Start of spring 2022

Dear Texas Woman’s Community,

I hope you all had a well-deserved rest during the winter break. As we head into year two of the COVID-19 pandemic, I know many of you have concerns about the omicron variant. With that in mind, we are making a few changes to how we start the spring 2022 semester.

Since the pandemic’s beginning, I have stressed the need to remain fluid in our response to COVID. This stance has not changed. The Texas Woman’s University leadership team continues to monitor the virus’s progression. Our foremost priority is to provide students with a safe and healthy learning and living environment and employees with a safe and healthy workplace.

Classes for the spring semester will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 18, as planned. However, for the first three weeks, faculty will have the flexibility to modify the format of the courses to allow for online instruction with an in-person option if possible. Provost Kapinus will send a follow up message to the faculty. Students should look for messages from their instructors with specific course details.

While some instructors may move their classes online for the first few weeks, campuses and offices remain open and ready to serve students, including libraries, residence halls, dining services, and recreation facilities. I encourage all to practice social distancing and wear masks while on campus. Non-academic events will continue in person with additional virtual options when possible.

Texas Woman’s continues to offer flexible work arrangements for the staff when possible. Staff members should work with their supervisors and division vice presidents to determine what works best for their operations and mission.

We will not restart the proactive testing program we implemented last fall. However, we still encourage members of the Texas Woman’s community to get vaccinated and boosted as recommended by the CDC. Risk Management and others are looking into opportunities to provide vaccination clinics and testing on our campuses for the spring term and will send out further details once they finalize plans.

The university uses the latest CDC guidance for isolation and quarantine in COVID exposure and positive tests. Further information is available on our coronavirus website. Additionally, Risk Management will continue contact tracing, so please complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form if you have tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

As this pandemic continues to challenge us, I appreciate your flexibility and continued patience. We will weather this storm together.

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 11:59 AM, September 13, 2024