Previous Campus Emails
October 5, 2023
Dear Campus Community:
Due to ongoing power outages, UTRGV is ceasing operations and cancelling in-person classes in Edinburg for the rest of the day (Thursday, October 5, 2023). Operations and classes will resume as regularly scheduled in Brownsville and Harlingen.
Employees scheduled to work this evening in Edinburg must check in with their supervisors upon reporting for their shifts.
Stay Informed
UTRGV is working with the local utility company to restore power as soon as possible. Additional updates related to UTRGV operations will be distributed through these university-managed channels:
- Emergency Notification System
- Website
- Alert page
- Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts
October 5, 2023
Dear Campus Community:
We are aware of power outages in multiple buildings on the Edinburg campus and have dispatched the local utility supplier to assess the situation.
We will provide more information as it becomes available.
August 21, 2023
Dear Campus Community:
UTRGV officials are continuously monitoring a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico with an 80% chance of forming into either a tropical depression or tropical storm later today (Monday, August 21), according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters are predicting 1-3 inches of rainfall across the region through Wednesday, August 23, and wind gusts of 25-45 mph for Harlingen, Brownsville, and South Padre Island, which are expected to clear up by early afternoon on Tuesday, August 22. However, all UTRGV community members, including those in Laredo, are advised to take precautions as the system moves inland.
We will notify the campus community of any impact to UTRGV operations through these university-managed channels:
- Emergency Notification System
- Website
- Alert page
- Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts
For more information on this weather event, monitor your local media or National Weather Service webpage.
Sincerely,
The Office of Emergency Management & Incident Management Team
April 26, 2022
All UTRGV campuses will have a delayed opening of 10 a.m. Tuesday because of inclement weather and because many buildings on the Edinburg campus are currently without power.
For Students
All classes scheduled before 10 a.m. Tuesday (including those conducted online) are canceled for all UTRGV campuses. All classes scheduled for 10 a.m. and later Tuesday will continue as normal for all UTRGV campuses.
Transportation services from all campuses will not be available for students until 9 a.m.
For Employees
On-campus operations will begin at 10 a.m. for all campuses.
Please avoid accessing all Edinburg campus facilities until 10 a.m. Brownsville campus buildings are currently accessible but classes and campus operations will not begin until 10 a.m.
Employees who can work remotely should do so during regular business hours.
Employees who cannot work remotely and must be on campus to perform their job duties should report to work at 10 a.m. These employees should enter two hours of emergency leave on their timesheet for April 26, 2022.
Please contact your supervisor for more information related to your specific work schedule.
UT Health RGV
Student and Employee Health Clinics located on our campuses will not open until 10 a.m.
All other UT Health RGV clinics throughout the Rio Grande Valley will operate under normal business hours.
What’s next?
Power is expected to be restored over the next few hours. We will continue to provide our university community updates through our emergency alert system, email communications, and social media.
UTRGV Police Statement for Tuesday, March 8th
Mar 8, 2022
The UTRGV Police Department (UTRGV PD) was notified by the Hidalgo County Sherriff’s Office on February 21, 2022, that a university employee allegedly had made threats involving our campus community.
UTRGV PD has been investigating this matter, and arrested the individual Friday (March 4) on charges of terroristic threat. The individual was released on bond Saturday (March 5). The individual is currently on investigative leave as the university conducts an administrative review of the incident. During this time, the individual is not authorized to be on UTRGV campuses or locations.
The threat was addressed when it first arose. Based on information gathered by UTRGV PD there is no immediate threat to the campus community at this time. UTRGV PD's investigation of this matter continues.
As always, the safety of our university community is our primary concern. If you see any suspicious activity or person, immediately contact the UTRGV Police Department at 956-882-4911. In case of an emergency dial 9-1-1.
Cancelations & Delays for Friday, January 21
Jan 20, 2022
Dear UTRGV Community,
Due to inclement winter weather forecasted by the National Weather Service (NWS), all UTRGV campus and off-campus facilities will delay opening until 10 AM tomorrow (Friday, January 21).
