Protocols: Protect Yourself and Respect Others
As a Texas public institution, UTRGV cannot require you to get vaccinated against COVID-19, nor can the university require you to wear a face covering on campus. Because of these policies, UTRGV urges all campus community members to consider the consequences of each decision we face and how they may affect ourselves, our colleagues, students, and loved ones. Doing so is especially important as new variants of the virus continue to emerge.
Below are some proven and effective ways to mitigate your risk of contracting COVID-19:
Campus
DAILY SELF SCREENING
Each day, prior to visiting any UTRGV campus/off-campus facilities, all University students and employees must review the current version of the COVID-19 Daily Self Screening questions regarding COVID-19 related symptoms.
Do not come to campus if you are exhibiting COVID related symptoms. Instead, stay home, notify your instructor or supervisor, and complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
PRELIMINARY COVID-19 SCREENING FORM
This form is for students and employees to report any symptoms, confirmed positive tests or interaction with someone who has tested positive, to the UTRGV COVID-19 Response Team.
GET VACCINATED
Access your vaccine profile to update your vaccination status or schedule a vaccine in advance. You can also simply walk into our student and/or employee health clinics in Brownsville, Edinburg or Harlingen to receive the vaccine. If you have not received your 2nd dose, this is your reminder!
WEAR A FACE COVERING
Regardless of vaccination status, the use of face coverings in university buildings are strongly encouraged but cannot be required.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Social distancing is optional for fully vaccinated individuals, and highly recommended for individuals who are not fully vaccinated or who have weakened immune systems. The university will transition all space types to 100% occupancy using a phased approach for the Fall semester.
Travel
The CDC recommends, that because travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 , that you delay travel until you are fully vaccinated.
Please follow CDC’s travel recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Business Travel
Domestic Travel
UTRGV, following CDC guidelines, business related travel within the state of Texas is allowable for those vaccinated or unvaccinated and outside the state of Texas for those fully vaccinated (14 calendar days since your last vaccine dose).
International Travel
UTRGV is still not allowing international business travel.
For UTRGV owned/leased/rented passenger vehicles and trucks:
- No more than two travelers are allowed per vehicle for local travel of a duration of 15 minutes or less. Trips of more than 15 minutes should only have one traveler per vehicle.
- If all passengers in the vehicle are fully vaccinated (14 calendar days since your last vaccine dose), two or more travelers may now carpool no matter the duration of the trip.
Failure to follow the CDC guidelines when engaging in domestic business travel may lead to disciplinary action. Proof of vaccination is currently not required.
Personal Travel
Domestic Travel
Personal travel inside and outside Texas does not require the completion of the travel form. Travel to the United States’ five permanently inhabited territories (Puerto Rico, U.S., Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa) is considered Domestic Travel. Prior to traveling, please check to see if there are any State travel restrictions.
International Travel
Individuals conducting personal travel outside the United States are no longer required to complete and submit the travel self-reporting form.
Please follow CDC’s travel recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
If an employee chooses to travel internationally and is required to self-isolate upon return to the US, per CDC guidelines, the employee will need to utilize Vacation Leave during this isolation period, if not approved to work remotely.
Prior to returning to campus, please complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form, which is managed by the UTRGV COVID-19 Response Team (CRT) for case management, testing, and scheduling.
The CRT will then formally release you to campus after the quarantine period has elapsed and the testing has been completed and the results reviewed per the CDC guidelines.
Living in or commuting from border cities?
Members of the UTRGV community who reside or must make frequent trips to Mexico border cities abutting the Rio Grande Valley Counties are not required to complete the travel form. Personal International Travel guidance should be followed for travel beyond the border cities.
Questions?
For any questions regarding University related travel, please contact Travel Services Office at travel@utrgv.edu, (956) 665-2161, 665-2612, 882-3822.
Our main concern continues to be the health, safety, and security of our UTRGV community. We appreciate your patience and cooperation while we work through this unprecedented situation.
Events
Indoor and outdoor in-person events hosted by UTRGV are allowed.
- The In-person Event Review Form is NOT required for in-person events scheduled after August 23rd.
- Occupancy: The university has transitioned all space types to 100% occupancy for the Fall semester.
- Catering: If catering will be provided, it must be grab and go (pre-packaged) until further notice, in one of the following manners:
- Attendees can pick-up their meal and leave the venue
- Individuals who are vaccinated may opt to eat alongside with others who are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals should plan to practice social distancing protocols.
- The event organizers can plan for a meal break and regroup after the meal.
At all times, a department hosting an in-person event is responsible for:
- Being prepared to transition to virtual, postpone, or cancel the in-person event if the threat of COVID-19 community spread increases.
- Promoting compliance with our Campus Protocols found on the UTRGV Welcome Back website.
For questions, please contact the Return to Campus Events/Gatherings Committee at UniversityEvents@UTRGV.edu.