. Eduroam is an international Wi-Fi internet access roaming service that provides researchers, teachers and students with network access when visiting participating institutions other than their own. Eduroam is three times faster than the utguest network. Visit the Wi-Fi Access for Visitors knowledge article for instructions.
Please note that current students should use utexas or utexas-iot for Wi-Fi access, which is 10 times faster than utguest.
Beginning in February, major cellular vendors are ending their support for 3G devices (e.g., mobile phones, credit card terminals, handheld scanners). As a result, older 3G devices may stop working. Contact your provider to determine options available for older 3G devices.
Conveniently located at the FAC, Information Technology Services offers an in-person desk providing ID Card Services and core IT Services, including EID, DUO and VPN support. During the holidays and emergencies such as Covid-19 Stage 5 restrictions, hours of operation may vary. Before coming to see us, visit our website to view our operating hours.
ITS provides several ways to get help with UT online services.
Search the IT@UT website for help articles
As students, faculty, and staff return to classes and work for the fall semester, Information Technology Services wants to make the campus community aware of several recent and upcoming changes to important technology tools and encourage our users to apply a few best practices. We also want to remind you of our existing services to help you in your work.
Don’t wait in line: ID Center processes moved online If you need a UT ID card you can use Online ID Card Photo Submission to take and submit your own photo and be notified when your card is ready to pick up. You now need to come to the ID Center only once, to pick up your ID Card. If you don’t need an ID Card, there is no need to submit a photo online or visit at all. Visit the ID Center webpage for more information.
Be sure your UT EID is upgradedTo verify whether your EID is permanently upgraded, go to the EID Self Help Tools and select “Upgrade My UT EID." Then select “Continue” and follow instructions to arrive at a page that shows your upgrade status. You must have an upgraded UT EID to:
Visit the Upgrading a UT EID article for more information.
Keep an eye out for Duo mobile app update coming this fallTo better protect the security of your online information, the university uses Duo, a multi-factor authentication product. Later this fall, Duo will be releasing an update for their mobile app for iOS and Android. This update will include a modernized look and feel and improved accessibility. ITS will notify campus prior to the update being released. If you are new to Duo, visit our Multi-Factor Authentication article to learn more.
Get discounts and computer services from the Campus ComputerThe Campus Computer Store’s convenient on-campus location in the Flawn Academic Center offers discounts to students, faculty and staff for their academic needs for computers, software and accessories. In-store services include computer repair, trade-in and warranty services for most computer brands. Visit the Campus Computer Store website.
Speed up how you access UT servicesDid you know the official utexas Wi-Fi Network is 10 times faster than the utguest Wi-Fi network? By removing the utguest Wi-Fi network from your device—including your mobile device—and using the official utexas network you can access UT services in a faster, more secure manner. Plus, some UT resources are only available on utexas. Follow instructions for removing the utguest Wi-Fi network (see FAQ section).
Claim your Microsoft 365 accountMicrosoft 365, the platform that delivers access to Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), Teams and Planner, is free for all current UT students. We’re implementing auto creation of student accounts in phases starting this fall, with the goal of automatically providing all students an account by summer 2022. If you would like to proactively claim your account, you may create one using the Office 365 Management portal. Learn more about your Microsoft accounts and what applications you have access to, as well as find answers to frequently asked questions on the Students and Office 365 page.
Check out what’s new to ZoomBe sure your Zoom client stays up to date. Doing so not only applies bug fixes, but also gives you immediate access to new features. In addition, you may now add and share your pronouns in Zoom. Learn more about Zoom.
Retrieve your OneDrive data before separating from UTIf you use Microsoft OneDrive, be aware that your data will be lost when you leave the university. For information on how to retrieve your data before separation, read these instructions.
Wondering what happens to your email after you leave UT?Students who are leaving the university should review “What Happens to My Email After I Leave the University?” in advance. Personal UTmail accounts are offered to students and alumni. These are lifelong accounts you can keep after you graduate or retire from the university.
How to get helpITS provides several ways to get help with UT online services.
Search the IT@UT website for help articles
Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) would like to welcome everyone to campus, returning and new. Below are some spring semester parking and transportation information and tips:
UT Shuttle Service has resumed for the spring semester. Students, faculty, and staff can ride all UT Shuttle and Capital Metro mainline routes for free using their UT ID. Face masks are required while on buses. See the CapMetro & COVID-19 page for more information. Shuttle Service
Parking
Permit Availability
If you still need a permit, you can purchase your permit online at a pro-rated price. When you register your vehicle to your permit, your license plate is your credential and you do not need to display a permit. If your permit includes garage access you can register a toll tag or download a QR code to open garage gates.
Student Permits currently available:
ECG is the lowest cost garage permit, with a convenient East Campus shuttle stop nearby and free bike storage for permit holders.
If the garage you want is not available, you can get on the waitlist.
Occasional Parking
If you only bring your car to campus occasionally and do not need a permit, you can park in a garage or at a meter at rates based on the amount of time parked. Meters are limited to two hours during the day. Non-dorm resident students can also use the Student Parking Perks program for low-cost occasional garage parking.
Disabled Veteran License Plate Update
The State of Texas has passed a new law affecting disabled veteran (DV) license plates. In addition to a DV license plate, the International Symbol of Access is now required to be on display to qualify for ADA parking.
Bicycling
Registration
Registering your bike online will improve the chances of getting your bike back if it is impounded, lost, or stolen, and registration is FREE.
Bike Theft
Bike theft is on the rise in the Austin area. For the best defense, we strongly suggest using a proper locking technique with a U-lock and cable lock.
