COVID-19 Response Center
Student Information
Spring 2021 will bring continued challenges and require ongoing innovation from all TAMIU students, faculty, staff and administrators.
This TAMIU Back Together Spring Plan is the product of five committees formed last Fall by President Arenaz that included faculty, staff, students and administrators. Their recommendations, along with guidance from The Texas A&M University System, continues to guide our safe return to campus this Spring. Our goal has always been to create an environment that is as safe as possible for all our community members, while ensuring our mission – excellence in learning, teaching, and scholarship – continues.
We all need to take personal responsibility to respect and follow the guidelines and restrictions that now affect our daily lives. This University is no different from any other campus or community entity responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Each of us must resolve to do our part to help and protect not only ourselves, but others as well.
Below are details of our TAMIU Back Together Plan for Spring 2021.
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- All faculty and staff must complete a mandatory COVID-19 safety- video course in TrainTraq and sign a certification form before returning to work. You will not be allowed on campus until you complete the training. For staff, the certification must have been completed by Monday, January 4, 2021. For faculty, training must be completed by Monday, January 25, 2021. All administration and staff will be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 Test conducted no earlier than Jan. 5, 2021. Testing will also be required for returning faculty and student employees. Testing will be available on campus or at various community sites.
- All students must complete a mandatory COVID-19 safety-training video and sign a certification form before they can return to campus. The training video will be available in Blackboard approximately one week before the beginning of the Spring 2021 Semester. All students are encouraged to explore on or off campus COVID-19 testing options before they begin their first class of the Spring Semester.
- All members of the University community (faculty, staff and students) will be asked to self-certify prior to returning to campus each day that they:
- have not been determined to be actively infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,
- do not have a fever, cough, or other symptoms of COVID-19 as listed on the CDC’s website,
- have not been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days, and
- have not returned from travel or traveled in or through an area with federal, state or local travel restrictions that mandate quarantine upon arrival home in the previous 14 days.
- If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, you should NOT come to work or school.
- Students who test positive or believe they have been exposed should follow the Student Health Services process for reporting and/or consultation.
- All faculty, staff, students, and visitors must practice social distancing, wear face coverings, and frequently wash their hands while on campus. It is highly recommended you also carry a personal bottle of hand sanitizer.
- Wearing a face-covering is mandatory and required in all campus buildings and outdoors. Face-coverings must cover both the mouth and the nose. Exceptions are:
- When you are alone in a private office, however, you will need to put your face covering on any time someone enters your office;
- When eating or drinking while practicing social distancing, including in campus dining facilities;
- For students, when alone or with a roommate in an assigned dorm room;
- When an alternative such as a face shield has been approved as part of the Americans with Disabilities or religious observance accommodation.
- Community members are required to wear a face-covering while on campus. This is required in all campus buildings and outdoors.
- Hand sanitizer will be available across campus, and disinfectant (spray and/or wipes) will be available in each office and classrooms.
- Water fountains will be turned off, but those fountains with bottle fill stations will remain functional.
- High-traffic work stations/areas will have the added protection of plexiglass shields.
- Air handlers in all buildings have been refitted with higher efficiency filters.
- On campus testing will continue with assistance from The Texas A&M University System. Instructions for accessing testing are available.
- Internal contact tracing for TAMIU community members who test positive for COVID-19 will continue. All information provided to our contact tracers will follow public health privacy requirements.
- Only two people will be allowed in an elevator at a time and there will be a limit on the number of people who can use restrooms at one time.
- Campus signage will reinforce current CDC guidelines, including social distancing.
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- The Spring 2021 semester begins Monday, January 25, 2021. Instruction will end Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Final exams will be given online beginning Tuesday, May 5 – 7, 2021. For additional information, visit the University’s online calendar and select the Academic Calendar.
- Each learning space/classroom has been assessed for maximum capacity in accordance with COVID-19 CDC guidelines for social distancing, and furniture has either been blocked off or otherwise marked as unavailable to ensure adherence to the new capacity. Classes will only be assigned to rooms where social distancing can be maintained.
- Face coverings will be required for students and faculty in all classrooms.
- Face coverings are required in all buildings and outside on campus grounds.
- For most courses, students can attend in-person or livestream.
- There will be three modes of delivery for classes:
- In-Person or Face to Face (F2F): These are courses where at least some essential material can be acquired only through in-person attendance. Students enrolled in a fully F2F class will attend class on campus during regularly scheduled class meetings.
