UTSA provides March 18 digest of coronavirus-related updates

MARCH 18, 2020 — UTSA is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak with a commitment to supporting the safety of the university community while enabling the academic progress of students. Here is your daily digest of campus updates.

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT EIGHMY

A special message to UTSA staff recognizing all their hard work this week to prepare for changes to campus operations. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

• UTSA is moving to a primarily remote telecommuting workforce. Expect an email by the end of this week with guidance on telecommuting.

• Attend a virtual town hall that will answer questions about UTSA’s academic continuity and business operations.
  • Staff Town Hall: Friday, March 20, noon–1 p.m.
  • Missed today’s Faculty Town Hall? Watch a video recording.

• UTSA advises faculty members to keep track of the teaching and research tasks and accomplishments they are engaged in for addition to their CV and for their annual and personnel reviews. If you planned to attend professional meetings, conferences or other opportunities that were canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, add these to your CV.
  
  

TRAVEL 

• UTSA issued revised travel guidelines effective March 15.

• UTSA has issued a reminder to anyone who has traveled internationally and meets the criteria for required self-isolation that they must maintain their self-isolation for the benefit of the campus and broader community.
  
  

HEALTH 

• Feeling ill? Call the Occupational Risk team at 210-458-4038, or seek medical support from your health care provider or a virtual doctor via MDLive.

• Faculty and staff counseling and mental health services are available through Deer Oaks at 888-365-6271.
  
  

ONLINE LEARNING & ACCESS 

• Student course evaluations will be suspended for the spring 2020 semester only.

• Are you experiencing slower than usual internet speeds at home? Keep in mind that internet service providers (AT&T, Spectrum, etc.) are seeing an enormous increase in usage. It may be necessary to save work on your computer and upload it during slower usage periods. Test your connection speed online with SpeedTest.

• View Technology Resources available to faculty and staff. Call 210-458-5555 for assistance.

• Human Resources Training and Development offers an online library for professional and personal development through Skillsoft. Visit the UTSA Learning Zone and log in using your myUTSA ID and passphrase.

• The Office of Research Economic Development and Knowledge Enterprise has added a FAQ to assist with continuity and management of research operations.
  
  

CAMPUS OPERATIONS 

• Mayor Ron Nirenberg issued an order today that restaurants must provide only drive-through or take-out service. For the remainder of this week, the following campus dining locations will be take-out only:
  • Main Campus: Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, the POD in the JPL, Roadrunner Café
  • Downtown Campus: Starbucks and the POD
  • Starting next Monday, the Roadrunner Cafe will be the only dining location open on campus, for take-out only.

• Department admins should track expenditures incurred as a result of UTSA’s effort to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Download the weekly report form and instructions.

• UTSA Facilities has implemented numerous preventive measures to ensure the health and cleanliness of our campuses. For help, approach a porter directly, submit a request to the iService Desk or call 210-458-4262 for assistance.

• The SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation on-site visit that had been scheduled for this week has been canceled until summer or fall 2020 or spring 2021.