Message from the President
March 20, 2020
Dear Campus Community:
Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a series of Executive Orders related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) preparedness and mitigation for the state of Texas.
Among his direct orders, Governor Abbott directed government entities, including universities, to:
- remain open;
- ask for essential employees to report to their place of work;
- and, where feasible, allow and encourage employees to work from home or other remote sites.
Telecommuting Plan for Employees
To adhere to these new directives, UTRGV is modifying its business continuity plans to help ensure the health and safety of our campus community while also ensuring that we continue to provide high quality, essential services to our students and the Rio Grande Valley community. While offices remain open, we are transitioning to a telecommuting workforce to the extent possible, shifting some of our staff and faculty from their current on-campus workplaces to temporarily working from home. Services will still be available, although many may be online, by phone, and through other technologies to prevent students from needing to come to campus.
It’s important to reiterate that, despite these new directives, UTRGV REMAINS OPEN. All courses are being offered online beginning Monday, March 23, through the end of the spring semester. All offices must continue to serve our students’ needs for this semester and upcoming semesters. Our work does not change; where and how we do it, does change.
In the meantime, every division, department and office at UTRGV is diligently working to develop continuity plans that will identify employees, including student employees, who are authorized to telecommute. All plans will go into effect by midnight Friday (March 20) — the time and date in which the Executive Orders go into effect — so they can be implemented by Monday.
Preparing for Remote Work
Supervisors and employees may refer to UTRGV’s Telecommuting guidelines for further guidance.
Additionally, our Information Technology (IT) department has provided a continuity resource webpage to help provide a smooth telecommuting transition. Please be aware that, during this transition, IT response may be delayed because of increased workload.
Thank you again for your patience and cooperation as we work through this unprecedented and fluid situation.
Please regularly check your email and visit our coronavirus updates and resources webpage, which also includes Frequently Asked Questions, for the latest information.
If you have questions please email them to coronavirus@utrgv.edu.
Sincerely,
Guy Bailey
President