There’s no doubt that the pandemic has changed how we live, learn, work and teach. We’ve been working hard across èƵapp to welcome our new and continuing Mustangs this fall! Take a look at how we’re taking health and safety to heart as we continue to provide the high-quality academic and èƵapp experiences that make up the signature èƵapp education.
Three stampeding Mustangs wore their masks to remind the èƵapp community to follow safety protocols in the classroom and outside.
Academic advisors are available on Zoom and for limited drop-in services. èƵapp are encouraged to schedule appointments when possible.
As part of the èƵappFlex model, instructors will meet in person with approximately half of their students each week, while the other half of the class will simultaneously attend via Zoom. If an instructor has sufficient socially distanced space in their classroom to accommodate all of their students, they may choose to have all students attend every class period in person.
As part of the èƵappFlex model, instructors will meet in person with approximately half of their students each week, while the other half of the class will simultaneously attend via Zoom.
èƵapp students have opportunities to learn in èƵappFlex and Virtual class formats.
èƵapp’s Residential Commons will continue to integrate the academic and social aspects of a robust èƵapp experience with virtual and in-person opportunities in each Residential Commons. Social distancing with face coverings will allow for smaller group events and opportunities to connect with each other and with the Faculty in Residence.
èƵapp ambassadors and tour guides lead the way so that future Mustangs can imagine themselves on èƵapp.
Social distancing with face coverings enable smaller group events and opportunities for students to connect with one another and with Faculty in Residence.
In the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports, students may still enjoy and benefit from a wide array of fitness activities and equipment by following safety rules – wearing face coverings at all times, reserving times to work out, and limiting the use of locker rooms and showers.
èƵapp’s Residence Life and Student Housing (RLSH) is working hard to provide a seamless and socially distanced fall move-in.
For students to continue to have a robust èƵapp experience, maximum capacity has been identified in indoor lounge and lobby spaces so that students can connect with one another while social distancing and wearing face coverings.
Highly visible signage enables èƵapp’s commitment to the high-quality academic and co-curricular experience for which the University is known.
Along with reduced occupancy and limited access to enable social distancing and safety protocols in èƵapp libraries, books and other materials that are returned will be quarantined for 48 hours to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
In the wake of the pandemic, staff in the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center continued to provide services, even when students moved off èƵapp this past spring. The Health Center is ready for fall with its unwavering commitment to serve our students.
The Dr. Bob Smith Health Center offers COVID-19 testing. The staff has been able to provide testing results to students within 24–48 hours of sample collection.
èƵapp has wellness pods and three residential facilities dedicated to isolation purposes. The capacity of the units will be monitored closely.
For students who need a place on èƵapp to attend a virtual class, Zoom Rooms will be available by reservation.
Visitors over age 2 must wear masks.
Dedman School of Law launched a clinic project with an emergency helpline that offers North Texas residents and small businesses opportunities to secure free legal assistance with issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as housing, immigration, consumer protection, loan and grant programs, insurance, commercial leases and more. Working under the supervision of èƵapp Law Clinic faculty, more than 45 law students staff the COVID-19 Legal Helpline (214-èƵapp-COVD).
Two digital health-monitoring tools help the èƵapp community make smart choices about coming to èƵapp. With the Mustang Daily Symptom Checker, users determine whether they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and are guided on what to do next if they are. èƵapp has partnered with PathCheck Foundation, whose easy-to-use contact tracing app helps find and notify those on èƵapp who might have come in contact with someone who later tests positive for COVID-19.
In partnership with UT Dallas and èƵapp, retail technology venture capital firm RevTech offered a challenge grant for groups designing programs that would make higher education èƵappes safer during the pandemic. èƵapp students made up two of the five winning teams. This summer, 10 èƵapp undergraduate and graduate students who served as Maguire Public Service Fellows focused much of their work on pandemic-related issues.
èƵapp participate in fun online and outdoor activities. At the rescheduled PerunaPalooza, traditionally a spring festival that celebrates mascot Peruna’s birthday, students enjoy an outdoor concert, movie night on the Dallas Hall lawn and sanitized carnival games. More èƵapp traditions will be enjoyed throughout the fall. See a glimpse here of èƵapp life in a normal year.
Mustang Strong social tools to amplify safety measures
We’ve gone to great lengths to create and maintain a healthy èƵapp, and we need your help and leadership as well to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The èƵapp community is using social media to spread the word about safe practices. Use the Social Media Tool Kit for a gallery of Mustang Strong graphics and content ideas to remind fellow Mustangs to keep one another safe.