Fixit Stations
Fixit Stations across campus provide bicyclists access to tools for repairs 24/7.
Bike Sharing
For bicyclists who do not want to maintain their own bikes, MetroBike members can borrow bikes from stations throughout campus and the city at a low cost.
Bike Auction
For an affordable option to purchase used bicycles, the next PTS bicycle auction will be held online at the beginning of March. All bids will begin at $5.
Scooters
Scooters are only allowed to operate where bicycles can, which means they should primarily be ridden in the street. Scooters are required to follow all traffic control devices such as stop signs, yield to pedestrians, and adhere to the campus speed limit. To avoid impound fees and citations, only approved scooters can park on campus, and they should only park in designated areas or at bicycle racks.
After-Hours Transportation
Sure Walk
Sure Walk has resumed service for the spring semester. It currently runs 7 days a week from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. If you are on campus late and have concerns about your safety, all students, faculty, and staff can request Sure Walkers to accompany them on their walk home or to their campus destination.
UT Night Rides
UT Night Rides continues to operate. Lyft is the provider for UT Night Rides. This program provides Lyfts away from main campus to your home 7 days a week from midnight to 4 a.m.
PTS Office Hours
Use My Parking Profile to purchase permits, appeal and pay citations, manage permit waitlist selections, and update vehicle and address information online. Should you have a parking issue, most can be addressed via email to parking@utexas.edu. Offices for staffed garages are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with one-hour lunch closure) for those who need to do in-person transactions. The Conference Center Garage office is open 24 hours.
Anyone not using the minimum client version of Zoom 5.3.0 will see a banner alerting them that an update is required. You may not be able to host or join a meeting until your Zoom client is updated.
Click the banner alert in Zoom and perform the update. If you have already updated your Zoom client, you will not see a banner.
Visit the ITS website for more information on updating your Zoom client.
Duo for multi-factor authentication is required to access most online services that require a UT EID. To save time, enable the “Remember Me for 30 Days” option on your devices and browsers. Watch this short video for more information.
Visit the IT@UT Duo webpage for more information.
Beginning September 27, Zoom will require that a passcode (previously called password) or waiting room be enabled for all Zoom meetings. This change (including its timing and the manner of enforcement) was initiated by Zoom. If you invite a non-UT guest to your Zoom meeting, the host or co-host of the Zoom meeting will either need to provide them with a passcode or be prepared to admit through the waiting room. ITS will send an email reminder before this update is implemented.
Visit the IT@UT Zoom Waiting Room webpage for more information.
The first time you arrive physically on campus, you will be required to accept a new certificate to access the utexas Wi-Fi network from your phones, tablets and computers while on university property. Please note that the university has several Wi-Fi networks and this certificate only applies to the utexas Wi-Fi network. All university students, faculty and staff should use the utexas network for accessing university online services.
Helpful Tip: Not only is the utexas Wi-Fi network required for official UT business, it is also 20X faster than the guest network.
For more information, visit the IT@UT webpage on Wi-Fi Network Certificate Change - July 2020 and the Network Access video.
Struggling with poor cell service in buildings? Enable Wi-Fi calling on your mobile device for best performance
If you find that you have poor cell service in certain areas on campus, you can enable Wi-Fi calling on your mobile phone to ensure you are able to make phone calls when needed as long as you are also connected to the utexas Wi-Fi network. Visit these help links for how to enable your device for Wi-Fi calling.
Set up Wi-Fi calling on an Android phone
Take advantage of services available to you at no additional cost
The university provides certain online tools to students and employees at no additional cost to include access to Office 365 (which comes with Microsoft Word), PowerPoint, Excel and other tools. Additionally, the university provides file storage through UT Box, UT Austin branded Google G Suite email account and unlimited Google Drive Storage, survey creation through Qualtrics, and other tools. Before purchasing a tool, check the IT@UT web page on no additional cost services to see if it is already provided by ITS.
Information Technology Services – Multi-Factor Authentication
In an effort to increase security, multi-factor authentication (Duo) will be required to access most online services that require a UT EID login by June 15. Canvas and Zoom will begin requiring Duo on May 26. All other services, including MyUT, will require Duo starting June 15.
Multi-factor authentication provides an additional level of security when using university online services. Since the start of COVID-19 (coronavirus), phishing attacks and scams have seen a major increase and students are particularly vulnerable. In 2018, student compromised accounts rose 51% in one year and the Information Security Office (ISO) predicts this trend will only go up.
Actions required
If you have already been using Duo for multi-factor authentication for activities like accessing Workday for human resources or Office 365, be prepared to use Duo with more services. It is also recommended that you determine which back-up option you will use if needed.
If you have not used Duo before, please select how you would like to interact with Duo and be sure to also select a back-up option. Visit the ITS web page on getting started with Duo.
Students can register their device for Duo at: http://bit.ly/utduo
If anyone has issues with Duo they can call the College of Education ITS service desk at 512-475-9400.
It is important to set up Duo before you need it or you may experience delays in accessing a service.
Options include:
Watch this Duo Help Video from ITS for info on how to get started with Duo.
How to get help
Visit the IT@UT website for more information, FAQs, and help articles on how to get started with Duo multi-factor authentication.
If you find yourself without access to your primary or back-up options for Duo, contact the UT Service Desk.
Why is this happening?
Cyber-security attacks are on the rise, with 20% more university accounts compromised in 2019 as compared to 2018. Additionally, student and guest compromised accounts have risen 51% since 2018, with about 80% of all security breaches involving a compromised username or password. Forecasting from the university’s Information Security Office (ISO) predicts this growth will only continue without intervention. These attacks have increased since the start of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Multi-factor authentication makes a difference in reducing compromised accounts.
