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Posted: 4/02/21

TAMIU Moves to Return to Full On-Campus Fall

 

TAMIU Logo
Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU President  

As the nation, state and city continue a measured COVID-19 Pandemic recovery, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) has its sights firmly set on a campus future that looks a lot like the campus’ past.

TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz said that the University’s plan for Fall is focused on a return to a vibrant, on-campus experience for students, faculty and staff for the 300-acre northeast Laredo campus. 

“We’ve followed the science, and our strict adherence to safety protocols, aggressive testing and a vaccination program here on campus has kept our campus’ COVID-19 prevalence at below 2%  -- among the lowest in The Texas A&M University System, throughout this Pandemic response.  In addition to on-campus rapid testing and vaccination opportunities, we will continue to require on-campus face coverings, social distancing and rigorous hand-washing.  We will work with our Federal, City, State, and A&M System partners to guide our recovery, and adjust operations as necessary,” Dr. Arenaz advised.

Arenaz said the University is eager to return to a traditional classroom experience.

“We are committed to providing our students with the full University dynamic they deserve:  a high-quality experience which provides on-campus courses, experiences and insights and support services that foster a well-rounded graduate who will be competitive and successful in their chosen career or graduate school,”  he explained. 

Arenaz said the University’s commitment, resilience and resolve throughout the Pandemic has empowered all members of the University community to continue to succeed. 

“Our students, faculty and staff showed that they could not only meet the challenges of unparalleled change -- but surmount them.  Students, faculty and staff transitioned to online delivery and virtual operations, and persevered.  Our faculty, student and staff  commitment, resilience and resolve enabled us to deliver our mission as an essential State agency.  We have been fully  operational throughout, providing all needed resources and services.  This same commitment and spirit  drives our campus return and recovery moving  forward,” he said. 

He acknowledged critical support provided TAMIU throughout its COVID-19 response. 

“With the generosity of federal assistance and donor partnership, we were able to help provide students with much-needed assistance.  The TAMIU CARES program, which provides grants to students for expenses related to COVID-19, has awarded over  $6 million in emergency grants.  Additional CARES funding has undergirded the response resources utilized. Our local donors and partners also helped provide students with additional scholarship and resource support.   Without this level of partnership, our path forward would have been slowed,” Arenaz explained.

He also singled out remarkable and ongoing volunteer efforts throughout the Pandemic response provided by TAMIU students, faculty and staff. 

“This year, TAMIU student nurses and faculty  have generated over 3000+ volunteer service hours at City-hosted vaccine drives. Last year’s response saw them provide 6500+ service hours.  Their efforts joined a TAMIU-wide community service drive by all students that generated over 50,000 service hours as part of the University’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Engineering students made protective equipment for first-responders, while other students helped conduct vital contact-tracing or assisted some of our most vulnerable citizens.  This level of community engagement, during a Pandemic no less, is truly inspiring,” Arenaz noted. 

TAMIU’s president said he is looking forward to welcoming students home to TAMIU. 

“While we’ve never been closed and have provided services throughout this shared challenge, I am truly looking forward to welcoming our students home to campus. We’ve missed them and they tell us that they have missed us too.  While so much has changed, it will be nice to get back to something that has a permanent place in our hearts and minds …our shared alma mater,” he concluded.  

TAMIU earned a top tier ranking for its COVID-19 Pandemic response. The 2020 Educate to Career College ranking placed TAMIU in Tier I for colleges and universities that have responded to the pandemic in ways that benefit and protect students, especially in terms of available online learning resources.

Registration for Maymester, Summer and Fall semesters at TAMIU begins Monday, April 5.

For more student information on TAMIU, visit tamiu.edu/prospect, email enroll@tamiu.edu or call 956.326.2270.