Category: COVID-19
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Vax for cash
Alongside several policy changes for the upcoming semester, UTD will be implementing two COVID-related programs to ensure student safety. One of those programs might look familiar to students who lived on campus last semester: UTD has reinstated the return-to-campus testing policy, requiring all members of the campus community to be tested for COVID-19 within the…
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Housing modifies testing requirements for students arriving from abroad
Due to rising COVID-19 cases, students arriving from an international destination and moving into campus housing will be subject to more stringent entry procedures. University Housing released its protocol in late July for those arriving from abroad, with separate courses of action for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. All students are required to be tested…
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University encourages masking
In response to a spike in COVID-19 Delta variant cases, UTD is encouraging Comets to wear masks indoors and in large gatherings, regardless of vaccination status. The mask guidance applies to all University facilities on campus – including classrooms, labs, common areas and offices – and complies with CDC guidelines which say mask-wearing maximizes protection…
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COVID variant spreads from India
UT Southwestern researchers have identified several cases of the highly infectious COVID-19 variant from India in North Texas. Since the beginning of the pandemic, UT Southwestern has been conducting tests on COVID-19 specimens through whole-genome sequencing, which allows researchers to identify viral diseases and mutations that are found in the genetic material of a human…
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UTD Presidential Town Hall – 4.22.2020
Timestamps and corresponding questions/answers 00:00 – 3:50 – Introductions, opening remarks by President Benson 03:51 – 5:44 – How will credit/no credit and pass/fail grades appear on transcripts? Will they impact a student’s GPA? How might this impact graduate school admission? 05:45 – 7:18 – Since spring graduation ceremonies have been canceled, are there plans…
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SUAAB holds virtual events for rest of semester
Following UTD’s transition to online classes, the Student Union & Activities Advisory Board canceled all of their remaining in-person spring semester events. Responsible for various campus events, including live shows featuring musical artists and comedians on-campus, SUAAB is now hoping to bring the same experiences to the student body through digital means. Upon receiving…
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott aims to reopen state
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed three executive orders on April 17 in an effort to reopen the state amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first order, Abbott established the “Strike Force to Open Texas,” a team of medical experts, private and public leaders who will advise the governor on the safe reopening of Texas. Abbott…
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Local businesses face coronavirus pandemic head-on
How owners, managers are keeping their stores afloat With a statewide order mandating social distancing in Texas, local businesses are losing valuable foot traffic and income. Even with federal assistance in the form of payroll protection and loans, businesses are having to make tough decisions to make it through quarantine. Businesses, from restaurants to game…
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Shelter-at-home(less)
Why supporting homeless shelters is critical during quarantine While many of us are safe within our own homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic, these times have become especially difficult for those who do not have a place to shelter in. Throughout the country, homeless shelters have been hit hard by this unexpected disaster. Since COVID-19…
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Students leave on-campus housing, adjust to moving back home
How campus housing changed in wake of COVID-19 In mid-March, UTD began asking students living on campus to start the move-out process in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, those students say they miss dorm life and are adjusting to moving back home. Information technology and systems sophomore Eileen Sharmin moved out of University Commons…