Thank you for doing your part to help protect yourself and university data from bad actors who would compromise our user accounts, data, and systems.
Resources
The College and University have made many resources available to students. Here’s a curated list:
Learning from Home: As you study and learn from home, there are services available to assist you, including Keep Learning.
Information for students in need of technology resource funding: We are writing to share important information about financial aid for students in need of technology resources which may include laptops or other technology such as webcams, mobile hotspots, software, etc. Students who have submitted a financial aid application, either a FAFSA or TASFA, who are in need of additional funding for these resources should submit a cost of attendance appeal form. Students can request via this appeal a reevaluation of their cost of attendance, the estimated cost of all expenses that determines their maximum financial aid eligibility. This appeal may be submitted for the following additional expenses:
· computers and other technology needs (including Wi-Fi, webcams, hotspots)
· additional textbooks and supplies
· unusual medical/dental/optical expenses
· increased rent/mortgage payment, and
· child care expenses.
UT will leverage the established cost of attendance appeal process to award financial aid for additional technology resources.
Will students receive grants or loans?
Students who have financial need as determined by Federal and state aid guidelines, will be reviewed for grant funding on a funds-available basis, while students without need will be reviewed for loans.
Once a student submits an appeal, when will they hear if they receive financial aid?
Students will receive a response to their submissions beginning the week after 12th class day (September 11, 2020). If eligible, students will receive a revised financial aid notice (FAN) with the additional grants or loans offered after review of the appeal.
Zoom:
UT will be implementing the highest level of access security. This will require users who join classes or meetings to be authenticated through the UT Austin Zoom system and use a Zoom application.
Steps You Need to Take
This is important. Students need to take two fairly simple steps to ensure seamless access to high security Zoom.
If you haven’t already, you must claim your UT Zoom account by going to utexas.zoom.us and registering by clicking on Sign In. You will not be able to directly join a class or meeting until you have done so. Using any other Zoom account, including Zoom’s free account, will not work.
Download and register the Zoom app on your devices (including computers). This is necessary so that Zoom’s application can validate you as part of the UT community every time you access a class or meeting. The Zoom app is available in the Apple App Store and in the Google Play store for Android. The desktop app can be downloaded at utexas.zoom.us. Click Download Client, and then download Zoom Client for Meetings.
That’s all you have to do, but these steps must be taken before you join a class or meeting. Otherwise, you will be delayed joining class while you download the app, or you will be placed in the Zoom Waiting Room where you will have to wait for your instructor to manually admit you.
Technical support is available to help any student who needs it. Contact the ITS Service Desk at 512-475-9400 or email zoom@utexas.edu.
Zoom Sign In: How to Avoid the Waiting Room (Video)
Join a Zoom Meeting
Screen Sharing in Zoom
Proctorio:
Adobe Spark:
UT Libraries Gradual Reopening
UT Libraries began making select services and spaces available on August 20. Please check the Service Continuity Guide regularly to see the current status of specific library operations.
Digital Access to Libraries:
UT Libraries are making many of their collections available online so that students can access the materials they need to continue their research work. Please visit their website to review their extensive online resources, including access to their digital collections.
Additionally, libraries and information providers have collaborated to temporarily provide expanded access to many additional online resources. Graduate students can now access the 17 million volumes in the Hathi Trust digital library. A list of Hathi Trust volumes is available on their website.
Graduate students can learn about other textbooks, ebooks, streaming media, databases and resources that have been recently opened on the UT Libraries website.
Digital Access to Copyrighted Content
The HathiTrust has opened copyrighted content to participating libraries. UT Libraries now has online access to copyrighted books that the university owns in print. This provides access to about 45% of the UT Libraries print materials, which will hopefully give you some flexibility while the Libraries are closed. The process to “check out” a book from HathiTrust is confusing, so UT Librarian Gina Bastone made this tutorial to help with the process: https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/englishlit/hathitrusttemp
Please keep in mind these restrictions:
Related, many scholarly publishers have opened their content temporarily for the pandemic. UT Librarians colleagues put together this wonderful guide covering most of what is available to us: https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/tempopen/home Dates of access and other important information is noted.
Additionally, libraries and information providers have collaborated to temporarily provide expanded access to many additional online resources. Graduate students can now access the 17 million volumes in the Hathi Trust digital library. A list of Hathi Trust volumes is available on their website.
Graduate students can learn about other textbooks, ebooks, streaming media, databases and resources that have been recently opened on the UT Libraries website.
New Expanded Behavior Concerns and Covid-19 Advice Line (BCCAL)
The new Behavior Concerns and COVID-19 Advice Line (BCCAL) 512-232-5050 is 24-hour/seven-days-a-week advice line now operational and ready to receive anonymous reports of COVID-19 health and safety noncompliance. In addition to reporting student or employee noncompliance, BCCAL support staff can also answer questions about reporting positive COVID-19 cases and assist with self-isolation or quarantine, contact tracing, and other campus concerns.
The latest enhancement at CMHC, which will expand accessibility through a partnership with My Student Support Program (My SSP). This expansion broadens our network of mental health providers, and offers students 24/7 real time chat and phone support, free virtual counseling sessions, and access to an extensive digital content library offering mental health and wellness resources that address common student concerns. Students can access these services regardless of their current location — whether they are currently studying in Austin, another state outside of Texas or in one of 200 different countries. Students can also request a counselor with a shared identity or who speaks one of over 150 common languages. Get started by visiting this web page.