Despite this delay, all classes currently being conducted remotely will take place at their previously scheduled time. However, all classes currently meeting in-person and scheduled before 10 AM will be canceled.
All students and employees should exercise caution when traveling on icy or slick roads. If you have issues accessing campus for work or academic responsibilities, please communicate with your professor and/or supervisor.
COVID-19 Testing Sites
All drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Friday, January 21.
If you have an appointment for COVID-19 testing with UT Health RGV, you will be contacted by phone, email, and/or text message to reschedule. COVID-19 drive-thru testing will resume in Edinburg and Harlingen on Monday, January 24.
UT Health RGV Clinics
All UT Health RGV clinical locations will open at 10 AM on Friday, January 21.
Patients with appointments before 10 AM tomorrow will be contacted by phone, email, and/or text message to reschedule.
Stay Informed
University officials will continuously monitor weather conditions and share any changes to operations schedules through email, the emergency notification system, on the UTRGV homepage, the UTRGV Alert page, and UTRGV’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
For the latest updates regarding Vaquero Express and VOLT shuttle schedules, please refer to UTRGV Parking and Transportation Services’ Facebook and Twitter pages.
WEATHER UPDATE
Sep 12, 2021
Dear Campus Community:
UTRGV officials are continuously monitoring tropical storm Nicholas currently in the Bay of Campeche.
The current forecast track has tropical storm Nicholas passing east of South Padre Island as it moves North-Northwest at 13 mph along the Texas coast. Regardless, tropical storm force winds (39 mph or greater) and heavy rains (4“to 6”) are likely along our coastal counties, including Cameron and Willacy as early as Monday morning.
While all UTRGV and UT Health RGV operations are currently expected to continue as scheduled, University officials are monitoring weather conditions and will share any updates to campus impacts, including potential campus closures, through UTRGV’s:
- Emergency Notification System
- Homepage
- Alert page
- Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts
For more information on this weather event, monitor your local media or National Weather Service (NWS) webpage.
Sincerely,
The Office of Emergency Preparedness & Incident Management Team
The parking lots that were blocked off as a precautionary measure against potential flooding are now reopened and available for use.
July 09, 2021
All power has been restored at the Brownsville Campus and street flooding has receded.
July 09, 2021
Special attention Brownsville Campus Life and Health Science building (LHS) is currently without power
Parking lot B2 is also currently without power
Some street flooding in the streets surrounding the Brownsville campus. Use Caution.
Dear Campus Community:
As a precautionary measure against potential flooding, the following parking lots will be closed starting Wednesday, July 7, until further notice:
E16 (by HPEI, north side of lot up to Child Development Center)
E14 (north of New Computer Center)
E6 (south side of Performing Arts Center)
No lots are closed at the moment.
Please monitor the weather situation closely and avoid driving into flooded areas. Follow us on Twitter @UTRGV_PTS for immediate updates.
Thank you,
Parking and Transportation Services Team
June 01, 2021
UTRGV Edinburg Campus Potential Parking Lot Flooding in lots: E2, E3, E6, E16 and E19. Avoid these parking lots due to potential flooding.
May 19, 2021
UTRGV Edinburg Campus Potential Parking Lot Flooding in lots: E2, E3, E6, E16 and E19. Please move yours cars to avoid potential flooding.
Access To Campus
As of 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19
Campus is closed for Friday, Feb. 19, but employees who have access to their office/workspace may access them.
Update/changes to the status of campus buildings and Internet access will be provided on this webpage daily!
If accessing our Brownsville, Edinburg or Harlingen campus buildings today or through the weekend, please be aware that:
- All campus buildings currently have electricity. However, if the state of Texas is forced to reactivate rolling blackouts, intermittent power outages in our buildings could occur.
- All campus buildings currently have running water.