- Online Classes: Classes developed and designed so that students can attend class online. Students who are enrolled in fully online courses must adhere to the participation expectations outlined in the course syllabus.
- TAMIUFlex Classes: Students in TAMIUFlex classes attend class in-person, whether on campus or synchronously, on the days and times when the class is scheduled to meet.
- In face to face and TAMIUFlex courses, lectures will be livestreamed and recorded for asynchronous viewing to allow students who have legitimate reasons for missing class and have been excused from attendance by their instructors.
- Should reduced room capacities require it, a course may have to be changed from one mode of delivery to another (e.g., from in-person to TAMIUFlex). This decision will be made by the Dean of the College or School on the recommendation of the department chair. If such changes are made, all students enrolled in an affected course will be notified. Students will be given the opportunity to make schedule changes after consulting with their advisors.
- In-person, TAMIUFlex and online courses are assessed the same tuition and fees.
- Every course will have an instructional continuity plan should we be forced to modify delivery mode because of COVID-19 or in the event of instructor illness.
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- Before beginning classes, all students are required to view a brief and crucial online video found on Blackboard regarding health and safety for our Dustdevil community.
- Student Health Service will be open during normal hours. However, you will need to make an appointment; Walk-ins will not be seen unless it is an emergency.
- Student Counseling will be open during normal hours. However, you will need to make an appointment; only emergency walk-ins will be seen.
- At this time, the Rec Center will be open with structured access in the Spring. For more information, view their updated hours of operation and safety requirements.
- The Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library will be open with reduced hours and seating will be limited to foster social distancing. Study rooms will not be available.
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- Student employees should work with their supervisor to determine their work location.
- We encourage supervisors and employees to work together to find solutions to address any current or future concerns.
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- Together with the Lone Star Conference, we have created a plan to safely play Fall, Winter and Spring sports that began with Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Men’s and Women’s Golf in September. Men’s and Women’s Basketball will begin their regular seasons on Dec. 11. Volleyball will begin their season on Jan. 26, with both Men’s and Women’s Soccer beginning their seasons on Feb. 16 and 17 respectively. Baseball, Softball and Men’s and Women’s Golf will begin their Spring seasons in their normal time frames beginning Feb. 1.
- Policies have been implemented for the return and monitoring of student-athletes and coaches. For more information, please read the Department of Athletics’ COVID-19 Guidelines.
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All registered students can virtually contact Student Health Services or call the office. However, to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, you must schedule an appointment prior to your arrival.
Unfortunately, we are unable to see walk-ins at this time. Students who do not have a scheduled appointment will not be admitted to Student Health.
Please call 956.326.2235 to schedule an appointment or speak with a Registered Nurse.
For additional information, visit the Office of Student Health website. You can also contact the City of Laredo 24-hour Hotline at 956.795.4954. More information is available in the following FAQS: General COVID-19 Information
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Texas A&M International University serves a broad community of students in Laredo and South Texas with unique needs as a result of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. In order to meet the needs of TAMIU students and their families who have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, TAMIU will award $5.1 million in emergency grants to assist students as part of its TAMIU CARES Program. Of this, 92%, or $4,750,878, are federal funds while the remaining 8%, or $394,000, is from non-governmental sources.
These allocations are designed to provide grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. The CARES funds will be used to address financial hardship, including housing and food insecurity, medical expenses, and lack of educational support and supplies (including technology).
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Texas A&M International University Spring 2021 classes are being offered in various formats: TAMIUFlex, Face to Face, and Online. Visit this explainer to find out more about each.
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Virtual means “being on or simulated by a computer or computer network” or “primarily occurring or existing online.” Your TAMIU Virtual Classroom is located inside each of your classes in Blackboard, which has a variety of resources to assist you.
But virtual classes are much more than online classes. In a virtual class, you might be able to logon and listen to your professor lecture in real time -- just as if you were sitting in a campus classroom.
You might also be able to logon when most convenient and listen to a recorded lecture by your professor or other scholar.
Bottom line, you’ll be able to access your classes from wherever you have access to some sort of device (smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer) and an Internet connection.
At this time, in accordance with federal, state and local directives, TAMIU is remaining open.
You can always come to campus and use our computer labs or campus Wi-Fi. If you have the needed technology described above at home, you don’t need to come to campus for virtual offerings!