Along with these expanded services, CMHC will continue using brief assessments (a 10-15-minute phone call) as a first step to accessing their services including:Single-session counseling and short-term individual counseling.
Counselors in Academic Residence (CARE counselors) will continue to be available through colleges and schools. Students can access an immediate brief assessment by calling CMHC at 512-471-3515 (option 3), Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Crisis services will also continue to be offered by CMHC 24/7 through the CMHC Crisis Line, which can be accessed by calling 512-471-CALL (2255). Students can also call or come to CMHC for crisis services, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mental Health & Student Emergency Services: The CMHC has resources available and are utilizing telecounseling as an approach to support students. If you or a peer are experiencing stress and/or trauma, please visit their website here: https://cmhc.utexas.edu/ . It is important to realize that being knowledgeable of these resources will not only be beneficial for you, but also for friends and colleagues who may be under duress.
Please communicate directly to your faculty, your adviser, and departmental leadership if you are experiencing difficulty during this stressful time. While we have taken the approach to limit communication and cluttering your inboxes, we also realize it’s important that you know we are here to assist you however we can.
For remote mental health services, students can reach out to the Counseling and Mental Health Center, and staff and faculty members can get support through the Employee Assistance Program. Additionally, if you are a student who needs assistance with food or housing, or you don’t have access to a personal computer or internet connection, please complete the Student Emergency Services form and the university will work to help you.
Therapy Groups: College students often face overwhelming emotions, difficult relationships and adjustments, and academic problems for which a group may be the best support option – often being more beneficial than one-on-one counseling. Groups offer a unique setting in which peer interactions facilitate self-improvement and the alleviation of suffering.
CMHC offers therapy groups, therapeutic classes, and skill-building workshops that address a range of student needs. Some students are initially hesitant to participate in a group, but those who join consistently find them to be a beneficial and positive experience.
Groups are now meeting online via zoom:
https://cmhc.utexas.edu/groups.html
Graduate Student Mental Health Resource Guide – Fall 2020
It is more important than ever that we exercise self-care and maintain our mental health and well-being. Toward this end, please visit the new Graduate Student Mental Health Resource Guide. The guide compiles mental health and wellness resources available across campus with a focus on the needs of graduate students. It provides contact information for various offices and descriptions of remote and telehealth services. The resource guide is the culmination of a project initiated by the Graduate Assembly.
| VIEW MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE |
Family Obligations Support – Updated July 7, 2020:
Please be aware that CMHC has a weekly group that meets to discuss/support students who have children or are otherwise counted on to support family members during this period of COVID. The group happens to be led by our Jackson School CARE counselor from CMHC.
In a recent survey of our students, childcare and family issues were the #1 concern of students and how to balance those demands with research, teaching, schoolwork, etc.
Please be aware that CMHC has a weekly group that meets to discuss/support students who have children or are otherwise counted on to support family members during this period of COVID. The group happens to be led by our Jackson School CARE counselor from CMHC.
If you have these kinds of family obligations, encourage them to check out https://cmhc.utexas.edu/groups.html#schedule
Health:
As the virus continues to affect communities across the country, there is much you can do to monitor your health and protect others during this time. If you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, it’s important for you to be screened for testing. Students can call the UHS Nurse Advice Line at 512-475-6877.
Others can call UT Health Austin at 833-882-2737; call your physician, who can register you to be tested with Austin Public Health; call CommUnityCare at 512-978-8775; or access telehealth services (via Austin Public Health). If you are not in the Austin area, we encourage you to reach out to your personal physician and local health care providers for support.
University Health Services (UHS) is still open to provide care for acute illness or injury. Call the UHS Nurse Advice Line — 512-475-6877 — for guidance about when to come to UHS, especially if you have a fever and respiratory symptoms. UHS can also schedule telehealth appointments at 512-471-4955 for some health concerns.
Above all, it’s critical that we take care of ourselves and one another. That includes adhering to Austin Public Health and City of Austin orders to stay home except for essential needs and continuing to be vigilant about hand-washing, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and practicing social distancing. Further, stay aware of travel guidelines, including the need to quarantine when traveling from a COVID-19 hot spot.
For additional information related to COVID-19, including messages in multiple languages, visit Austin Public Health.
Campus Health Services
There are numerous healthcare options on campus that continue to serve students during the campus closure:
Health Insurance:
As a graduate student at UT Austin, you have different options for obtaining health insurance through the university, depending on whether you hold a fellowship or benefits-eligible academic employment position as a teaching assistant (TA), assistant instructor (AI) or Graduate Research Assistant (GRA).
All students at the university may enroll in Academic Blue, which provides excellent care at an affordable price. Benefits-eligible academic employees (AIs, TAs and GRAs) are automatically enrolled in UT Select, the university’s employee health plan, and receive state premium-sharing dollars to offset the cost of their enrollment.
Graduate students with fellowships valued at $10,000 or more are eligible to enroll in either plan, but Academic Blue is more cost effective for fellowship students since they do not receive premium sharing dollars to offset the cost of UT Select.
Below are updates with new policies, enrollment deadlines and links to more information and resources.
Academic Blue
If you are currently enrolled in UT Select and you choose to enroll in Academic Blue, you must take action to drop UT Select. For more information, please refer to the Change of Status webpage.
UT Select
Academic employees should review the New Student Employee Checklist to learn more about their onboarding responsibilities, optional insurance plans and the 31-day initial enrollment period.
Fellowship Holders
Access to Food
Student Emergency Services in the Office of the Dean of Students has launched UT Outpost to support students on our campus.
