Learn About Student Resources and Support Available This Fall
Last Updated on August 21, 2020 at 12:00 AM
Originally published August 21, 2020
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
As the Fall 2020 semester begins, students may have questions about the resources and services available as they begin with remote, hybrid, or in-person learning.
Many UTEP departments will be working entirely remotely in order to keep the number of people on campus as low as possible and to ensure the safety of those on campus for classes.
Students should check departmental websites before coming to campus. Start with UTEP’s Resuming Campus Operations website at utep.edu/recovery. It contains information on the Coronavirus Proactive Testing Program, the daily health screening app and more.
You can also find information for students and their families, look through our recovery FAQs, and see the latest recovery-related updates.
Face Coverings Required On Campus
It is important to keep in mind that face coverings that cover your mouth and nose must be worn by all individuals (faculty, staff, students, and visitors) while on campus in the following areas:
- Indoor public areas on campus, even if you are alone. This includes all non-private office or residential spaces, such as lobbies, restrooms, classrooms, teaching and research laboratories, common spaces in residence halls, conference rooms, and break rooms.
- Outdoor spaces where it is difficult to main at least six feet of social distancing.
Students who are unable to wear a face covering for health-related reasons must request an accommodation from the Center for Accommodations and Support Services.
Learn about what's available in Fall 2020:
- UTEP Library Hours and Resources
- UTEP Bookstore
- Technology Support, Study Spaces, and Wi-Fi
- Student Recreation Center
- On-Campus Facilities
- Student Engagement
- Student Support
UTEP Library Hours and Resources
The University Library is open the week of Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starting Aug. 24, the Library’s hours is as followed:
Monday – Thursday: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For up to date hours, visit https://www.utep.edu/library/about/library-hours.html
The Library will continue to provide access to study space, computers, and library resources. University faculty, students, and staff are allowed into the Library. Face coverings are required and social distancing must be maintained at all times. No food is allowed into the Library computer and study areas.
The second and third floors of the University Library, including the Collaborative Learning Center computer lab, Wi-Fi enabled study areas, Access Services desk, Technology Support Center, Grad Hub, and Texas Western Café, will be open in the Fall. All other floors remain closed and access to Special Collections and the Media and Microforms areas are by appointment only.
Complete information on accessing Library Services and Support can be found at https://libguides.utep.edu/service_updates
You can check out books by submitting your request here. Beginning Aug. 24, students can fill out a request form with the name of the book they wish to check out, and they will receive an email when it is ready to pick up. More details about this service will be available at the Library’s website.
Interlibrary loans continue to accept requests for digital items. Library services such as research assistance and library/information literacy instruction are available both online and in-person.
UTEP Bookstore
The University Bookstore will be open during the fall semester. In an effort to reduce the number of individuals inside the bookstore, students are encouraged to purchase their items online and either pick up their products in store or have their items delivered. An online pickup location will be available in the lobby.
University Bookstore Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Hours during first week of school:
Monday – Thursday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
For more information, please visit the University Bookstore at utepbookstore.com.
Email: 1006mgr@follett.com or 1006asm@follett.com
Staff members will try to respond within 72 hours during the work week, but it may be longer because of the expected heavy volume of back-to-school shoppers.
Technology Support, Study Spaces, and Wi-Fi
Technology Support will be available for all students studying remotely or taking classes on campus. Students may contact Technology Support for laptop repair, academic software needs or to set up personal computers to print documents utilizing campus printers. Laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots also are available for checkout. Students should contact Technology Support when help is needed with Blackboard or the online proctoring software.
UTEP’s Technology Support page offers links to three web pages that are available to help the UTEP community learn, teach and work from off-campus: learning remotely, remote teaching, and working remotely.
For students, they’ve included links to Blackboard tutorials and access to various software and OneDrive downloads.
Also, check out tips to optimize your internet home usage.
Lounges, lobbies, and common areas for studying have been reconfigured to support social distancing. Students are encouraged to take advantage of outdoor venues where Wi-Fi has been expanded and enhanced. These venues include:
- Centennial Plaza
- Engineering breezeway
- Interdisciplinary Research Building patio
- Fox Fine Arts 2nd floor breezeway
Check them out on our campus map.
Student Recreation Center
Students will be able to access the Student Recreation Center to utilize the cardio theater, free weight area, basketball courts, and the multi-activity court starting Sept. 1, 2020. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Staff will monitor access to the facility to control maximum capacity regulations recommended by local health officials.
Students are encouraged to reserve a time slot ahead of time by emailing recreserve@utep.edu from your UTEP email account or by calling 915-747-5103.
Please include first and last name and the date and time that you would like to visit for a workout. Virtual fitness programs will continue to be available online in addition to the equipment checkout program, where students can borrow such items as bicycles, tents, kayaks, and fitness and aquatic equipment. We hope to be able to open the swimming facilities sometime during the fall semester if public health guidelines permit it and if we can ensure student well-being and compliance with all safety protocols.
Student Engagement
Although things may look different this fall, staff have been busy planning a variety of activities and events for the fall semester.
Minerpalooza 2020
UTEP’s biggest back-to-school celebration is going virtual for our 30th annual celebration in a way the campus has never experienced! We want to celebrate with YOU and our entire community.
With new, first-of-its-kind elements, we’re gearing up to bring you an event that will bring the Miner Nation together for one special evening. We're creating a completely virtual event to ensure that we can celebrate a new school year in a safe environment. So, save the date for Friday, Sept. 4, 2020.