Read our Guide to Adjusting Your Study Habits During COVID-19 prepared by the University Learning Center.
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Most buildings will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday – Friday. Specific campus buildings may have different operating schedules. See links below for hours and operation of popular buildings on campus.
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New Student Orientation, required for all incoming students, will be provided in a virtual format. New Student Orientation is TAMIU’s orientation for incoming first year and transfer students.
A combination of sessions will be available for all students, allowing them to interact with the incoming Class of 2024, faculty, and staff. Students can expect a mixture of educational and social activities aimed at ensuring the best possible transition to becoming a Dustdevil. Find out all the details here.
Student Frequently Asked Questions
All face to face loan counseling sessions (entrance and exit) have been postponed until next year. Student is required to complete the one online only at: https://studentaid.gov/app/counselingInstructions.action
TAMIU's Office of Instructional Technology (OIT) has created a dedicated website for assisting students with the online transition. Visit the links below for in-depth information.
Many believe that online courses cost less to offer than face-to-face courses. In fact, the costs just come from different types of services unique to each. Both face-to-face and online instruction have faculty, and academic and student support costs.
Face-to-face fees include in-person services like health, recreation, athletics, and student facilities (each covered by its respective fee). Virtual and online courses require additional support for tech infrastructure to deliver courses-- and the support staff to help faculty in conversion or delivery.
As required by current federal, state and local directives, the University is remaining open so you can still access traditional face-to-face services (the library, select campus computer labs, and tutoring, writing, and health centers). Some of these services are also being transitioned to a virtual format if you choose not to come to campus.
We are awaiting further instruction on this from the Texas Education Agency, as well as our local school districts. Students will be contacted when that information is complete. You can learn more about Field and Clinical Experiences here.
New Student Orientation, required for all incoming students, will be provided in a virtual format. New Student Orientation is TAMIU’s orientation for incoming first year students and transfer students in Spring 2021. A combination of sessions will be available for all students, allowing them to interact with the incoming Class of 2024, faculty, and staff. Students can expect a mixture of educational and social activities aimed at ensuring the best possible transition to becoming a Dustdevil.
The Lone Star Conference has cancelled all competition for the remainder of the Spring season.
The decision was reached by the LSC Council of Presidents with the health, safety and wellness of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, athletic staffs and fans as the top priority.
The announcement aligns with the recent NCAA decision to cancel all Spring championship events due to the evolving COVID-19 public health threat.
All student organizations may hold meetings, educational activities, and events in a limited face to face environment in accordance with the SOLE Re-Opening Plan. This is a combination of Green and Yellow phases. Fundraisers may be held; however, there can be no food fundraisers. All attempts should be made to host the meetings, event, or activity in a virtual format. All events and fundraisers must be approved by SOLE.
As a reminder, all student organization travel is still suspended until further notice. This is done to ensure the safety of all TAMIU students. For more information, please visit the Office of Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement.
Dustdevil Wellbeing
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid sharing food, beverages, and utensils. Avoid close contact with those who may be ill. Stay home when you are sick or have flu symptoms. Cover cough/sneeze with a tissue or cough/sneeze into your elbow. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects or surfaces. Get your annual flu shot. Additional details are available online at COVID Response Center.
We recommend you also follow all CDC and Texas State Department of State Health Services Guidelines and City of Laredo ordinances
TAMIU has augmented its cleaning of facilities, using hospital-grade disinfectant on surfaces and supplementing its regular cleaning schedule and staff. Air handlers have been augmented and hand sanitation stations are located all over campus. We are in ongoing communication with the CDC, State Department, our Texas A&M University System and the City of Laredo Health Department regarding any additional precautions or actions that should be considered.
TAMIU has an online form submitted by all students, faculty, and staff traveling from or through any international destination. These individuals are also required to quarantine upon returning from those countries for 14 days before returning to campus. Employees who do not complete their quarantine time prior to their scheduled return to work date will be required to use either vacation, comp-time, or unpaid leave.
Residence Life is taking proactive steps to reduce exposure within each of the TAMIU residential communities. These efforts include:
The Office of Housing and Residence Life has installed hand sanitizer dispensers at every entrance of the Residential Learning Community and is installing exterior dispensers around University Village. Dispensers are currently found in the clubhouses of both communities. Additionally, the Housekeeping team is responsible for disinfecting all door handles throughout the communities twice a day with disinfectant spray. “Please wash your hands” signs are being put into the community restrooms.
