COVID-19 Update - ALL Students

Dear Students,

As you know, TWU has made the decision to complete the remainder of the semester via online courses. This decision will create new challenges for many of our students, and we are committed to helping you complete the semester within the context of this new normal.

Staff members from across the university are working to support the university’s priorities. Some services, like Dining and the Library, will limit hours, so check their websites for details and updates. Many services on campus will remain open in order to assist you, including:

• Admissions
• Bookstore
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Disability Services for Students
• Dining (Dallas and Houston are closed)
• Financial Aid
• Fitness and Recreation (Dallas and Houston are closed)
• Health and Wellbeing Initiative
• Housing
• ID Services
• Student Health Services
• Student Life
• Student Union

 

Work Study

We know work study impacts many students. According to the Department of Education, universities can continue to pay students via work study even if they aren’t working due to closures related to COVID-19. Under the department’s guidelines, colleges can still pay students through the Federal Work Study program as long as the college is paying other faculty and staff and continues to pay for its share of the program. (In most cases, colleges–or the employer–and the federal government split the cost of work study.) For those of you employed through work study, I expect more information will be forthcoming from your supervisor.

Internet Connectivity Available for Students 

With the transition comes questions about access and connectivity. The FCC has recently made an agreement with providers stating late fees will be waived and service will not be terminated for lack of payment. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-363033A1.pdf Additionally, several providers are offering additional options. To assist you, a few options are listed below:

• Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more
• AT&T COVID-19 response offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to families needing a data plan. https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html
• Verizon has no special offers but is following the FCC agreement. https://www.verizon.com/about/news/our-response-coronavirus
• Sprint follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge. https://newsroom.sprint.com/covid-19-updates-sprint-responds.htm
• T-Mobile follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and will soon allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge. https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response

Academic Accommodations

As we move to all online delivery of courses, you may need to submit a request for academic accommodations. Students do not need any documentation or doctor's notes for requests related to the virus. 

Programming

In an effort to meet you where you are, Student Life programming will migrate to providing online options to help keep you connected during this time. While all in-person athletics games, events and activities will be canceled through the end of the spring semester, virtual options will be offered when feasible, so be sure to keep an eye out for our student newsletter and social media posts, and stay in touch through Pioneer Engage. 

We recognize this is an uncertain time, and that through this rapidly evolving situation you have  ongoing concerns. These major disruptions to life can cause a lot of mixed feelings and emotions. Our leadership is meeting regularly to address and enact response efforts as the situation continues to evolve. Thank you for your patience while understanding that additional changes and modifications may be necessary.  Please remember to take care of one another. We are all in this together.

 

Sincerely,

Monica Mendez-Grant
Vice President for Student Life

 

Page last updated 8:37 AM, March 19, 2020