Greetings Students, Faculty and Staff,

For the past few months, the university leadership has worked with six campus committees to plan for a safe and effective fall semester. We’ve taken extraordinary care to make decisions that prioritize the health of our students, faculty and staff. Several factors guided our decisions including a surge in COVID-19 cases in the Dallas area, an increase in the number of young people who are testing positive for the virus and the science behind how the virus is spread.

The following information pertains to the Fall 2020 semester only.

UNT Dallas tuition will not increase and the university is evaluating a reduction in certain student fees. Details regarding student fees will be announced at a later date.  

The UNT Dallas main campus will offer courses predominately in a virtual learning format beginning August 24. Only two classes are scheduled to meet in-person on the UNT Dallas campus. The majority of Fall 2020 classes will be conducted in a virtual learning format. Class instruction will be provided with the use of videoconference technology (Zoom and Microsoft Teams), and other methods such as recorded lectures via Panopto and Canvas, our official online platform.

Classes at the UNT Dallas College of Law (COL) will begin with Fundamentals on August 3. Orientation will take place on August 5 and August 10. Fundamentals and Orientation will be delivered in a virtual learning format for first-year students.

Classes for upper division COL students will begin on August 24. Select upper division law classes will be provided in a virtual learning format, while others will be provided in-person. Students are advised to review the syllabus for each of their courses on Canvas to determine how the class content will be delivered.

All classes for the UNT Dallas main campus and the COL will transition to a virtual learning format after the Thanksgiving holiday.

In order to assist students with the technology needed to successfully learn from home, UNT Dallas will have a limited number of Chromebooks or laptops and WiFi hotspots available to check out for those who need support. Students may request technology support by calling or texting the student hotline at 972-503-9253

The university will operate with a limited number of staff members on campus. The majority of staff members will continue to work remotely, visiting campus with supervisor coordination. A disposable mask or an appropriate cloth face covering will be required to return to campus.

UNT Dallas strongly suggests each person carry their own personal face covering (mask) with them at all times when on campus. The University will have a supply of masks available in certain locations across the campus in the event someone (i.e., guests/visitors and/or members of the campus community) should need a face covering.

Fall 2020 Semester plan details include:

CAMPUS HOUSING

• Wisdom Hall will open at 50% capacity with one student per room and bathroom

• Wisdom Hall will close at the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday; housing fees will be prorated with discounts applied to the initial housing contract

• Students may leave their personal belongings in the residence hall as long as the student plans to return to the residence hall in Spring 2021

• UNT Dallas Campus Police continue to secure the university and are available to assist students with campus safety needs

• To strengthen social distancing protocols, boxed meals will be provided for students residing on campus

AVAILABLE SERVICES - ON CAMPUS

• The Student Health Clinic will open by appointment only

• The College of Law Library will open with social distancing and capacity limits strictly enforced

• The UNT Dallas main campus library will open on a limited basis and by appointment only; the virtual library is available 24 hours

• Computer labs will open by appointment only; hours will be determined by student demand

• The Campus Bookstore will open with limited hours 

• Starbucks will open with limited hours and offer select food and beverage options

• External use of university space will be limited; decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis

AVAILABLE SERVICES - VIRTUAL

• Telehealth appointments will be available with the Student Health Clinic

• Counseling, tutoring and advising services will be offered virtually

• Freshman seminar (UGST) will operate virtually

• Faculty members will continue to report mid-term grades for 1000-2000 level classes and provide early alerts to keep students informed of their academic progress

• In order to provide a level of personal interaction with students, all faculty members will be available for virtual office hours; full-time faculty members will offer 8-hours of virtual office hours each week

• Trailblazer Elite will operate virtually with occasional in-person activities; counseling, advising and mentoring services will be provided virtually

• The Early College High School program will operate virtually, starting August 17, with special attention provided through programming; laptop and WiFi assistance is available

 EMPLOYEES

• To ensure the health and safety of our employees, only 25-30% of staff members will return to work on campus; the majority of staff will continue to work remotely

• Staff and student workers who plan to return to campus must coordinate with their supervisor and follow all safety and social distancing protocols

• The majority of faculty members will continue to work remotely, unless otherwise specified

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

• Planning is underway for UNT Dallas Spring 2020 and all Fall 2020 commencement ceremonies

• More information will be shared once the commencement committee has finalized plans for these important celebrations

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Athletics is scheduled to begin on time; an athletics advisory committee has been formed to recommend operational guidelines

The university leadership will continue to work with the campus committees to monitor our on-going health crisis and make decisions that provide the best educational environment while keeping our students and employees safe. Our goal is to provide each of our students with the tools to complete the semester successfully and for our seniors to graduate. Please continue to check your campus email and visit our knowledge center at untdallas.edu/covid for additional information, current updates and required protocols for a safe return to campus.

The health of our Trailblazer community is extremely important to all of us. We hope that you continue to follow the Center for Disease Control guidelines, as well as local and state recommendations to help keep you, your family and your Trailblazer community safe. 

Wishing you good health and a successful fall semester,

Bob Mong
UNT Dallas President