NOW HAPPENING: On a campus near you
For what it lacks in days, February makes up in events.
And while we are grateful to have our students, faculty, and staff back on campus during this special time of year, we all must continue to do our part to minimize the impact Omicron and other variants have on our lives going forward.
Vaccine Progress & Booster Incentives
Fortunately, many of us have taken advantage of the vaccine incentive programs currently offered to active students and employees. As of this morning, more than 6,500 students and 800 employees have verified their booster status in the Vaccine Portal.
While these numbers are encouraging, they are also a reminder that you should get a third dose or booster if you are eligible or soon to be so.
To qualify for this *incentive, enrolled students and active employees must:
- Receive a COVID-19 booster or third dose by April 8, 2022,
- Declare their booster status in the UTRGV Vaccine Portal, and
- Upload an image of their updated vaccine card to their portal profile.
Easy, right? And if that’s not reason enough to get your shot, being vaccinated against COVID-19 dramatically lowers your likelihood of infection, severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Stay safe and healthy over the months ahead by getting vaccinated or boosted as soon as possible.
*Qualifying students will receive $100; Qualifying employees may choose between $100 (subject to payroll tax) or a UTRGV Swag Pack ($100 value).
REMINDER: COVID-19 Testing
Despite the rapid decline in COVID-19 cases across Texas, all UTRGV students and employees should continue reviewing the Daily Self-Screening questions before leaving their homes and especially before coming to campus. As a reminder, if you answer "Yes" to any of these questions, please stay home and complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
Filling out that form is the first step toward determining if you need to get tested. You should complete the form if you:
- Experience symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, or shortness of breath,
- Tested positive for COVID-19, or
- Were in close contact with someone who tested positive.
You may recall that UTRGV has a COVID Response Team, a group entirely dedicated to managing all COVID-19 cases occurring within the campus community. This team works for you and will expedite your testing process should your screening determine such a need. Utilizing this invaluable resource is not only to your benefit — it significantly shapes the overall view of our community’s health and safety while helping us make informed decisions in everyone’s best interest.
Upcoming Campus Events
Next week (February 13-19), the UTRGV community will come together in celebration of Homecoming. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are gearing up to showcase their spirit at various events throughout the week, demonstrating the legacy, traditions, and values of Vaquero Nation.
February is Black History Month, and we are observing, honoring, and appreciating African American culture throughout the month with free events for all to enjoy. The festivities are kicking off this evening at 5 PM on both campuses with FREE food and a Cultural Chat. For details about this and other Black History Month events, visit VLink.
It’s going to be a busy month. Find everything you need to make it a safe and successful one on our Welcome Back website.