Campus Operations
Running UT is a collaborative effort. The university is committed to keeping the campus community healthy while learning, living, teaching and working. To minimize density on campus, UT will continue to promote working remotely. Staff members who are able to work remotely should do so into the Spring with approval of their managers.
To minimize risk at UT facilities and make sure they are functioning properly and can accommodate adequate distancing, UT has established building inspection and certification processes.
The university will provide recommended protective face masks for employees who require this type of personal protective equipment to perform their daily work and will have limited supplies available for other urgent needs.
UT will support employees who may need accommodations or flexible work arrangements due to household needs.
Campus Open Status
The university regularly monitors and determines the level of operations for classes, housing, research and other events and activities using an established framework. Levels of operations range from a closed campus to fully open. Levels within this range include various combinations of online and in-person classes, class size densities, on-campus housing availability, and expanded or reduced research activities. Additional details about Decision Triggers for Campus Closure.
Potential indicators of the need to change the university operating level at any given time include numerous community and campus considerations including but not limited to:
- Significant, applicable actions by public officials
- Number and trends of COVID-19-related cases
- Number and trends of COVID-19-related hospital admissions
- Testing capacity
- Availability of personal protective equipment
- Availability of isolation facilities
- Trends among other comparable institutions of higher education
Staff’s Vital Role
Educating the Campus
Educate the UT community about proper social distancing and hygiene protocols.
Promote Social Distancing
Promote social distancing at 6 feet apart. For example, clearly mark unavailable areas and manage high-traffic transition periods.
Clean Common Spaces
Clean all classrooms, research spaces and common areas regularly, adhering to recommended protocols. Information regarding custodial services cleaning and disinfection processes can be found here.
Limit Occupancy of Common Spaces
Limit elevator and restroom occupancy to maintain social distancing.
Re-occupancy Certification
Facilities must have certification and inspection on file to support re-occupancy efforts.
Facilities Readiness Checklist
The Facilities Readiness Checklist helps building management teams address major building systems such as HVAC, water, electrical, security and access systems. Protocol for preparing campus facilities for safe re-occupancy can be found here.
Workspace Navigation Checklist
The Workspace Navigation Checklist helps building management teams address preparing the spaces and rooms within a building to accommodate behavior in office spaces, and preparing classrooms and other common spaces.
COVID-19 Reporting Process
The Occupational Health Program is currently monitoring employees who have tested positive or a presumed positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus) and is receiving daily check-ins from those employees impacted. Any employee who has been tested, regardless of test results, or who has symptoms of COVID-19 should report to OHP at 512-471-4647 or healthpoint.ohp@austin.utexas.edu. OHP helps slow the spread of COVID-19 by performing contract tracing, providing health and leave guidance, helping employees determine when it’s safe to go back to work, and works with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to help decide if buildings should be deep cleaned to help keep the rest of campus safe. OHP follows privacy guidelines in its reporting to EHS that allow the university to keep the workplace and co-workers safe while still protecting individual privacy as much as possible.
Safeguarding Facilities
Elevator, stairwell, hallway and restroom access will be limited based on facility square footage. Location-specific signage will provide guidance, with restroom capacity generally limited to 50%.
Meetings and Events
The University of Texas is implementing mitigation and social distancing strategies in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) while also supporting our students’ educational goals and the needs of staff and faculty members and students. While courses, meetings and gatherings are being assessed for alternative delivery methods, UT remains open.
This document exists to assist decision-making by faculty members, staff members and students for those in-person classes, meetings, or other gatherings that are deemed essential and cannot be postponed or moved to an online format.
Guidelines for Meetings, Events and Mass Gatherings
Submit questions about mitigation strategies to emergencypreparedness@austin.utexas.edu. We will partner with you to ensure safeguards are in place to protect the public health of our university community. Other questions should be submitted via the university’s COVID-19 questions and feedback form.
