Health & Shared Responsibility
The wellbeing of our community is vitally important, and our intent is to provide a learning, living and working environment that provides heightened protection of all Roadrunners. The public health safety measures described below are based on direction from UTSA’s Public Health Task Force, along with guidance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, UT System, and aligned with city, state & federal health directives.
Measures may be adjusted as new information becomes available.
Birds Up, Sleeves Up: Get Vaccinated
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your friends from COVID-19 and its variants. Vaccines are safe, effective, and available to all Roadrunners.
Face coverings at UTSA
Face coverings/masks are recommended in indoor public and common spaces, especially for those individuals who are high risk and/or not vaccinated. More information about campus face coverings>>
Testing available on campus
UTSA partners with Livingston Med Lab to offer testing to all students, faculty and staff, regardless of whether they are symptomatic. Results are typically received within 24 hours. Learn about testing on campus>>
Contact tracing in place
Those who have symptoms of COVID-19 or who have encountered someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 are being identified and tracked. UTSA is also tracking confirmed cases to help minimize the spread of the disease as much as possible.
Self-monitor your health
UTSA offers a health daily self-assessment tool, accessible from both the UTSA and LiveSafe mobile apps. Everyone is highly encouraged to conduct daily health assessments, wash hands frequently and practice good personal hygiene.
Campus Cleaning & Disinfection
Hand sanitizer and wipes remain available across campus, and departments can continue to request care kits with PPE supplies. Facilities is working to maximize airflow and improve filtration in campus buildings, and classrooms and lecture halls will be sanitized throughout the semester. In the John Peace Library, restroom renovations are in progress to add touchless faucets and other upgrades. Additional improvements are underway throughout campus to provide an enhanced experience, including classroom renovations, new corridor furniture and more.
Mental Health and Counseling
UTSA offers a variety of professional counseling and mental health resources to help students, faculty, and staff that need extra support.
STUDENTS
Counseling and Mental Health Services has multiple ways to access services, including individual, group, and referral options, as well as population-specific resources. Call 210-458-4140 or email counseling.services@utsa.edu.
STUDENTS
The Center for Collegiate Recovery offers weekly support meetings. Check out events like All Recovery, SMART Recovery, and Alcoholics Anonymous. Get more details for @UTSARecovery on Instagram or Twitter or via RowdyLink.
STUDENTS
The Therapy Assistance Online program provides strategies for coping using a self-guided approach. You can log in to the platform with your UTSA email credentials.
FACULTY/STAFF
The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program, free for you and your dependents, offers a variety of confidential counseling, referral and consultation services. Call 866-327-2400, use the iConnectYou app, or log on to services at Deer Oaks online (username: utsa, password: utsa).
FACULTY/STAFF
The Behavioral Intervention Team responds to reports of concerning behavior from Roadrunners. Visit the Behavioral Concerns Assistance page to submit a report. Both the EOS/Title IX Office and Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS) are available if you have questions before submitting a report. To reach SCCS email SCCS@utsa.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can UTSA mandate vaccines (especially after the FDA approves them) and masking?
No. At this time, UTSA cannot mandate these safety measures based on Governor Abbott’s executive order GA-38.
PermalinkWhat are UTSA’s plans if there is another variant and surge later in the Fall semester?
The Public Health Task Force along with senior leadership are monitoring various sources and disease modeling daily. They will determine next steps should the county's risk level shifts to a critical level.
PermalinkIs there consideration of going online around Thanksgiving to proactively prevent spread, since people are more likely to travel for the holidays?
The Public Health Task Force along with senior leadership are monitoring various sources and disease modeling daily. We will make that determination closer to the holidays with enough lead time for mitigation plans.
PermalinkWhat can I do if my roommate is unvaccinated?
Vaccination is the best method of protection. UTSA Housing has isolation and quarantine protocols in place to address resident safety. In addition, there is limited visitation during the three-week period to eliminate any non-residents from visiting housing communities.
PermalinkWill students be able to receive booster shots at the campus clinics?
Yes. Once COVID-19 booster vaccinations are approved for use by the general population on September 20, they will be available at our on-campus clinics, which are held in collaboration with our local vaccination partners. Boosters will be administered in accordance with CDC eligibility guidelines. These guidelines recommend a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine starting eight months after the date an individual received the second dose of their initial COVID-19 vaccine series.
PermalinkHow will the mandatory testing program work?
UTSA is currently working with immunologists at UT Health to develop the testing program, which will require testing for specific Roadrunner populations and cohorts based on risk-based criteria. More information will be made available in the coming weeks, including details about who will be tested, when and how frequently testing will be required, as well as testing locations. Mandatory testing will be offered at no cost to students, faculty and staff.
