Faculty
Testing and Reporting
COVID-19 Testing
If you are a UT faculty member exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, you will be able to schedule a test with UT Health Austin. You can also arrange a test with the health care provider of your choice. UT Health Austin (UTHA) will bill an individual’s insurance plan for this clinical testing, and most insurance plans, including the UT Select employee insurance plan fully cover the cost of testing for symptomatic individuals. For employees who are uninsured, UTHA will explore the use of federal programs, if available, to help cover the cost.
Report All Testing
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to help keep our employees safe, it is important that employees, including student employees, and managers report symptoms and testing regardless of test results to the Occupational Health Program (OHP) as soon as possible. Contact 512-471-4647 or email the Occupational Health Program to report COVID-19 symptoms or tests regardless results. OHP values employee privacy and is following privacy guidelines that allow the university to keep our workplace and co-workers safe while still protecting individual privacy as much as possible. Learn more about the COVID-19 reporting process and how it helps slow the spread of the virus.
Staying Healthy On Campus
University Masking Guidance
Masks are optional inside university buildings and outdoors. For individuals who are not fully vaccinated or have weakened immune systems, masking and social distancing are optional but recommended.
See the university’s health behavior guidance for the most current information on who should mask and when.
Daily Health Screenings
Daily symptom screening will help keep the campus community safer. Please use the university’s Protect Texas Together app before leaving for campus. If you don’t have a smartphone, a phone-based application is also available.
Accommodations
Faculty with a medical condition or other risk factor placing them at high risk for COVID-19 can request a reasonable accommodation using the Americans with Disabilities Act process. Faculty who already have a written arrangement with their department chair to teach online do not need to go through this process. All others can request this accommodation through the Employee Accommodation Request Form.
Supporting Your Students
Students with Special Circumstances
Students with special circumstances including COVID-19 symptoms should submit the Student Emergency Services absence notification request form.
Health and Safety Rule Violations
Instructors can refer student violations to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity to initiate the discipline process.
Office Hours
Faculty members may choose to hold office hours on campus, while adhering to campus safety guidelines.
Ways to Help Students
Students can contact Student Emergency Services for more information related to financial assistance.
The Counseling and Mental Health Center has a variety of resources for students in need.
Research
Six-Level Plan
UT has implemented a six-level plan to reopen research activity. Detailed information can be found in the Restart Research plan. The university is currently at Research Level 1, effective May 17, 2021.
