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COVID-19 Response Center

Faculty and Staff Information

Fall Together@TAMIU

Although the Pandemic will still be with us for Fall 2022, with vaccines and boosters widely available, we are in a much better position than we were a year ago.

Still, 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 protect ourselves, and others.

Let’s make it a great and healthy semester!

Below are details of our Fall Together@TAMIU Plan.

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  • 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, and
    • have adhered to travel guidelines as set forth by the University.
  • 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 should practice social distancing, 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 not mandatory, but highly recommended 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.
  • Air handlers in all buildings have been refitted with higher efficiency filters.
  • On-campus testing will remain available during the Fall 2022 semester. If conditions warrant, the university may activate surveillance testing.
  • Internal contact tracing for TAMIU community members who test positive for COVID-19 continues. All information provided to our contact tracers is confidential and will follow public health privacy requirements.
  • Campus signage will reinforce current CDC guidelines.

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  • The Fall 2022 semester begins Monday, August 22, 2022. Instruction ends Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Final exams begin Thursday, December 1, 2022. For additional information, visit the University’s online calendar and select the Academic Calendar.
  • Face coverings are recommended for students and faculty in all classrooms.

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  • Faculty members report no later than the first day of classes, Monday, August 22, 2022. New faculty members report to campus on the day of their designated onboarding.
  • Faculty members must observe social distancing when lecturing and conferring with students and colleagues. Faculty members will be provided with a face shield upon request.
  • Faculty members are expected to hold office hours on campus while adhering to campus safety, recommended face-covering and social distancing guidelines, or at an appropriate open space outside their office. They can also offer office hours virtually via WebEx, Collaborate, or Zoom while in their office and must be available for on-campus meetings

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  • Employee domestic and foreign travel may be permitted based on mission-critical criteria as outlined by The Texas A&M University System with the approval of the appropriate VP and the President.
  • Employees traveling internationally should seek CDC and A&M System guidance on quarantine and testing requirements prior to arrival.
  • *International travel includes travel to México other than to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, México. Travel beyond Nuevo Laredo is considered International travel. Thank you for supporting our efforts to help keep both TAMIU and our community safe. Please travel safely and be well.
  • Students planning to study abroad are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance. Travel insurance is separate from the required medical insurance and provides partial or full reimbursement in the event your trip must be canceled. The University will not be responsible for any lost deposits or travel expenses resulting from canceled trips.
  • More information can be found by visiting the CDC website.

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Campus Facilities/Schedule Minus IconPlus Icon

Most buildings will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday – Friday. Specific campus buildings may have different operating schedules, including the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library and research facilities/laboratories.

Please note that all hours are subject to change.

 

Faculty and Staff Frequently Asked Questions

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 and your COVID-19 vaccine(s) and booster(s).

We recommend you also follow all CDC and State Department of Health guidelines.

TAMIU has augmented its cleaning of facilities, using hospital-grade disinfectant on surfaces. We are following updates from 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.

If a COVID-19 case is confirmed, then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols will be observed. Those who have had close contact with the positive individual may be contacted and monitored by the City of Laredo Health Department and/or TAMIU’s contact tracing team. 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 calling 956.326.2235. The use of a face-covering (mask) is required while visiting Student Health Services.

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.

Members of the TAMIU community seeking help with stress now have an online ally at their fingertips: Therapy Assistance Online (TAO).  Here’s an explainer video.  TAO is 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).

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 online services will be added as available.

You may also read our dedicated COVID-19 Self-Care Packet, produced by TAMIU Student Counseling and Disability Services for Students.

Employees must notify their supervisor and HR upon notification of a COVID-19 positive test result or close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive person.  Upon such notification, supervisors must also contact HR for further instructions.

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