Hunger and food insecurity on our campus is real. Between 2015-16 and 2016-17, Student Emergency Services saw a 28% increase in the number of students helped with food-related needs. We know food insecurity makes it hard for students to stay in class and succeed, and our goal is to help students understand and identify food insecurity, as well as making nutritious food readily available to students when they need it.
Along with our food pantry, our team has launched a career closet to make sure every Longhorn has access to professional clothes for job and internship interviews. Emergencies and financial hardships can interfere with student success beyond the classroom, and this program serves as an additional resource for students.
For information about obtaining such resources please visit:
https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/utoutpost.php
The Writing Center
is open for online consultations. If you've never had a one-on-one appointment before, now may be a great time to use this service from the convenience of your own home. Consultants can work with you on any piece of writing at any stage of development.
All consultations will proceed as they did before: 45 minutes long with a trained graduate student consultant. Now, of course, the meeting will be held online, where you can talk with a consultant and share your work.
For more information about online appointments, visit our website at http://uwc.utexas.edu/appointments-new/
or email us at uwcgradservices@utexas.edu
To book an appointment, click here.
The Graduate School
In response to the university’s social distancing policy for COVID-19, the Graduate School will not be open for student walk-ins until further notice.
Instead, the Graduate School is accepting all forms digitally/online, including request for final oral examination forms (*ELP has been doing these primarily via DocuSign already.)
Dissertation/treatise proposal committee meetings as well as dissertation/treatise final defense meetings will now be conducted remotely (i.e. via Zoom) only.
Email Forms to the Graduate School:
Please email all materials to: GradStudentSvcs@austin.utexas.edu.
Include your name and UT EID in all correspondence.
All forms must be submitted in PDF format only.
Please ensure forms contain all the required signatures before emailing, as this may delay processing.
During peak periods, it may take up to seven days for our staff to reply. Please do not send your email more than once. You will receive a confirmation when your form is accepted.
Graduating Students:
ELP Doctoral Candidates Impacted by Covid-19
Per the Graduate School, graduate students who were on track to graduate in May but whose progress was delayed by COVID-19 may petition to register in absentia during the summer 2020 semester. This means that students will have until August 14, 2020 at 3pm to submit final materials without having to pay summer tuition.
Please note that in order to register in absentia for summer, students MUST apply to graduate during the spring semester and submit their programs of work before April 24. Students registered in absentia will be able to graduate in the summer 2020 semester if they submit all graduation materials to the Graduate School before 3 p.m. on August 14. Please note that these deadlines have been updated from the previous in absentia policy.
Please be aware (per email below) of the following restrictions if you do register in absentia.
To petition to be registered in absentia in the summer 2020 semester, please submit your petition application by Friday, April 24 at 5:00pm.
Required Documents:
Petition application packet must include:
The completed application should be a single PDF document emailed to Andrea Kehoe at Andrea.Kehoe@austin.utexas.edu.
For any questions that you may have, please contact Andrea Kehoe, ELP Director of Student Affairs, at Andrea.Kehoe@austin.utexas.edu
To report your dissertation, please follow the instructions detailed on the Graduate School website:
https://gradschool.utexas.edu/academics/graduation/deadlines-and-submission-instructions.
Upload the formatted dissertation BEFORE you email the forms, listed below, to GradStudentSvcs@austin.utexas.edu.
Forms include:
*The Graduate School will email you “The Report of Dissertation Committee” form a few days before the defense. Post-defense, let ELP Director of Student Affairs know if you need help seeking signatures on this form via Docusign, a digital workflow platform.
Only submit required pages Final reports, theses and dissertations MUST be uploaded to the Texas Digital Library before before your final paperwork and pages will be reviewed. After submission, no revisions or corrections will be allowed except for those required by the dean of the Graduate School.
Electronic signatures continue to be approved for use on all Graduate School forms such as the Request for Final Oral, Master’s Committee Approval and Report of Dissertation Committee. Digital signatures or scanned signatures are also allowed.
Please make every attempt to ensure that your report/thesis/dissertation complies with university format guidelines.
Please continue checking the Graduate School website for updates.
Accepted Forms Via Email:
Doctoral –
Request for Final Oral Examination
Current conditions will require greater flexibility in accommodating Ph.D. students’ final defenses. The Graduate School does not distinguish between physical attendance or electronic/virtual attendance. Given the university’s current policy on meetings of two or more individuals, final defenses should be conducted remotely if at all possible.
Doctoral students and their committees should consult in advance to identify an acceptable format. This may include individual communication between student and committee member, rather than the conventional single defense presentation to the entire committee.
Regardless of the format of the final defense, the Graduate School will consider a student to have passed when committee members have indicated their approval by signing the Report of Dissertation Committee. This verifies that committee members have read and reviewed the final dissertation to determine that it is an independent investigation and constitutes an original contribution to knowledge.
Request for Change in Doctoral Committee
Final Submission Required Pages
Masters (thesis/report options only) –
Petition for Change in Master’s Supervising Committee
PDF Graduation Applications (dual degree students only)
Petition to Extend the Six-Year Limit on Coursework
Final Submission Required Pages
All Students -
Authorization for Leave of Absence
Portfolio Completion Reporting Form
Request for University Extension Credit
Petition to Transfer a Graduate Course from Another Institution
Students who miss deadlines because of self-isolation or health-related issues should email our staff at GradStudentSvcs@austin.utexas.edu to request accommodation.
