In the last few months, and especially over the last few weeks, our nation has experienced much unrest. These deeply troubling threats to our democratic traditions challenge us to hold tight to our collective capacity for respectful discourse and the pursuit of peace.
As we embark on a new semester, we want to extend a warm welcome to all of you. For those of you who are new to UTSA, we are grateful that you have chosen to become part of our vibrant, growing community. For those who are returning, we want to encourage you to build on the hard work and determination you exhibited during the fall semester.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures presentation to the ITC Advisory Council and Friends in January 2021.
As we turn our attentions to the future, with plans for the summer term in place, we write today to provide an update about our planning for this coming fall.
A Vision for UTSA's Downtown Campus presentation to the Cappy's Breakfast group in February 2021.
About UTSA Overview presentation to the Senate Finance Committee Hearing in February 2021.
The last few weeks have been particularly eventful, to say the least. With the lingering impacts of February’s winter storm, the 87th Texas Legislative Session well underway, COVID vaccinations rolling out and spring break season now upon us, the semester is flying by!
As we have stated since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our students, staff and faculty is our very highest priority. As such, we will continue all campus COVID-19 protocols—including our face coverings requirement—after Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-34 about masking requirements and business openings takes effect on Wednesday, March 10.
About UTSA Overview presentation to the House Appropriations Article III Workgroup Hearing in March 2021.
UTSA's 87th Legislative Priorities and Riders presentation in March 2021.
I believe fully in the notion that universities have a responsibility to be accountable and as transparent as possible – especially when it comes to our efforts around preventing sexual assault and misconduct. Building on the update sent by Dean LT Robinson last semester, I am writing to share our latest efforts to promote a zero-tolerance environment for sexual violence.
A Vision for UTSA's Downtown Campus presentation to the San Antonio Rotary Club in April 2021.
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy announced today the appointment of Chief of Staff Carlos Martinez to the newly established position of Senior Vice President for Institutional Strategic Planning, Compliance Risk Management, and Office Operations & Chief of Staff.
Yesterday, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-36, which prohibits government entities from mandating face coverings. This executive order takes effect Friday, May 21, and UTSA will comply with the governor’s executive order for the summer session and going forward.
Now that the 87th Texas Legislative session has come to a close, I’m writing to provide an update on some of the major outcomes from the session for UTSA, particularly around the state budget passed via Senate Bill 1 (SB1) and recently signed by Governor Abbott.
As you know, we are in the midst of a surge in the COVID-19 Delta variant across much of our nation, including here in San Antonio.
March 2020 marked the beginning of a challenging and unprecedented chapter—for UTSA and for us all. Over the last year and a half, you have dedicated so much effort to ensure the Roadrunner experience for the benefit of all our students. Your many contributions and your attention to the health and safety of our campus community are the cornerstone of our continued success.
We have been very intentional about our trajectory as a university, especially around our deep commitment to become an exemplary institution for our current and future students, our faculty and staff, our alumni and our community.
Since the very beginning of the pandemic, we committed to put the health and safety of our entire campus community first. Over the last year and half, we have learned a lot about managing life under the pandemic and the importance of masking, personal hygiene, vaccinations, contact tracing and quarantining. Our approach to planning for the fall semester involved balancing an open campus with a mix of course and work modalities to optimize learning, teaching and research while keeping our community healthy.
The first day of the semester is always exciting. While we have some temporary adjustments in place for the beginning of our school year, I hope you are eager for a fresh start this semester and looking forward to the many traditional UTSA experiences we all know and love!
On August 9th I wrote to you about my intention to launch a task force to embark on a thoughtful, contextual examination of UTSA’s six-year-old tradition of using the Come and Take It phrase and flag as a rallying cry at home football games. I would like to follow up with you about this matter.
On August 11 we announced adjustments to the beginning of UTSA’s fall semester, shifting most face-to-face instruction to online delivery for the first three weeks. This was done primarily to manage the recent COVID-19 Delta variant surge here in San Antonio, balancing an open campus with a mix of course and work modalities to optimize learning, teaching and research while protecting the health of our community.
A UTSA Overview and Updates presentation to the UTSA Carlos Alvarez College of Business Advisory Council in October 2021.
We are so fortunate to have a large military-affiliated community at UTSA—over 1,500 students and 300 faculty/staff strong—and I am continually mindful of the sacrifices you have made on behalf of our country. But on this day, your day, I want you to know how honored I am to count you among our faculty and staff veterans at UTSA.
Over the last 20 months we have closely monitored the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the UTSA community, asking all of you to Do Your Part to help minimize the spread of the virus.
The University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Intercollegiate Athletics today launched Bold Champions: A New Era for UTSA Athletics, a $70 million capital campaign to transform San Antonio into a destination for the nation’s most competitive Division I student-athletes.
This year, our football team has given us much to celebrate. For the first time in our university’s history, our team earned national rankings and won the Conference USA Championship — tremendous accomplishments and historic markers for our Division I athletics program and university.
We are excited to share another historic moment for The University of Texas at San Antonio. University supporters Margie and Bill Klesse have committed a transformational $20 million gift to the College of Engineering and Integrated Design, creating new endowments for scholarships, opportunities for faculty and programs to promote student success.
As you know, Omicron—the latest COVID-19 variant—is currently spreading across the country and the first cases are now being reported in Texas. Based on the latest information, it is still too soon to tell how Omicron compares to other variants in terms of transmissibility and infectiousness.
It is with great pride and excitement that I share UTSA is now recognized as a Carnegie R1 university, the nation’s most prestigious research designation.
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant amplifies the need to ensure we continue to keep our Roadrunner community safe.
A UTSA Overview presentation to the Ibero American Consuls General delegation in December 2021.
