As the fall 2021 term approaches, our focus remains on securing the health and safety of our Maverick community while moving toward a restoration of on-campus classes and activities. With COVID‑19 cases again on the rise, the University announced last week an implementation of COVID‑19 testing procedures to limit on-campus exposure and reduce the number of cases in our campus community.

Last week I met with leaders from UTA’s Faculty Senate and Student Government to discuss possible fall opening scenarios. I also invited faculty to a listening session to hear ideas, concerns and questions about returning to campus classrooms this fall. More than 450 faculty attended and submitted more than 400 questions; my office is preparing to post updated information on the Provost's website to answer many of these questions.

After reviewing the most recent public health data, hearing the concerns of faculty and students, and in consultation with Interim President Lim and other university leaders, I have made the decision to temporarily reduce classroom density to bolster physical distancing efforts and create a safer environment for teaching and learning. The goal is to have UTA campus classrooms at approximately 50% capacity or less.

It has been evident from my discussion with students, faculty and staff that the challenges of the pandemic have resulted in a significant increase in stress, burnout and mental health issues. The problems are particularly acute in the student population where we have seen a significant increase of student dropouts as students have been unable to adjust to online modality. Of particular concern is the number of students who are Texas Success Initiative (TSI) liable in the incoming freshman class. Typically about 400 UTA students are TSI liable; in fall 2021 we will have 1200 students who are TSI liable. These students historically perform poorly in online formats. We are trying to ensure some classroom engagement on a regular basis to increase both their sense of belonging and engagement with their peers and faculty on campus. Over the last year, we successfully delivered some classes in the face-to-face modality with reduced classroom density and no evidence of community spread, and my hope is we can do the same now.

To accomplish reduced classroom density, we ask that faculty implement a plan to rotate student attendance in on-campus and hybrid classes through Sept. 8, 2021. For large classes (100+ students) and those where enrollment is greater than 50% of the classroom capacity, faculty should prepare, communicate and implement a student attendance rotation system to reduce classroom density to approximately 50%. Please check with your department for your classroom’s capacity. For example:

Please note that any attendance rotation should include at least one on-campus class session for each student per week in each course during this time. For classes that meet once per week, students need to attend at least once every two weeks. For small classes and those with enrollment less than 50% of the classroom size, attendance rotation is not necessary. It may be implemented at the discretion of the faculty member. The implementation of attendance rotations for studios, labs, clinicals and similar courses is also at the discretion of the instructor.

Students are responsible for and will need access to instruction delivered in class meetings that occur outside of their scheduled on-campus rotation. To provide access to classroom instruction, faculty should record or livestream lectures and other classroom activities for students not attending that day. Streaming and recording should be done through Teams, Echo 360 or a similar tool; every UTA classroom is already or can be equipped with the necessary streaming and recording technology to utilize Teams and Echo 360. UTA's Classroom Support, Center for Distance Education (CDE), and Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence (CRTLE) are excellent resources to support your adjustment to this teaching environment. Please see these quick reference guides for information and resources on utilizing Microsoft Teams and Echo360 to manage in-person and online teaching during this time.

It is important that faculty share the attendance rotation for each of their classes with students (via Canvas, official UTA email or Teams) no later than August 23 so students know which days to attend class on campus and which days to participate remotely. Because students are also being made aware of this policy, faculty members need to communicate with their classes by this deadline even if no student rotation will be necessary for a class.

Faculty may ask students to maintain social distancing while in the classroom. This can include requesting that students do not sit in the front row(s) and maintain distance when asking questions before or after class. Faculty have the option to assign on-campus classroom seating or maintain seating charts; this is not a requirement. While we are practicing a reduction in classroom density, faculty may also choose to hold office hours fully online.

With this plan, faculty will need to maintain their scheduled teaching on campus. Through our employment of precautionary measures (using fresh air with no recirculation, availability of masks and disinfectant wipes as well as Plexiglas barriers on request), campus-wide mitigation efforts, and reduced density in the classroom, we believe it is possible to successfully and safely provide an enriching experience for all. UTA encourages employees who have a disability to contact the Office of Human Resources and the ADA/ADAAA Coordinator or ADA/ADAAA Liaison for assistance or to request accommodations.

UTA continues to strongly encourage all faculty, staff and students to get vaccinated if they are able. On-campus vaccination clinics will be available on a walk-in-only basis as students begin to move in and return to campus activities. In addition, through a partnership with Texas Health Resources (THR), employees and students have priority access at THR clinics around the DFW Metroplex.  Vaccinations are readily available to students, faculty, staff and the community. More information is available on UTA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Information and Resources page.

UTA also continues to strongly encourage everyone to follow CDC guidance and wear masks, especially inside classrooms or other areas where social distancing is not possible. Masks are available free of charge at the University Center Campus Information Desk, the Main Library and at The Commons Information Desk, and can be ordered by departments from Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) using the Face Mask Request Form. More information can be found on UTA’s Face-Covering Guidance page.

Remember that UTA cannot require masks and should not inquire about anyone’s COVID‑19 vaccination status. Faculty may not require students to wear a mask, nor can faculty ask students individually or the class as a whole (directly, polling, show of hands) about their vaccination status. Any restrictions or expectations communicated by faculty to students must be consistently applied to all students regardless of their decision to wear a mask or their vaccination status. All students must be treated equally.

As the public health situation continues to change, UTA will continue to monitor, plan and respond as needed, including evaluating our planning as we approach September 8. Additional information and updates will be shared via email and posted on UTA’s Coronavirus Information page and on the Provost’s Resources page: Classroom Protocols, Process and FAQs for Faculty.

It is unfortunate that we are not able to enjoy the full return to campus we planned, but I am grateful to each of you for your continued commitment to the education of our students. I maintain my promise to work with each of you, your department chairs, deans and campus leaders to adjust as needed, and make informed and responsible decisions in service to our Maverick community.