By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – As part of its ongoing commitment to the safety and success of its campus community, UTRGV once again is providing students several course-delivery options this fall semester. 

When UTRGV starts the new semester on Monday, Aug. 23: 

• 52 percent of its courses will be offered in the traditional (face-to-face) format. 
• 14 percent will be offered in hybrid (mix of online and face-to-face) format. 
• 31 percent will be offered completely online. 
• And 3 percent will be offered by interactive video. 

 

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the course offerings provide a good balance for students who are ready to come back to campus as well as for those who prefer online. 

“This approach will allow us to remain safe and to ensure that we’re putting students in a position to successfully continue their academic journeys,” Bailey said. “We hope this semester helps move the university a step closer to safely returning to normalcy.” 

Bailey said the university monitors the pandemic daily and seeks guidance from the UTRGV School of Medicine, as well as other local, state and federal medical officials. Based on that medical guidance, UTRGV will safely move forward with its fall semester plan. The university also is prepared to alter this plan if the medical guidance suggests doing so. 

Additionally, based on the current spike of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, UTRGV is encouraging flexibility in its traditional and hybrid course offerings. Courses listed in the traditional (face-to-face) modality may elect to deliver content using both face-to-face and online. 

Dr. Janna Arney, UTRGV deputy president and interim provost, said providing this option will help the university reduce its on-campus population, as we continue to monitor this current wave in COVID-19 cases. 

“That said, we are strongly encouraging our students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated and to wear a face covering to help ensure their safety this fall,” Arney said. 

 

HIGH VACCINATION RATES  

The Rio Grande Valley continues to lead the way in vaccinations and has seen substantial increases in fully vaccinated individuals.  

The UTRGV campus community also is experiencing high vaccination rates. The latest figures as of Thursday, Aug. 19, follow: 

 

• Of the 5,174 current employees, 3,401 have completed the UTRGV Vaccine Portal. Of those 3,401, 90 percent (3,062) have self-reported that they are vaccinated.  
• Of the 32,533 currently enrolled students, 24,579 have completed the portal. Of those 24,579, 83 percent (20,464) have self-reported that they are vaccinated. 

 

Students, faculty and staff who want the vaccine or who want to report their vaccine status, may do so by accessing the UTRGV Vaccine Portal.