- All campus buildings currently have full access to Internet, Wi-Fi and our campus network, except for those listed below (Please note that, if a building loses electricity, all Internet and Wi-Fi access will be lost):
- International Trade & Technology (EITTB)
- Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship (ECOBE)
- Health & Physical Education Complex Fieldhouse (HPE1)
- All campus buildings currently have heat, except for the following:
- Edinburg Academic Services Building (EACSB)
- Edinburg College of Business/Entrepreneurship (ECOBE)
- Edinburg Health & Physical Ed I Complex (EHPEI)
- If you access campus and encounter any issues, please contact the following:
- For technical issues, including Internet and Wi-Fi:
- Information Technology at 956-882-2020 (Brownsville) or 956-665-2020 (Edinburg); or access the IT Support Center.
- For technical issues, including Internet and Wi-Fi:
- For building issues:
- Brownsville Physical Plant at 956-882-5900 (during the workday) or 956-882-4911 (after hours/weekends)
- Edinburg Physical Plant-Central Scheduling at 956-665-2748 (during the workday), or Edinburg Cooling Plant at 956-665-2796 (after hours/weekends)
- If connected to the campus network, you may also fill out this service request form: https://facilities-isd.utrgv.edu/
Updated: Thursday, 02/18/21
Dear UTRGV Community:
Due to the continued loss of electricity, running water and/or Internet access for many across the region, UTRGV will remain closed and all classes (on campus and online) will be cancelled Friday, Feb. 19.
Please be advised that the City of Edinburg’s “Boil Water Advisory” is still in effect. Please click here for more information.
Students
All classes (on campus and online) are cancelled for Friday, Feb. 19, and are scheduled to resume Monday, Feb. 22.
When UTRGV reopens and classes resume, students who continue to experience power outages/Internet connectivity issues should contact their faculty members and apprise them of their situation as soon as possible. Faculty members will work with those students to ensure the continuity of their coursework.
Faculty and Staff
All campus and off-campus locations will remain closed Friday, Feb. 19, and are scheduled to reopen Monday, Feb. 22. Faculty, staff and student employees who are able to work remotely may do so in consultation with their supervisor.
Employees who want to access their office/work space may do so, as all Brownsville, Edinburg and Harlingen campus buildings had electricity as of Thursday morning. Please be advised that campus buildings still may experience intermittent power outages. In addition, water is also running in each building but the water pressure may be low.
Please see above for the latest information on the status of campus buildings.
When UTRGV reopens, faculty and staff who continue to experience power outages/Internet connectivity issues should contact their department chairs/supervisors and apprise them of their situation. If you are unable to work due to issues caused by inclement winter weather, please record it on your timecard as Emergency Leave Due to Inclement Weather. If you have any questions, please contact hr@utrgv.edu.
UT Health RGV Clinics and COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines Sites
All UT Health RGV clinics and COVID-19 Testing sites will remain closed Thursday, Feb. 18.
All UT Health RGV clinics, with the exception of the Primary Care Clinic at Laguna Vista, will reopen Friday, Feb. 19. For the latest information on clinic openings/closures, visit facebook.com/uthealthrgv.
All COVID-19 Testing sites will remain closed Friday.
For vaccinations, UT Health RGV will be open Friday for first vaccination doses for pre-scheduled appointments in Harlingen. If you have an appointment, please arrive at your appointment time. We do not have any additional appointments available at this time.
Updated: Wednesday, 02/17/21
Dear UTRGV Community:
Due to the continued loss of electricity, water and/or Internet access for many across the region, UTRGV will remain closed and cancel all classes(on-campus and online) will be cancelled Thursday, Feb. 18.
Students
All classes (on campus and online) are cancelled for Thursday, Feb. 18.
When UTRGV reopens and classes resume, students who continue to experience power outages/Internet connectivity issues should contact their faculty members and apprise them of their situation as soon as possible. Faculty members will work with those students to ensure the continuity of their coursework.
Faculty and Staff
All campus and off-campus locations will remain closed Thursday, Feb. 18. For those wanting to access their office/work space, please be advised that many UTRGV buildings are without power or are experiencing intermittent power outages. We are currently compiling a list of buildings that have no power and will post and continuously update the list on utrgv.edu/alert later today.