Online Resources – Updated May 13, 2020
In support of the transition to online classes, the FIC has developed extensive online materials that you might find helpful, including:
Graduate Student Programs & Services- Updated May 13, 2020
The FIC offers a variety of programs and services to help graduate students develop teaching skills, including:
Graduating Student Pursuing Academic/ Professional Careers Resources- Updated May 20, 2020
Due to COVID-19 and its impact on the economy, many of you will face a drastically different job market when you graduate. It is more important than ever that you are aware of the many career resources and professional development services available to you, whether you are pursuing academic or professional careers.
The Graduate School has partnered with Texas Career Engagement (TCE) to provide resources to assist graduate students. We would like to highlight some of the resources available through TCE that you might find helpful.
Individualized Career Advising- Updated May 20, 2020
TCE offers individualized career advising with expert advisors who work on a wide-range of career-related topics, accounting for the unique challenges and opportunities graduate students are considering when thinking about their future. Advising sessions range from self-assessment, decision-making and planning to specific advice on resume, CV and cover letter preparation for the job search.
Department Requests - Updated May 20, 2020
TCE is happy to work with your department or student organization to develop more discipline-specific, tailored career workshops relevant to you and your colleagues. Please email Annie Maxfield, director of graduate career and professional development with any questions.
Research-related Resources
Office of Sponsored Projects COVID-19 FAQs
Institutional Review Board COVID-19 FAQs
Other Resources
Central Health helps the people of Travis County live healthier. Created in 2004 by the voters of Travis County, we are the local public entity that provides access to the high-quality care everyone needs to get well and stay healthy. We work with a network of partners to eliminate health disparities to reach our vision of Travis County becoming a model healthy community.
Today, CommUnityCare Health Centers provides services at 27 locations and 3 partner locations throughout Travis County and surrounding counties.
CommUnityCare provides outpatient primary healthcare, dental care, pediatric, specialty care, lab, radiology including mammography, a full-service pharmacy, and behavioral health services. With the addition of Carousel Pediatrics, we are now also able to offer: dental pediatrics and mental health, speech, physical and occupational therapy for children. These services are provided to all Travis County residents and those residing in surrounding counties, including people whose income and lack of private health insurance prevents them from accessing care elsewhere.
Institutional Changes
Protect Texas Together App
We continue to make progress on the development of the Protect Texas Together app for students, faculty and staff that will help individuals track their symptoms each day and — based on those symptoms — indicate whether they are cleared to come to campus. The app is being designed with privacy in mind. Members of the UT research community have been voluntarily using the beta version of the app to help us learn and troubleshoot so that we can make it as effective as possible. The plan is to officially launch the app in mid-August
Additionally, ITS is developing a call-based app to accommodate users who do not have smartphones or computer access.
Longhorns Online - New Information July 28, 2020
We hope this email finds you healthy and safe. As we prepare to welcome you back to The University of Texas at Austin, we have created a new resource to help you find academic support, connect with other students, and share that UT spirit: Longhorns Online.
As you know, the university has reimagined the Fall 2020 classroom experience because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the new student learning experience now includes robust online, hybrid, and in-person classroom options. No matter which learning option you choose, you will have access to campus resources that will help you find what you need for success in the fall semester and beyond.
You can use Longhorns Online to easily access:
And much more
To learn more about Longhorns Online, watch this quick video here.
Whether you’re planning to learn on campus, online, or a combination of the two, we're all Protecting Texas Together.
IRB Changes - Updated Information July 8, 2020
PIs engaged in human subjects research will soon benefit from major improvements to the electronic solution for managing studies subject to Institutional Review Board oversight. Pending final development and testing, UT Research Management Suite – IRB will replace our legacy system, IRBaccess, in August 2020. This new tool - one of several research management solutions designed to reduce the administrative and regulatory burden on investigators - will manage the IRB study application and continuing review processes, integrate with training resources, and centralize communications between the IRB Office and researchers, study teams, and research and administrative support staff.
On July 20, 2020 the IRBaccess system will be restricted to actions for Full Board studies only. All new exempt and expedited studies need to be submitted prior to this date or preferably held until they can be submitted in the new IRB module in August. This time will allow us to complete migration of all existing study records to the UT Research Management Suite. For continued guidance on how to submit study documents during system migration, please monitor the Office of Research Support and Compliance Human Subjects webpage.
For more information on the UT Research Management Suite, or to ask questions or raise concerns about the transition to the new system, please contact the project team or email era@austin.utexas.edu.
Your Health and Well-Being - Updated Information July 8, 2020
The university has created a plan to keep our Longhorn family healthy on campus. Residence halls, student health centers, and dining and other facilities are being modified to comply with health and safety protocols, and plan to be fully sanitized and operational when students move in on Aug. 20. We have provided personal protective equipment (PPE) for our staff working in our facilities to wear, and will continue to do so. Hand hygiene products and cleaning stations will be readily available across campus.
When you arrive on campus, the university will require you to:
Wear a cloth mask indoors, with the exception of when you are eating in a campus dining facility, or are alone or with your roommate in your on-campus residence hall room. Masks outdoors are strongly encouraged.
Avoid touching your face and cloth mask.
Carry your own cloth masks (wear one, carry a spare), alcohol-based hand sanitizer and surface wipes.
Keep your hands clean: sneeze and cough into your elbow; open doors without your hands, if possible.
Wash your hands well and often.
Keep six feet of distance between yourself and friends, faculty, staff and others whenever possible.
We encourage you to meet up with others either outdoors or in larger common areas (not private rooms), following mask and social distancing guidelines, or to meet up online.