Additionally, the Office of Housing and Residence Life has created posters that share best practices for good personal hygiene.
If a COVID-19 virus is confirmed, then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols will be followed. Those who have had close contact with the patient will be contacted and monitored by the City of Laredo Health Department and TAMIU contact tracers. TAMIU will fully support that effort.
- If you are feeling ill, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Students can make an appointment at Student Health Services by visiting the website or by calling (956) 326-2235.
- Please do not show up at a clinic, urgent care or other healthcare facility without calling first. Your provider may need to take special measures to protect other people in the clinic. Telemedicine may also be available, enabling you to consult a provider from home.
- Do not go to an emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
- Practice social distancing. Stay indoors and avoid contact with others, just as you would with the flu. Those with contagious diseases should stay home from work or school until they are well. People with fever, cough and respiratory issues should seek immediate medical attention.
It is important to remember that this is cold and flu season, and regardless of an individual’s travel history, coughs and other upper-respiratory symptoms are much more likely to be signs of a bad cold or seasonal influenza than the new coronavirus. You can protect yourself in the same ways you would normally do to avoid getting sick:
- Clean your hands, and remind others to do the same. Wash your hands for 20 seconds frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Don’t share towels. Use paper towels after washing your hands, or use a cloth towel that isn’t shared with anyone else.
- Clean common surfaces. Use a standard household disinfectant, and wash your hands after cleaning the area.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with those who are sick.
While self-isolation is considered a University Excused Absence, students are encouraged to keep up with any class activities that can be completed away from campus, especially if they have no or mild symptoms. However, you are required to stay away from campus during your self-isolation period. If you attempt to attend class sessions in person during your isolation period, your instructor will temporarily remove you from class.
To keep up with your classes and other on-campus activities, we recommend you take the following actions as soon as your self-isolation begins:
- If you have traveled internationally , provide your information through the Travel Reporting Portal. Maintain a copy of your travel reporting confirmation email along with related records of your travel (transportation itineraries, boarding passes, etc.).
- Contact your instructors to let them know that you will not be able to participate in any on-campus course activities. Ask about opportunities to access course materials and assignments electronically so you can work from your isolation location.
- Graduate student guidance:
- If you are defending your thesis or dissertation, please contact your committee chair and/or academic advisor to reschedule or discuss possible alternatives.
- If you are taking preliminary, qualifying, or comprehensive departmental exams, contact your committee to reschedule or discuss possible alternatives.
- Undergraduate students should contact their academic advisor, graduate students should contact their committee chair and/or academic advisor, and all students should check Uconnect and your TAMIU email to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines related to pre-registration, degree plans, etc.
- If you are employed, contact your employer to explain that you are self-isolating and identify the date when you can return to work or inquire about opportunities to work from your isolation location. If you are a graduate assistant, contact your department chair or supervisor so that arrangements can be made to fulfill your duties in your absence.
- If you experience barriers to accessing online course materials (poor/no internet access, lack of appropriate technology, etc.), contact your college dean’s office.
- If you need support for self-care (counseling, health services, emergency aid, etc.) or access to items and facilities for daily living (medicine, groceries, laundry, personal hygiene products, etc.) contact Student Assistance Services.
- If you experience symptoms of COVID 19, contact Student Health Services at (956) 326-2235 (8:00am-5pm Mon-Fri ) closed daily from 12 pm - 1 pm.
Members of the TAMIU community seeking help with stress now have an online ally at their fingertips: Therapy Assistance Online (TAO). It’s open to all actively enrolled students and employees too. Use your University email and login to TAO.
You’ll be redirected to login with your current University credentials (University email and password). Employees must use the enrollment key: Wellness19-20 (case sensitive/no spaces). Students do not need an enrollment key.
After logging in, you’ll complete an approximately 5-minute wellness survey and then will have access to all available assistance modules and a mindfulness library. Additional services will be added online as available.
Read our dedicated COVID-19 Self-Care Packet, produced by TAMIU Student Counseling and Disability Services for Students.
Can't Find Your Answer?
Take a look at the TAMIU Back Together Plan for Spring for students, faculty and staff. Still have questions? Send an email to answers@tamiu.edu with your question. If you'd like, include your contact email and phone number.
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