Students and Families
Whether students are joining us online or on campus, we want them to feel safe and supported during the fall semester. The university is offering many student life activities, support services and programs virtually, providing program and service opportunities to students who do not return to campus, including undergraduate, graduate and international students, veterans and student parents.
Longhorns Online is a robust site that provides information about academics, advising, student support services and other important online contacts designed to help Longhorns successfully navigate their educational path during their time at UT Austin and beyond.
Through Longhorn Connection, students can connect with their friends, peers and campus community through activities and events.
We encourage students to stay connected and engaged during the fall semester while prioritizing their physical health and mental well-being.
Students Self-Quarantine Prior to Campus Arrival
All students should take very seriously the responsibility of preventing the spread of COVID-19, and self-quarantining is a critical first step. Learn more about how to self-quarantine here.
Away from Austin
To effectively self-quarantine, please stay in your home and limit in-person interactions as much as possible throughout the two-week period. If quarantining at home is not possible, then please quarantine for up to 14 days before your first on-campus activity once you arrive in Austin.
Already in Austin
If you are already in Austin, you should quarantine in your Austin residence for 14 days prior to the start of classes or your first on-campus activity. Everyone’s situation is different; please make self-quarantine plans in a manner that makes sense for you.
Staying Healthy On Campus
Daily Health Screenings
Daily symptom screening will help keep the campus community safer. Please use the university’s Protect Texas Together app before going to class. If you don’t have a smartphone, a phone-based application is also available.
Recommended Protective Face Masks are Mandatory Indoors
Wearing a recommended protective face mask at all times when inside university buildings will be mandatory except when alone in a private office, eating in a campus dining facility or when students are in their own residence hall rooms. A recommended protective face mask while outdoors is encouraged.
Supporting Students Mental Well-Being
Counseling, support groups, workshops and recreational opportunities will be offered to help students cope with the stressors caused by COVID-19. Visit our How to Support a Longhorn page for resources.
Proactive Community Testing
Our goal is to test up to 5,000 UT community members each week. Our goal is to test up to 5,000 UT community members each week. Learn more about UT’s plans for proactive community testing
COVID-19 Testing
If you are a UT student exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, you will be able to schedule a test with University Health Services. UHS will bill individual’s insurance plans for this clinical testing, and most insurance plans, including the Academic Blue student health insurance plan fully cover the cost of testing for symptomatic individuals. For uninsured students tested at UHS, the university is subsidizing the costs for the tests so there is no out of pocket expense. If a student tests positive for COVID-19 at a testing facility that is not UHS, we recommend they share this information with UHS.
Modified Operations
Residence halls, student health centers, and dining and other facilities are complying with health and safety protocols. Please check their specific websites for the latest information including operating hours and other details.
What Your Semester Will Look Like
Students May Choose Online Learning
Students may choose to do their semester online, with exceptions for some courses. Many classes, including the 400 largest unique classes, will meet online only.
Path Toward Graduation
Not all classes will be available online, so students will need to assess how such a choice would affect their paths toward graduation.
Shortened Time On Campus
The fall 2020 semester will start Aug. 26. In-person instruction will end Nov. 24, two days before Thanksgiving. Most Students will attend classes remotely for the remainder of the semester. View the Academic Calendar for Long Session 2020-2021 for additional information.
Tuition is the Same
Online and on-campus courses will have the same tuition rates.
Expanded Class Days
Classes will be more evenly distributed through an expanded class day running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Similar Class Schedules
Passing periods between classes will not be changed, so scheduled course times are staying as they were when students registered except for those classes that have to be moved for density reasons.
Reduced Classroom Capacity
Rooms will be assigned to classes so that when all students registered for that class attend, no more than 40% of the seats in that classroom will be occupied. Please refer to the guidance on Classrooms, Research Spaces, and Common Area Social Distancing and Density.
Classroom Accommodations
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
UT is still obligated to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to their courses, regardless of course format. Instructors should consider adopting accessibility best practices and inclusive teaching and learning strategies to provide proactive access for students. Instructors must continue to provide the individualized accommodations outlined in students’ Accommodation Letters. More information about providing accommodations can be found on Services for Students with Disabilities website and on the FAQ list for faculty.
Special Circumstances
Students with special circumstances (non-ADA), including COVID-19 symptoms, should go to Student Emergency Services and complete the absence notification request form with the expectation that their attendance requirement will not be affected.
Campus Life and Engagement
Student-Focused Buildings
Most student-focused buildings and spaces began a phased opening on Aug. 17. Students officially move into residence halls during Mooov-In, Aug. 20-23.
Student Activities
These guidelines promote safer student life activities and UT events whether 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 return in August.
Modified Dining
UT modified dining options, including ordering, delivery and seating, to follow health guidance and limit unnecessary interactions. Please check specific websites for the latest information including operating hours and other details.
Counseling and Mental Health
The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) is providing its full array of services to students beginning fall 2020 and continuing telehealth services. The CMHC will extend its virtual hours and offer evening appointments to students in the fall.
University Health Services
University Health Services (UHS) is providing all services on campus this fall and will continue telehealth services. UHS will continue to offer students COVID-19 screening in its designated respiratory clinic and conduct contact tracing as needed.
University Housing
Residence Hall Occupancy
Most rooms in residence halls will be slated as double occupancy in addition to a number of single occupancy rooms. Guidance for Living in University Residence Halls
University Apartments
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.
Recommended Protective Face Masks
Residents will be required to wear a recommended protective face mask 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.
University-Owned Residence Halls
Students moved into university-owned residence halls during Mooov-In Aug. 20-23, safely moving in over a period of four days, with extended hours to avoid crowding.
No Guests
Residents will not be allowed to have guests in the residence halls during the day or overnight.
Enhanced Cleaning
The university will perform enhanced, routine cleaning of common areas and provide personal protective equipment. Staff members working in the residence halls will be provided and will wear PPE.
Housing Contracts
Contracts Honored
The university will honor all contracts for university-owned residence halls. Students will be required to sign a COVID-19 amendment to the housing contract.
Room Selection
Students with a residence hall housing contract received an email on July 1 notifying them of the date they can go into the housing portal to select a room.
Winter Break Housing
Students whose circumstances require that they remain on campus in residence halls from the end of the fall semester until the spring 2021 semester begins must apply for winter break housing and sign a separate contract.
Non-UT Housing Contracts
Students with non-UT housing contracts should contact their property owner directly.
Graduate Programs and International Students
Deferred Admission and Student Employment
Given the likely delays for newly admitted international students to enter into the United States, graduate programs should be flexible and allow international students to defer admission, if requested. Students who expect be employed as a Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant, or other position should check with their department about the availability of financial support before beginning their studies from abroad.
International Travel
The university will follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. State Department guidelines regarding international travelers self quarantining before returning to campus.