Students needing ADA accommodations (such as wearing a mask) should contact Services for Students with Disabilities. Students with special circumstances (non-ADA), including COVID-19 symptoms, should go to SES and complete the absence notification request form.
We will encourage compliance by increasing awareness and fostering a culture of cooperation. On a case-by-case basis, for those who put the community at risk with their behavior, corrective and disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with the university’s guidelines for faculty, staff and students.
Living and Dining - Updated Information July 8, 2020
All university-owned residence halls plan to open Aug. 20. We have a new process to Mooov-In safely over a period of several days, with extended hours to honor social distancing. We ask students and families to wear a cloth mask during Mooov-In, and follow all signage and staff directions. Please limit the number of accompanying helpers to no more than two or your immediate family members. Helpers will be asked to stay in their car within East Campus Garage while the student picks up their room key.
We are slating most rooms in our residence halls as double occupancy, in addition to a number of single occupancy rooms, with residents following the Guidance for Living in University Residence Halls. After Mooov-In, visitors will not be allowed in the residence halls. Residents will be required to wear cloth masks in common spaces, but not when they are alone or with their roommates in their own rooms, or when eating at an on-campus dining facility. Our staff are cleaning and disinfecting facilities daily, performing enhanced, routine cleaning of common areas, and wearing PPE.
UHD is also preparing community-building and individual opportunities to make sure students in our residence halls feel connected, including assigning a resident assistant to each resident to help them find ways to build community.
University Apartments are operating as usual, and students are being asked to follow university guidelines for personal care and social distancing, including in elevators, laundry rooms, restrooms, lounges and other common areas.
We are also modifying dining options, including ordering, delivery and seating, to follow health behavior guidelines and limit unnecessary interactions. Preparations are underway to reopen dining facilities, including those in the residence halls, for the fall semester. Possibilities include offering to-go meals served by staff, with no self-serve option at multiple locations. During peak periods, additional locations may be opened for packaged hot meal pick-up to reduce the number of diners at any one location. We are looking into increasing outside seating and potentially adding space in the halls for dining, as well as extending evening operating hours at some dining locations. Our staff are cleaning and disinfecting facilities daily, performing enhanced, routine cleaning of common areas, and wearing PPE. Dining halls will accept credit cards and funds on UT IDs such as Bevo Pay, Dine In Dollars and the resident meal plan. We are also exploring mobile apps for placing orders and pick-up.
For more information about university-owned housing and residence hall dining, please click here for up-to-date information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Campus Life and Engagement - Updated Information July 8, 2020
Student-focused buildings and spaces, including dining facilities, Recreational Sports facilities, the Student Services Building, the Texas Union and the William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center, are expected to be open, with social distancing and masking requirements in place, when residence halls open to students on Aug. 20. Facility teams are beginning to implement enhanced sanitization and disinfection protocols. They will also modify furniture arrangements and adjust population capacities to follow the university’s social distancing requirements.
We want students, whether learning on or away from campus, to experience campus life and all of its benefits. The university is working on guidelines to ensure that we safely resume in-person events, meetings, student-facing transactions and student gatherings this fall. We will provide student engagement activities fully or partially online, on campus and/or in outdoor spaces. This includes meetings of student organizations, recreational sports activities and other student gatherings of various sizes. The university will institute contactless check-in for UT events and student life activities when those resume, in accordance with university events guidelines. These guidelines will be available when you arrive in August.
All student life activities will be closely monitored to follow the health and wellness guidelines, policies and procedures, to enhance the campus experience. Department support services, programs and engagement efforts will be added, removed or adapted, in response to safety protocols and direction from university leadership.
Also, look for Longhorn Connection to launch this summer. This online student portal will deliver innovative options to connect students through activities and events. Another creative outlet is Longhorn Lockbox, a portal that is now available where you can share your stories during these stressful times through poetry, lyrics, prose, music, videos, podcasts, etc.
The Office of the Dean of Students will provide a wide variety of student life activities and support services, in person and remotely. The Leadership and Ethics Institute will offer CoachUT, LEAP, open workshops and Workshops on Demand virtually. ProjectLEAD will begin in the fall semester and will remain an in-person experience to the fullest extent possible.
Sorority and Fraternity Life will continue to offer its services virtually, including programming and regular council and chapter meetings with staff. Student Emergency Services and Student Veteran Services will meet with students over the phone/online as much as possible. There may be situations when a student walks into the office in distress, or there is heightened safety concern, in which an in-person meeting will be appropriate.
Student Conduct and Academic Integrity will hold all meetings and hearings on Zoom. Title IX Training and Investigations will also schedule all meetings on Zoom. A private courtesy computer and phone will be available should a student not have equipment available and need to reach Title IX Training and Investigations.
Students who are interested in programs from New Student Services, such as Longhorn TIES (initiative to help students on the autism spectrum) and Off-Campus Living Resources (resources to help students who live off-campus), can find updated information linked from the homepage here.
University Unions’ Events + Entertainment (E+E), the largest event-planning organization on campus, is developing a variety of social, educational and cultural programs, both virtually and in-person, for the fall.
The Multicultural Engagement Center will provide leadership development opportunities, peer-facilitated social justice and education trainings, and support services to student organizations and its six student agencies. The Gender and Sexuality Center will also continue to support women and the LGBTQIA+ communities through education, outreach and advocacy.
