MARCH 17, 2020 — Editor's note: The following message was sent via email today from President Taylor Eighmy to all students:
I know that the last month or so has been filled with worry, distress and questions about how the rest of the academic year will be impacted by the pandemic. I know many of you are heartbroken at the prospect of leaving your friends and professors. I am so sorry that this unfortunate circumstance has come to pass, especially for graduating students. I appreciate your patience and am proud of your determination as we move forward together.
This unprecedented situation has required that we make tough calls on a daily basis, which must then be refined by the hour as new information is released by our public health officials. Our two priorities have always been—and will continue to be—sustaining the health and well-being of our community and protecting the successful academic trajectory of all of you, our students.
I write to you with some important changes regarding the remainder of our academic semester. I know that these changes will cause serious disruptions, but they are based on the best public health information we have under advisement today from UT System as well as our city, county and state governments.
Online Instruction
As you know, all UTSA classes will be conducted online beginning March 23. After careful consideration, online instruction now will continue through the end of the spring semester. This extension for the entire spring term provides both planning certainty and pedagogical continuity, a benefit to you—our students—and to your faculty.
We are working through the college-level academic planning, led by Provost Espy, to evaluate and determine what strategies for final exams might be recommended (and in what pedagogical contexts) in an effort to alleviate stress for both students and faculty. We will share that information as soon as practical.
This past week, your faculty have been actively engaged with instructional design professionals and expert scholars in their colleges to transition existing course materials to effective virtual online modalities. Furthermore, we are working to implement strategies to continue to provide a variety of student academic support services remotely, such as peer-mentoring and advising, among others. More information will be forthcoming.
Making this decision now offers students and faculty the opportunity to plan out the rest of the semester, adding some degree of pedagogical consistency to what is otherwise a disruptive end to the academic year. We understand that many of you will have concerns about how your academic work will be evaluated under these circumstances. We are exploring measures to mitigate grading concerns and are looking into a variety of strategies that might alleviate academic stress for students.
For those students who are graduating this semester, degrees will still be conferred in May. However, in-person commencement ceremonies previously scheduled for May 16-17 will be postponed. It is possible that a ceremony will be held later this summer or fall. Again, we will share that information once a decision has been made.
To our seniors and graduating master’s and Ph.D. students: know that we are committed to making this semester a success so that you can obtain your degrees. To our continuing students: we are fully dedicated to your successful completion of this semester, and to working with you to register and successfully complete your future semesters at UTSA.
On-Campus Residents
At this time, all students who are able to must return home and stay home for the rest of the semester. The fewer students we have on campus, the more we can decrease the potential health risk to the larger community. Thank you for your generosity and understanding as we work to protect your fellow students and vulnerable members of the campus community.
We are developing plans to reimburse students on a pro-rated basis who have paid for on-campus housing, dining plans and other specific related campus services they cannot use as a result of this requirement. More details will be forthcoming, although it will take some time until specific information is available for each student.
Leaving Campus
We realize that for those of you returning home, the next week may be stressful. Student residents will receive more information soon regarding move out procedures and how to retrieve belongings or have them packed and shipped for those unable to travel to campus.
As you make your arrangements, try to pack in ways that will allow you to leave campus yourself, rather than requiring family members to assist you. Our goal remains to limit the number of people on campus.
We hope everyone who is able can complete their move-out by March 31.
Guidelines for Remaining on Campus
We know that, for a variety of reasons, some students have no other suitable option other than to remain in university residences. As always, we will work with these students to ensure they can remain on campus with our support.
Unless you meet one of the criteria listed below, you must leave campus and stay home for the rest of the semester.
Select student services, such as the Roadrunner Café, will stay open to serve remaining on-campus student residents.
Tomorrow all campus student residents will receive a survey to gather information regarding the need for accommodations. Please watch your in-box and respond as soon as possible so we can be sure you get the assistance you need.
Campus Operations
Starting next week, limited campus services will be available. The following services will remain open on campus:
As we begin this next new phase, UTSA will implement a primarily remote telecommuting workforce. Some employees who are essential to campus operations will remain on campus to provide critical functions.
As always, these plans are subject to change depending on the evolving situation.
Upcoming Town Hall
I encourage you to attend our upcoming virtual town hall meeting for students, to take place on Thursday, March 19 from 3 to 4 p.m. It will provide an opportunity to hear more about preparing for online classes on Monday and ask any of your questions.
Panelists will include Senior Vice Provost and Dean of Students LT Robinson, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Innovation Melissa Vito, Vice Provost for Student Success Tammy Wyatt, Senior Vice Provost and Dean of University College Heather Shipley, and Vice President for Information Management and Technology Kendra Ketchum. A link to access the town hall will be sent soon.
Travel and Self-Isolation Reminders
Finally, I’d like to remind you of our travel guidelines and the importance of self-isolation for those of you returning from any international or hot-spot domestic travel.
I have great faith in UTSA and in our ability to come together as a community during these challenging times. Though we may not all be together physically, I know our Roadrunner spirit is strong and enduring. Please know that your health and safety and those of your loved ones is paramount. We promise to keep you apprised of developments and communicate regularly. Please use our UTSA coronavirus website as a daily resource.
#UTSATogether
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The Roadrunner Pantry/Whataburger Resource Room has joined efforts with the campus community for the Move-In Market! Come shop for some great items for your room or apartment to get you started and set up for success. The best part about it--everything is free! Bring your UTSA student ID to receive shopping credits.
Student Union Annex (BK Lot 5 next to Campus Garden)UTSA parents and family members are invited for appetizers and drinks to meet other Roadrunner families following Move-In Week. Students are encouraged to attend Comedy Night and Late Night at the Rec, while family members celebrate their student’s next chapter.
Rock & Brews Restaurant, 5702 Landmark Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78249Late Night at the Rec features an evening of fun, games, giveaways, and excitement. It's also a great way to learn about the facilities, recreation programs, and wellness services offered at the Main and Downtown campuses.
Campus Rec Center, Main CampusCome show your Roadrunner Spirit by joining our very own Rowdy, The Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band (SOSA), your fellow students, as we light the Monument at our Main Campus entrance at the stroke of midnight to mark the start of a new academic year.
Main CampusAnnual Giving will host a First Day of School celebration to welcome students back to campus. We will have giveaways and photo opportunities.
Sombrilla PlazaA sweet start to the Semester. Join the University College to customize your own sugar cookie while enjoying connecting with other UTSA students.
Airport Lounge (SU 2.02.00D,) Student Union, Main CampusJoin us for a tabling event with the UTS Bold Careers Program! Start the academic year off right with our team to discuss experiential learning and career development.
In front of the Rowdy Campus StoreThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.