Recursos para nuestros estudiantes
UTRGV Information Sheet for Students
Classes will be online and on campus:
Thanks to the hard work of our faculty and academic leadership, we developed a variety of course modalities for Spring 2021 to provide you with options to create a schedule and environment best suited for your individual needs and preferences. As a result, approximately 95% of our courses will be taught online or in a hybrid format. While some courses do not have online options due to pedagogy, equipment needs and/or accreditation standards, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that the majority of courses can and will be offered online.
For those of you in courses that must be taught on campus, the university has also worked hard to make your on-campus experience safe. We have closely followed CDC guidelines to modify classrooms and facilities, and to develop and implement health and safety protocols meant to protect our campus community and the communities we serve.
Before you access any campus/off-campus facility:
If you need to go to campus for class or to access a particular service, we want you to do so, but only if you’re truly well. Before each time you step foot on campus or in any facility, make sure you ask yourself the COVID-19 Daily Self-Screening Questions:
- Have you been in close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period)?
- Do you have a measured temperature greater than 100.0°F, or feelings of fever or chills?
- Do you have a new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle pain or body aches, nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of taste or smell, or diarrhea?
If you answer “Yes” to any question or if you’ve recently tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test, DO NOT go to any UTRGV campus or facility. Instead, stay home.
- Communicate with your instructor/supervisor (If you are a student employee please communicate with both your instructor and supervisor.)
- Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. You will receive an immediate email response from the COVID-19 team.
- The COVID-19 Response Team is responsible for identifying and contacting others who may have been at risk.
- Students or employees may not return to UTRGV premises until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 response team.
If you develop symptoms or start to feel unwell while on campus, follow the same process:
- Leave campus/work immediately.
- Contact your instructor/supervisor so arrangements can be made with you to complete your academic requirements/work assignments.
- Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
- Wait for instructions from the COVID-19 Response Team.
Screening and Testing for COVID-19:
If you become symptomatic or know that you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive, click Screening and Testing for COVID-19 FAQ's and follow these steps.
Wear A Face Covering:
If you are healthy enough to come to campus, you must wear a face covering! You’ll need to wear it in all of the following places:
- hallways
- public spaces
- research labs
- teaching/computer labs
- libraries
- classrooms
- stairwells
- elevators
- common areas
- office spaces (when social distancing of 6 feet IS NOT possible)
All face coverings must cover both your mouth and nose and are also required in outdoor settings if safe social distancing is not possible.
Don’t Have a Face Covering? You may ask your instructor for a spare single-use face mask, or purchase a reusable/washable one at the nearest vending machine for a nominal cost.
If you see someone failing to practice proper hygiene and/or not complying with UTRGV’s face covering policy, please follow these Face Covering Protocol and tell them to do so or call the Toll Free Compliance Hotline: (877) 882-3999
Practice Social Distancing:
Whether you are walking across your department’s building or the parking lot, be sure to keep space between yourself and the people around you. Wearing a face covering while maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet will help keep you - and others - safe and healthy this semester.
Follow All Other Campus Protocols (As Necessary):
Some of our university’s campus services have implemented additional health and safety protocols, besides those being practiced university-wide. These protocols only apply to you if you’re attempting to access these services in person, on campus.
As a reminder, you can still access all student services remotely, online.
To view the most current updates on university services, Campus Services Page.
When you get to the classroom, make sure to:
- Wear your face covering at all times
- Clean your hands using the mounted hand sanitizer dispensers
- Find an appropriate seat by following the signage and proper physical distancing
- Use the provided disinfectant dispenser to wipe your area clean before and after class
Classroom Expectations:
We realize your concerns regarding the safety of classrooms and all shared materials and equipment during the pandemic and we are taking steps to mitigate risks of potential exposure. Please know that all classrooms undergo enhanced cleaning during evening hours, each day. In addition, disinfectant wipes will be available for each academic space to clean your personal area.
Events:
Prior to August 23rd
Non-essential, indoor and outdoor in-person events hosted by UTRGV continue to be cancelled through August 22nd. The Return to Campus Events/Gatherings Subcommittee continues to review and approve requests to have an in-person event on a case-by-case basis until then.
The In-person Event Review Form is required to request approval for an exception to host an in-person event prior to August 23rd.
- Occupancy: Event organizers can plan for an attendance of up to 75% of the venue capacity.
- Catering: If catering will be provided, it must be grab and go (pre-packaged) 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.
Effective August 23rd
Indoor and outdoor in-person events hosted by UTRGV will be allowed starting Monday, August 23rd.
- The In-person Event Review Form is NOT required for in-person events scheduled after August 23rd.
- Occupancy: The university will transition 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 COVID-19 institutional policies and protocols found on the new Committed to Your Safety. Your Success. Your Experience. resource page.
For questions, please contact the Return to Campus Events/Gatherings Committee at UniversityEvents@UTRGV.edu.
Panopto on how to handle this new online learning environment with quick guidelines for how to use things like email, Blackboard, OneDrive, Skype for Business, and Zoom
by Cyndy Lopez Guerrero & Tomas Guerrero
Internet Access Options
Community Hotspots
- McAllen: https://makethemostofmcallen.com/make-the-most-of-WiFi-hotspots/
- Edinburg: https://www.wifimap.io/3556-edinburg-free-WiFi/map
- Harlingen: https://www.wifimap.io/3350-harlingen-free-WiFi/map
- Brownsville: https://www.cob.us/1991/City-Wi-fi-Hotspots