Recreational Sports - Updated Information July 8, 2020
Plans a phased reopening for the fall semester, with some modifications regarding how you experience facilities, programs and services, in order to practice physical distancing, minimize contact, and allow for enhanced cleaning protocols. Staff will implement contactless check-in and virtual customer service options. In addition to operational modifications, there will also be a number of things that we ask you to do as you gear up to return to work out, play and participate in Recreational Sports, to help keep yourself and others safe. Virtual programming options will continue for those who are unable to participate in-person or on-campus.
If you are an incoming first-year or transfer student who was unable to participate in an online orientation session in June or July, please sign up for August Orientation. If you are a new freshman or transfer student, I encourage you to join your official “Class of . . .” Facebook group to get to know other Longhorns before the fall semester. Make plans to participate in Longhorn Welcome. This series of events welcomes new Longhorns to campus and takes place Aug. 18-28. The majority of the events will be virtual, and the details of the events will be sent to students in early August and posted at longhornwelcome.utexas.edu.
Specialized Qualifying Exam:
For more information on the SQE, see: https://wikis.utexas.edu/display/ELP/Doctoral+Program+Process
For 2nd year doctoral students - Mid Program Review:
All ELP doctoral students are expected to complete their Mid Program Review by the end of spring semester of their 2nd year in their program. The Mid Program Review consists of a meeting between a student and their adviser, and for the remainder of the semester, these meetings will happen remotely/online with your faculty adviser. Please plan on completing your Mid Program Review by 5/30/20. See the Mid Program Review section of our wiki for more information:
https://wikis.utexas.edu/display/ELP/Doctoral+Program+Process
Student Travel Awards:
Accommodations for fall 2020:
1. PDA awards can be used for other professional development activities, such as online workshops or data/analytical training (e.g. statistics). These activities cannot be regular coursework but instead new things to extend the student’s current training that require funding.
2. Students going to virtual conferences must still be presenting their research in order to use the PDA.
3. Students taking language training will only be covered by a PDA if that language is not taught at UT and relates to degree requirements.
4. Amount restrictions still apply; $100 minimum (temporarily lowered from $250), $1000 maximum.
5. Students still need to submit a short report about the professional development value they received from this activity,
6. Dates of the activity must still be within the dates for the fall semester that the funds are requested.
The university has suspended all university sponsored international and domestic travel through April 30 with the possibility that this date could be extended. ELP will therefore not be disbursing any student travel awards this semester. Please reach out to the conference organizers, Airbnb, hotels, airlines, etc. to inquire about cancelling any reservations and receiving refunds. If you are encountering difficulties please let us know.
Domestic travel exception requests must be approved by the relevant dean or vice president prior to the submission of a Request-to-Travel (RTA), and that approval should be included when the RTA is submitted. International travel will follow the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), International SOS (ISOS) and U.S. Department of State (USDOS) for dates later than July 1.
Stipends
The university has taken steps to help graduate students financially. As previously announced by the provost, the Tuition Reduction Benefit (TRB) gap will continue to be covered during summer 2020 and the 2020-21 academic year. Also, the university will be providing central funding for TA and AI salary increases (in an amount equivalent to 2 percent of the current TA/AI salary pool) for the next academic year. Colleges and schools will allocate these funds to help improve equity and elevate graduate student salaries.
Career Options & Planning
The Graduate School continues to partner with Texas Career Engagement to develop programming to help students plan careers during the pandemic. The Graduate School is also continuing its work through the AAU Ph.D. Education Initiative to inform students of their many career options and help them to successfully navigate a wide variety of career paths. You can view upcoming sessions for graduate students at the Texas Career Engagement website.
Professional Development
In the coming weeks, Texas Career Engagement will be developing resources and hosting online events to help students prepare for their job search following the economic impact of the pandemic.
You may apply for a complimentary registration to attend Beyond the Professoriate's 7th Annual Online Career Conference for Ph.D.s. Texas Career Engagement and the Graduate School will be providing registration for 50 graduate students for the Zoom webinar event on Saturday, May 2 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Teaching Resources
The Faculty Innovation Center (FIC) continues to provide resources to help you make the transition to online courses as well as improve teaching and learning in general.
Additionally, the FIC’s Graduate Student Teaching Showcase presentations are now online. Seven graduate students from across campus were selected to present at the showcase, which highlights instructors who have implemented creative pedagogical approaches in their classrooms.
Updates - Where to find them
Announcements from the University and College related to the response to COVID-19 will continue to be posted at the websites below:
Please Check the Following Regularly –
UT Coronavirus Updates and FAQs: https://coronavirus.utexas.edu/.You can also provide feedback and submit questions there so that the university can continue to respond and support you through this challenging period.
College of Ed Guidance: https://education.utexas.edu/coronavirus.
Graduate School: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/content/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions
The Texas One Stop, for critical information around registration, tuition, and financial aid. This information will be updated frequently. Additionally, graduate students can contact their graduate coordinators and advisers for more information.
Finally
We are aware that the COVID-19 moment has exposed some of society’s greatest flaws. Xenophobic and racist behavior directed to the Asian and Asian American community; racist trolls infiltrating our online communities and using hateful slurs towards our students; and the fraying of the social safety net for the most vulnerable members of our community. Please know that the ELP community is here to support you and your families, colleagues, and community members. Don’t hesitate to reach out directly to your faculty, your advisors, and departmental leadership if you are experiencing difficulty during this stressful time. Also, the Campus Climate Response Team (CCRT) is accepting bias reports; you can access the online system here:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=11b77a5089cc4d6b9226bb17e6f79a2d.
We know this is not how you envisioned your spring semester to be (none of us did), but we are all doing our very best to adjust and transition. Our goal is to preserve your academic experience and continue your educational journey as much as possible and ensure your success at UT.