Dear UT Community,

It was exactly one year ago this week that COVID-19 forced The University of Texas to pivot into new teaching and research modalities. Obviously, we’re not through with the pandemic yet. Nevertheless, it’s time for us to begin planning our transition to what we hope will be a near normal fall. We all have questions about what near normal really means, and some of the recent ones to come across my desk have included:

  • Will classes be in person this fall?
  • Will staff members be expected to work on campus?
  • Will I be able to get vaccinated through the university? 
  • Will accommodations be made for medically vulnerable students, staff and faculty?
  • Which aspects of remote learning and working will be retained?
  • Will masks and social distancing be mandated in the same ways?
  • What will our travel policies be?
  • Will campus events, including athletics and performing arts events, be back on the schedule?  

Please know that when it comes to these questions and others like them, our leadership team is working tirelessly to develop comprehensive and detailed plans in coordination with our public health experts. In general, we expect the fall 2021 semester to look more like the fall 2019 semester than the fall 2020 semester. With that in mind, I want to encourage our campus community to plan on:

  • Pre-registering for a vaccination now, if you haven’t already done so, through the university’s vaccine distribution by filling out the UT COVID-19 Vaccine Form.
  • Being in Austin and on campus this fall for teaching and research, if you are a student or faculty member. 
  • The likelihood of coming to campus regularly, if you are a staff member.
  • Some aspects of hybrid learning and remote work remaining in place—with an approach characterized by flexibility, creativity, innovation and an open mind.
  • A coordinated and well-communicated transition from new normal to near normal.

Finally, as we move forward with fall semester planning, there is one thing that will absolutely not change: our commitment to public health best practices through collective safety, responsibility and solidarity. From testing and contact tracing to in-house epidemiological modelling and public health communications, we’re going to continue to leverage our capabilities and expertise to Protect Texas Together. The same guiding principles that have enabled us to combat COVID-19 while maintaining critical research and teaching functions will absolutely remain in place.

For most of us, we’re simply desperate to get back to the residential college experience we know and love. Something special happens when we research, debate, discuss, teach and connect with one another in person. At the same time, fall semester planning presents many questions, and this can be a point of stress. As our plans for the fall develop into concrete policies and procedures, I appreciate your patience and understanding. Rest assured, we’ll exit the pandemic with the same talents, passion, expertise, thoughtfulness and commitment to safety with which we’re weathering it.

Hook ‘em,

Jay Hartzell
President