When UTRGV reopens, faculty and staff who continue to experience power outages/Internet connectivity issues should contact their department chairs/supervisors and apprise them of their situation. If you are unable to work due to issues caused by inclement winter weather, please record it on your timecard as Emergency Leave Due to Inclement Weather. If you have any questions, please contact hr@utrgv.edu.
UT Health RGV Clinics and COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines Sites
All UT Health RGV clinics and COVID-19 Testing sites will remain closed Thursday, Feb. 18.
For vaccinations, UT Health RGV will be closed for first vaccination doses and will only be open to administer second doses. Second doses will now be administered at the UTRGV Biomedical Research Building at 5300 N. L Street, McAllen, Texas, to only those patients who received their first dose of Pfizer from UT Health RGV. If you had previously been scheduled by UT Health RGV to receive a second dose, Thursday, Feb. 18, please report to the new address above at your scheduled appointment time.
All other UT Health RGV patients affected by these closures will be contacted by phone, email and/or text message to reschedule appointments.
Stay informed
All employees and students should plan for a return to normal campus/remote operations Friday, February 19, unless otherwise notified.
Updated: Tuesday, 02/16/21
Dear UTRGV Community:
Due to continued power outages and loss of water throughout the region caused by the winter storm, UTRGV will be closed and cancel all classes (on-campus and online) Tuesday, Feb. 16th. and Wednesday, Feb. 17th.
While temperatures are expected to rise to the low 60s on Wednesday, many Rio Grande Valley residents could still be without electricity and running water because of the winter storm affecting the entire state of Texas.
Please be advised that the City of Edinburg’s “Boil Water Advisory” is still in effect. Please click here for more information and be on the lookout for similar advisories being issued in your current place of residence.
Students
All classes (on-campus and online) are canceled for Tuesday, Feb 16th and Wednesday, Feb. 17, and will resume Thursday, Feb. 18, unless otherwise notified.
Students who continue to experience power outages/Internet connectivity issues over the next few days should contact their faculty members and apprise them of their situation as soon as possible. Faculty members will work with those students to ensure the continuity of their coursework.
Faculty and Staff
All campus and off-campus locations are closed and may not be accessed by faculty and staff on Tuesday, Feb. 16 and on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Only UTRGV employees designated as essential by their supervisor should access the workplace. If you are unsure of your essential status, please contact your supervisor.
Faculty and staff who continue to experience power outages/Internet connectivity issues over the next few days should contact their department chairs/supervisors and apprise them of their situation. If you are unable to work due to issues caused by inclement winter weather, please record it on your timecard as Emergency Leave Due to Inclement Weather. If you have any questions, please contact hr@utrgv.edu.
UT Health RGV Clinics and COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines Sites
All UT Health RGV clinics and COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites will also be closed Tuesday, Feb. 16, and Wednesday, Feb. 17.
If you have an appointment with UT Health RGV that is affected by the closure, you will be contacted by phone, email, and/or text message to reschedule.
Stay informed
All employees and students should plan for a return to normal campus/remote operations Thursday, February 18, unless otherwise notified.
University officials will continue to monitor weather conditions. A message regarding Tuesday’s classes and operations will be sent later today. All updates will be shared through email, the emergency notification system, on the UTRGV homepage, and on’s UTRGVFacebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
Updated:02/15/21
Dear UTRGV Community:
Due to widespread power outages across the Rio Grande Valley caused by the winter storm, UTRGV will CANCEL ALL CLASSES — on campus and online — for Monday, Feb. 15.
Students who continue to experience power outages in subsequent days should contact their faculty members and apprise them of their situation as soon as possible. Faculty members will work with those students to ensure the continuity of their coursework.
Faculty and employees affected by power outages Monday and in subsequent days should contact their department chairs/supervisors and apprise them of their situation. If you are unable to work today, please record it on your timecard as Emergency Leave Due to Inclement Weather. If you have any questions, please contact hr@utrgv.edu.
Only UTRGV employees designated as essential by their supervisor should access the workplace. If you are unsure of your essential status, please contact your department chair/supervisor.
