Our approach to the COVID-19 outbreak is focused on protecting the health, safety and well-being of our university community. Due to this rare public health threat, UNT Dallas and the UNT Dallas College of Law will extend Spring Break through Friday, March 20.

We will continue to closely monitor this extremely fluid situation and keep our campus frequently updated. We will use this week to explore alternative instructional delivery, such as switching in-person classes to an online format in order to protect the health and safety of our students. We also want to provide our students with the tools to complete the semester successfully, and for our seniors to graduate.

President Bob Mong, Provost Betty Stewart, CFO Jim Main and two public health experts will present the most updated information at a Town Hall at 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, in Campus Hall in the Student Center. This event will be livestreamed, and we encourage you to participate online. Connection information will be sent soon. If you want to attend in person, seating will be available.

While classes will be suspended next week, we plan to continue other services uninterrupted:

• Wisdom Hall residents are encouraged to go home for the week if possible, but have the option to remain on campus
• The campus café and Starbucks will remain open; notices will be sent regarding any change in hours of operation
• The food pantry will remain open

Visit our web page dedicated to COVID-19 at untdallas.edu/covid for the latest updates. Hotlines have been established for students, faculty and staff:

• Students: 972-638-9164
• Faculty and staff: 972-638-9165

As part of our precautionary measures, we ask students, faculty and staff who have recently traveled domestically or internationally, to self-report your travels to the following contacts:

• Students: Student Health Clinic at untdstudenthealth@unthsc.edu
• Faculty and staff: Johnny Bullock at UNTD-RMS@untdallas.edu

FACULTY

We ask faculty members to report to work on Monday, March 16. Provost Stewart will meet with deans and Faculty Alliance president, Dr. Janiece Upshaw, to discuss alternative modes of instruction.

STAFF

Division vice presidents have the latitude to make decisions on staff members working remotely.

The Cabinet will be on campus and will continue to closely monitor the situation.

We are taking the following precautions: 

• Encouraging everyone to implement best hygiene practices, including frequently washing your hands with soap and warm water
•  If you become ill, or have people in your home who become ill, please stay at home and notify your supervisor for further support
• If an employee believes they have come into contact with the virus, or is displaying symptoms of the virus, they are encouraged to contact a medical provider and limit exposure to others
• Campus representatives are convening with UNT System representatives daily, as well as holding daily briefing calls with county health officials to monitor the situation in our immediate areas
• Strongly discouraging domestic travel
• Cancelling all university-related, non-essential travel and all international travel
• Discouraging gatherings of groups with 50 or more people; this is subject to change depending on circumstances 
• Cancelling Trailblazer 360 on Saturday, April 4
• Continuing to assess university-sponsored events on and off campus, including commencement
• Increasing custodial services to provide enhanced cleaning services.

Thank you for your understanding as we adapt to best confront this unique and rapidly-evolving public health issue.

Bob Mong
President

Betty Stewart
Provost