Dear instructors,
In order to help us limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect our community, we ask that you share the information below about testing at the start of one of your upcoming classes. You can use the script provided below or put it in your own words. However you choose, please convey the key ideas.
Message to share with your students
We know students have many concerns right now about COVID-19 — how it’s affecting our community and how the university and other institutions are handling it. Uncertainty brings its own challenges. We want to offer information on testing that is reliable, clear, and hopefully reassuring.
Taking a COVID-19 test on campus is one of the best things all of us can do to help protect our friends and our community. If you have gotten or do get a positive test result off-campus, it will help if you self-report it to UT.
It’s really important to do this to help protect you and each other.
Here are some good things to know:
- There is no cost to students for tests, even if you do not have insurance.
- If you get a positive test result, UT will support you, helping you to continue your studies during the required period of self-isolation.
- Group information will be kept as confidential as possible and any disclosure will be governed by medical privacy laws.
- Getting a test on campus will help because UT gets fast results and our rapid contract tracing can reach people in time to limit the spread. Starting September 8, rapid testing will be available with results delivered in under an hour.
- If you get a positive result at an off-campus testing center, it is imperative to self-report it to UT right away so there will be no delays in contract tracing.
- If you are symptomatic, please go to University Health Services for testing.
- You can take a test at UT whether or not you have symptoms and were in contact with someone with symptoms.
- Parking is validated up to one hour at the SSB location.
- Your individual identifying information will be kept confidential.
- You can also share this guide for Covid-19 testing with students.
We all need to remember that COVID-19 is devastating people across our community, especially in our most vulnerable populations. Any one of us can get the virus, and every one of us can help fight it.
You can help protect your friends and your community by getting tested on campus. Testing, contact tracing, masks, social distancing, and hygiene combined are effective in fighting the spread of COVID-19. Those measures can also give us confidence in the fact that we are safer when we work together as a community.
To get more information, visit the University Health Services website: https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/.
Here is a slide for you to use in class if it is helpful to you. Faculty are key to ensuring students have accurate information. Your supportive conversations with students will have a positive impact on their mental health and remind them that we are in this together.
My thanks to you all for your help to share this information and Protect Texas Together.
Sincerely,
Dan Jaffe