Courses may be held using in-person and/or online teaching methods,
as determined by the course director. Face-to-face classes should
continue to adhere to room capacity requirements to allow for social
distancing. For individuals with concerns attending class face-to-face,
accommodations should be made with course directors to allow for
attendance virtually. For questions or concerns, please contact any of
the GSBS deans.
For students who have scheduled research meetings
or defenses, we are utilizing social distancing strategies. Off campus
committee members will need to join the meeting using Skype or
can be emailed copies of slides/data before the meeting and then join
the meeting by phone. On campus members can attend meetings in person,
by Skype or by phone. Thesis or dissertation defenses will utilize the
same methods mentioned above. Required documentation related to defense
meetings can be mailed to GSBS. In regards to public defenses, please
contact Dr. Janice Endsley, Associate Dean for Student Affairs ad
interim, to discuss options.
There have been questions as to the
status of graduate students as part of UTMB’s response to COVID-19.
Graduate students are critical to research operations and those with
graduate assistantships will be classified as essential employees and
available to work in research laboratories. Our primary concern will be
to keep our students safe. We will recommend that students be on campus
only to complete their work and then return home to continue their work.
Some students may be able to pursue their research remotely and this
would be ideal.
Please consult with your mentors for plans for
experiments, ordering sufficient supplies, work that can be done from
home, communications, etc. Members of the GSBS are in a unique position
during this pandemic as many of our faculty and trainees are directly
involved in research for COVID-19 response. Your course directors should
be in communication with you regarding course plans and instruction.