Information for Faculty and Researchers

Faculty are central to the University’s mission to provide an excellent education to every UTEP student. The well-being of faculty is absolutely vital to our continued success.

Things You Need to Know

Updated: Jan. 19, 2021

• UTEP has been approved as a COVID-19 vaccine provider under the Texas vaccination program. Vaccines will be administered to current UTEP faculty, staff and students based on risk, following CDC and state guidelines. In order to be vaccinated at UTEP, you must first complete the vaccine questionnaire and consent form at this link. When a vaccine is available for you, you will receive instructions in your UTEP email about how to register and schedule an appointment to receive the first dose of the vaccine.
• A PowerPoint is available for you to use with your team to cover on-campus safety topics. You can access it at this link. You might want to share the PowerPoint with your team in advance of doing your own in-person training so that people can think about their questions in advance. 
• Students have also produced a training video that all students are required to watch before coming to campus. It covers the same subjects and you should feel free to use it with your team, if you wish.
• To help us ensure that our campus is safe for those who cannot work or study remotely, we are also establishing a Temporary Health and Safety Policy. This temporary policy is effective immediately and will end when the University determines the threat of COVID-19 has subsided. One important part of the temporary health policy is a  the health screening tool that is available to all students, faculty, staff and visitors at screening.utep.edu.
• We are asking the UTEP community to take the Miners Pledge and make a commitment to help fight COVID-19. Visit utep.edu/minerspledge to make your pledge, and tell us why you’re doing it. Include a photo or video of yourself taking the pledge or showing what you’re doing to stop the spread.
• UTEP’s free, on-campus walk-up COVID-19 testing program is available to students, faculty and staff who must be on campus during the fall semester. For hours and locations, visit utep.edu/covidtesting. Miners who are not on campus or are showing symptoms may use the dedicated UTEP line at the state COVID-19 testing site located on campus in the Schuster 3 parking lot at Schuster Avenue and Lawton Drive. You will need to show your UTEP Miner Gold Card to access the UTEP line. 
• University-sponsored international and domestic travel is currently suspended, with the exception of travel to and from Juárez, Mexico. Travel requests for Juárez, Mexico, will continue to require prior approval from the International Oversight Committee (IOC). All other exceptions to this policy for faculty or staff conducting research-related or mission-critical functions will require approval from the supervising vice president. Student exceptions will require additional approval by the Dean of Students. Any questions may be directed to the UTEP Travel Office by calling 915-747-5171. Questions related to student travel may be directed to the Dean of Students Office at  studenttravel@utep.edu or 915-747-5648.
• Addressing COVID-19-related compliance requirements involving face coverings and social distancing: This helpful guide is intended to assist the UTEP community in achieving compliance and supporting a safe and healthy environment.
• On-campus research activities are allowed with an approved Research Work/Safety Plan. Information on how to write and submit a Work/Safety plan is available at Research Continuity . Plans should be submitted through BPLogix.
• Signs and fliers can be downloaded  here for posting in buildings and other facilities.
• The  UTEP Plan for Instructional Activities document is intended to help instructors structure and offer courses in ways that will prioritize health and safety and provide a learning environment that will enable students to succeed. A sample syllabus template can also be found here.
• UTEP offers resources and assistance to help faculty and staff enhance mental well-being. To learn more about the resources available to you, click here.
• The Student Recreation Center is open with modified hours of operation and safety protocols. The facility is open by reservation only. For more information, click here.

Additional Resources

The semester plan is continually evolving, and some of our planning may change as new information becomes available. We recommend that you return to this website often, in the event that pertinent updates have been communicated.