Career Center
Access to JobMine, UTEP’s online job database, continue to be available to students through the University Career Center website.
The University Career Center launched the Virtual Career Center, which includes videos, sample documents and online resume and cover letter reviews, virtual mock interviews, job postings, and virtual career fairs and employer sessions. Career Center advisers are also available to provide one-on-one feedback to students remotely. More info: https://www.utep.edu/student-affairs/careers/
Students are also encouraged to participate in several upcoming events including:
- Work@UTEP Virtual Job Fair– Working on the UTEP campus is a great way for students to gain meaningful work experience that can enhance their résumés. Students are encouraged to learn about the on-campus jobs available at UTEP this fall, including remote work options, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2020.
- Career Expo– The largest career fair held at UTEP will be virtual this year, enabling all students to access the experience from anywhere. The expo attracts over 100 national, regional, and local employers.
On-Campus Facilities
Union Building
Union Building East re-opened Aug. 17, 2020. Common areas both inside and outside the building will be available for students to study or access Wi-Fi. The Cyber Café will remain closed until further notice. Please visit www.utep.edu/union for hours of operation.
El Paso Natural Gas Conference Center
The EPNGCC and Chick-Fil-A will be open beginning Aug. 24, 2020. Students may access the EPNGCC as a place to study or access Wi-Fi. Please visit www.utep.edu/union for hours of operation.
Housing and Residence Life
Safety measures are in place for students residing on campus, including enhanced cleaning of high-traffic/high-touch areas, assigning students to private bedrooms, and the reconfiguration of common spaces and computer labs to promote social distancing. Students interested in residing on campus can email housing@utep.edu or call 915-747-5352 for more information.
Campus Dining and Vending
Chick-Fil-A (EPNGCC) and Texas Western Café (Library) will open on Aug. 24, 2020. Visit utepdining.sodexomyway.com for hours of operation. Vending machines will also be available in various campus buildings. Additional on-campus dining venues will open based on need and customer demand.
Student Health and Wellness Center
The center is available for students both virtually and in-person this fall. Services include general medical care as well as wellness exams, including STD testing and nutrition education counseling. The center also provides routine immunizations and TB testing required by many educational programs at UTEP. Services are provided by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment, call 915-747-5624 or email studenthealth@utep.edu.
All students will be seen by appointment only. Medical service will not be provided to anyone with upper respiratory conditions. Testing site locations or referrals for patients to urgent or emergency care can be provided to assist individuals experiencing upper respiratory conditions. All students (patients) will be required to wear a face mask and only the patient will be allowed into the clinic.
Print Shop (Hertzog Building)
Counter services will be in place on the first day of school.
Post Office (Union Building East)
Counter services will be in place on the first day of school.
UTEP Food Pantry
Students may access the Food Pantry located in Memorial Gym with their Miner Gold Card. The pantry offers support and assistance to UTEP students who are dealing with food insecurity.
Miner Metro
UTEP has reduced parking fees for the 2020-21 academic year. To do this, we had to reduce the Miner Metro Shuttle Service. The shuttles will be reduced to one route that will travel to and from Miner Canyon student housing only. All other routes will be out of service. For additional information, visit www.utep.edu/parking-and-transportation or call 915-747-5724.
Student Support
Resources and support continue to be available for students, including:
Advising, registration and student services will continue to be delivered virtually and remotely via phone and Microsoft Teams. If you have not been advised and registered, or you would like to make changes to your current schedule, please contact your advisor directly.
The Academic Advising Center is resuming limited in-person operations observing social distancing and mandatory face covering guidelines.
For assistance, call the Academic Advising Center (915-747-5290), or email the Student Success Help Desk (studentsuccess@utep.edu).
Office of Student Financial Aid
Financial aid staff can be reached at studentfinancialaid@utep.edu or 915-747-5204 for financial aid and scholarship inquiries. Extended hours are available through Aug. 28 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Wait times may vary due to high volume of inquiries.
CARES Act Funding
Over $6 million in student support grants will be available to eligible students this fall semester. For additional information, go to www.utep.edu/utepcares.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Staff continue to provide counseling services to students, including Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), where you can get self-care guidance on stress management and mindfulness during this difficult time.
Appointment line: 915-747-5302, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Miners Talk: After Hours Crisis Line - 915.747.5302, Press 2
Email: caps@utep.edu
Same-day crisis appointments are available for students who are experiencing suicidal ideation, have been the victim of a recent crime or have experienced a recent life-altering event.
Response times should be no be longer than 30 minutes during business hours. If the call was made after hours, CAPS will respond in the morning of the next business day.
Center for Accommodations and Support Services (CASS)
Students can request accommodations 24 hours a day/7 days a week by logging into the Accessible Information Management (AIM) system using their UTEP credentials at cassportal.utep.edu. Start the process by completing a simple three-question application, and a CASS staff member will coordinate a virtual appointment to discuss your case and develop a plan to determine which accommodations will help you be successful at UTEP.
Learn more about this resource here.
Military Student Success Center
Students can schedule an appointment with the Military Student Success Center here.
If you have any documents that need to be turned in for your education benefits, please scan or take a picture with your phone and email them to mssc@utep.edu.
For general information, you can reach them through their communication platforms:
Phone: 915-747-5342
Email: mssc@utep.edu
Schedule an appointment here.
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Childcare Center
The YWCA Early Learning Academy will reopen on Aug. 24, 2020. Students who need childcare services should contact the YWCA for enrollment information. To reserve a space, email l.valles@ywcaelpaso.org or call 915-747-6000.
