Living
We want students, whether online or on campus, to get the most out of campus life. Therefore, UT is working on guidelines to ensure that we safely resume in-person events, meetings, student-facing transactions and student gatherings this fall. UT will provide student engagement activities fully or partially online, on campus or in outdoor spaces. This includes meetings of student organizations, recreational sports activities and other student gatherings of various sizes. These guidelines will be available when students arrive in August.
Student-focused buildings and spaces including dining halls, Recreational Sports facilities, the Texas Union and William C. Powers Jr. Student Activity Center plan to be fully operational the day residence halls open to students in August. Most rooms in residence halls will be slated as double occupancy in addition to a number of single occupancy rooms with modified dining options.
The university will continue offering medical and mental health services via telehealth and in-person visits, as well as through in-person and virtual programming. Online programs and services will be offered, providing program and service opportunities to students who do not return to campus, including undergraduate, graduate, international, veterans and student parents, beginning on Aug. 20.
Staying Connected, Engaged and Healthy
Help with Stress
The Division of Student Affairs will offer new support groups, workshops and recreational opportunities to help students cope with the stressors caused by COVID-19.
Contactless Check-In
UT will institute contactless check-in for UT events and student life activities when those resume in accordance with university events guidelines.
New Student Portal
Through a virtual student portal, the Longhorn Connection, UT will deliver innovative options to connect students to activities, events and each other.
Cleaning
The university will clean various activity areas nightly and regularly sanitize public areas and office spaces.
Student Employees
Student employees will work with their supervisor to determine their working modality and expectations, whether working in person, remotely or a hybrid.
Student Life Activity Monitoring
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 and programs and engagement efforts will be added, removed or adapted in response to safety protocols and direction from university leadership.
Special Circumstances
Students with special circumstances (non-ADA), including COVID-19 symptoms, should submit the Student Emergency Services absence notification request form with the expectation that the attendance requirement will not be affected.
Violations of Mask Policy
UT will encourage compliance by increasing awareness and fostering a spirit of cooperation. For those who continue putting 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.
Campus Dining
Preparations are underway for reopening dining facilities, including those in the residence halls for the fall semester. Possibilities include:
To-Go Meals
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.
Increased Seating
Increased outside seating and potential additional space in the halls for dining.
Extended Operation
Extended evening operating hours at some dining locations.