University officials will continue to monitor weather conditions. A message regarding Tuesday’s classes and operations will be sent later today. All updates will be shared through email, the emergency notification system, on the UTRGV homepage, and on’s UTRGVFacebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
Updated:02/14/21
Due to inclement winter weather forecasted by the National Weather Service, UTRGV campus and off-campus locations will be closed and all university operations will be conducted remotely on Monday, February 15.
Only UTRGV employees designated as essential by their supervisor should access the workplace. If you are unsure of your essential status, please contact your supervisor.
All classes and activities will be conducted remotely. We advise all students to stay in close contact with faculty members for the latest updates regarding their classes.
UT Health RGV Clinics/Testing and Vaccination Sites
UT Health RGV clinics will delay opening until noon Monday, February 15.
UT Health RGV COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites will be closed all day Monday and will not reopen until noon Tuesday, February 16.
If you have an appointment with UT Health RGV that is affected by these operational changes, you will be contacted by phone, email, and/or text message to reschedule.
Stay Informed
All employees and students should plan for a return to normal campus/remote operations Tuesday, February 16, unless otherwise notified. If you are unable to return on Tuesday due to the impact of Monday’s inclement weather, please notify your supervisor, department chair, or faculty member(s).
University officials will continue to monitor weather conditions, and any change to the operations schedule will be shared through email, the emergency notification system, on the UTRGV homepage, and on’s UTRGVFacebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
July 28, 2020
Dear UTRGV community,
Thank you for your patience and cooperation the past few days as the university responded to the impact Hurricane Hanna had on our campus/off-campus facilities.
While UTRGV continues to assess facilities, a majority of our campus/off-campus facilities have been cleared to be accessed by students, faculty, staff and visitors beginning Wednesday, July 29.
Please note that the following Edinburg facilities will remain inaccessible until further notice:
- Baseball stadium
- Lamar Building
- EHSRM Building
- Student Union Auditorium
- Library Auditorium (Media Theater)
- Health Affairs West Building Auditoriums (3)
- CESS Building
- Student Health Center
- Visual Arts Building (No power)
- EUNFS Building – Border Health Offices
- Soccer Field Portable Building #6
Employees who were working on campus before Hurricane Hanna may return to on-campus operations. Employees who have been working remotely may continue remote operations.
Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions or specific issues with being able to return to on-campus or remote operations.
Additional Guidance from Human Resources
Supervisors are reminded that they must provide a list of their employees who actually worked on Monday, July 27, instead of receiving Emergency Leave.
Also, any requests for additional Emergency Leave should come from the supervisor and be in writing to Leave@utrgv.edu and should include employee name, ID #, supervisor name, department and reason for extended emergency leave.
July 27, 2020
Dear UTRGV community,
UTRGV will reopen Tuesday, July 28, but campus/off-campus facilities will remain inaccessible to the university community and visitors due to the impact of Hurricane Hanna.
Only employees designated as essential by their supervisors to assist the university in responding to Hurricane Hanna’s impact are allowed to access campus/off-campus facilities on Tuesday.
Please note the university will continue to operate and provide services remotely, including the delivery of classes for Summer Session II. All students and employees should return to normal remote operations Tuesday.
In addition, UT Health RGV clinical operations and testing sites will return to normal operations Tuesday, and UT Health RGV employees should report to work as usual.
Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions regarding your essential status or if you have specific issues with being able to return to remote operations Tuesday.
July 26, 2020
Dear UTRGV Employees,
Earlier, a notice was issued that UTRGV campuses and UT Health RGV clinical locations will be closed on Monday, July 27, due to Hurricane Hanna.
Employees designated as essential by their supervisors to assist the university respond to the impact associated with Hurricane Hanna are expected to work Monday, July 27.
Employees who are working remotely should not plan to work on Monday, July 27. Working remotely requires technical connectivity. Due to the storm, many internet providers are experiencing service disruption.
Employees should plan for a return to normal Campus/Remote operations Tuesday, July 28 unless otherwise notified.
Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions regarding your essential status or if you have specific issues with being able to return to normal operations on Tuesday.
Sunday July 26, 2020 - UTRGV closed Monday due to conditions related to Hurricane Hanna