Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ

 

 

Dear Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Students,

 

There now are confirmed cases of community spread COVID-19 in our Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ service area, so we are making additional changes on our campuses to further ensure the safety and well-being of our Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ family.

As you are all aware, the impact of COVID-19 on the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ community is constantly changing. I will continue to communicate with you regularly via email to provide updates as they become available.

Campus Access

By Wednesday, March 25, all campus employees not essential to university critical functions will transition to working remotely. This will help ensure we are minimizing unnecessary contact as part of the public health solution to COVID-19 while continuing to support our great university.

With this transition, students will no longer be able to access campus buildings for the purpose of studying. If you do not have internet service, please contact your local service providers. Many companies are offering special deals in response to the pandemic. Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ is also working to install exterior access points in critical locations on each campus to allow you to have wireless access from your vehicles. These devices are expected to be installed in the upcoming week. Finally, if you’re still experiencing connectivity issues, please inform your course instructor(s) or program director as soon as possible if you haven’t already done so.

Graduation

A committee of representatives from each school has developed a proposal for a virtual, institution-wide graduation ceremony in May. As part of this proposal, each school may also choose to offer additional ceremony alternatives for its students. No final decisions have been made, but the Deans will discuss the details of the proposal in the coming days.

Active Military-Affiliated Students

If you are a military-affiliated student who has been activated in response to the pandemic, contact Sara Henly in the HSC Veterans Resource Center at vrc@ttuhsc.edu. Also, make sure to communicate with your respective academic advisor or program coordinator to discuss any options related to your current coursework. Please refer to Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Operating Policy 77.16 for guidelines related to students who are unable to complete a semester because of active duty as a result of U.S. military demands or an official declaration of emergency.

Student Assistance

A number of resources are available to you. Please utilize these as needed:

• Our Legacy Now Student Foundation is a student-led organization that provides emergency financial assistance, with available resources, to students who are experiencing unanticipated hardships.
• Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Helping Hands Food Pantry serves students in Abilene, Lubbock, Midland and Odessa providing supplemental and emergency support to ensure access to nutritious food. Amarillo students may send requests to cat.cox@ttuhsc.edu or dena.hair@ttuhsc.edu. Dallas does not have a food pantry at this time.
• If you need additional emotional support during this unprecedented time, contact the Counseling Center @ Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ at 806.743.1327 or 800.327.0328 or counselingcenter@ttuhsc.edu.

 

Communicating COVID-19 Confirmed Cases

At this time, Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ has no confirmed COVID-19 cases among our students. However, should this change, we will provide notification.

Please continue to practice social distancing and handwashing. I also encourage you to continue to reference the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ COVID-19 website for additional information and resources.

You each are a valuable member of our Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ family and our priority is to ensure your safety and well-being. Thank you for your patience as we navigate these uncharted waters together as ONE TEAM.

 

 Warmest regards,

 

 

Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D.
Interim President and Provost
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center