Texas State extending spring break one week for students, moving to remote courses through April 12

Jayme Blaschke, Office of Media Relations | March 12, 2020

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SAN MARCOS – Texas State University will extend spring break for students by one week and move courses to remote delivery through April 12 in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. 

Texas State President Denise Trauth announced the measures March 12. The move will enable the university to enact social distancing measures on our campuses.

There are currently no cases of COVID-19 reported on the San Marcos or Round Rock campuses, or in Hays or Williamson Counties. 

This is a rapidly changing situation. Students, faculty and staff should continue to monitor their Texas State official email and the university website regularly for updates related to COVID-19.

Texas State’s top priority is the safety and health of students, faculty and staff. The university is taking the following actions to help protect the university community from the spread of COVID-19.

  • Texas State University is extending spring break for students through the week of March 27. No classes will be offered on the San Marcos or Round Rock Campuses March 16-27. 
  • Beginning March 30 through April 12, organized lecture, seminar and laboratory courses will be conducted remotely. Course delivery methods will be appropriate for the individual course requirements and may be provided online, through Zoom conferencing, conference calls, email or in chat rooms. Exceptions for individual instruction will be communicated by the instructor. Faculty members are encouraged to be flexible in meeting student needs. Faculty will notify students by March 25 with information on how the course will be taught. Students, faculty and staff should review the Office of Distance and Extended Learning’s (ODEL) Teaching Continuity Guide web site, and the Information Technology Assistance Center’s (ITAC) Teaching, Learning, and Working Remotely at TXST website.
  • ​​​​​​​Texas State campuses and all offices will remain open during and following the spring break extension. Faculty and staff who are on leave during spring March 16-20, will return to work March 23 to continue preparing for remote instruction and the continuity of courses and business operations.
  • ​​​​​​​Campuses will remain open March 16-April 12. Residence halls and dining services will be available for students on campus. Students who do return to campus after spring break will be asked to follow the social distancing and prevention practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Students who work on campus should consult with their supervisors to determine if they should report to work during this time.
  • ​​​​​​​On April 13, remote course delivery will end and face-to-face instruction will resume unless the instructor provides other direction. Remote course delivery may extend beyond April 12 if deemed necessary for community safety. The final exam schedule will follow the published calendar, unless otherwise notified.
  • ​​​​​​​All indoor university-affiliated events with an expected attendance of more than 200 people will be cancelled from now until April 12. Detailed information will be shared regarding event cancellations by email.
  • International and Domestic Travel: All university-funded international travel is cancelled until further notice. Per university policy, any personal travel internationally to countries with a CDC Travel Warning Level 2 or 3 will be required to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus. The university strongly encourages everyone to evaluate personal travel and avoid areas in the United States with active community COVID-19 transmission. Those traveling to an affected area in the U.S. are required to call the Student Health Center at (512) 245-2161 before returning to campus and may be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

 

 

About Texas State University

Founded in 1899, Texas State University is among the largest universities in Texas with an enrollment of 38,694 students on campuses in San Marcos and Round Rock. Texas State’s 192,000-plus alumni are a powerful force in serving the economic workforce needs of Texas and throughout the world.

For more information, contact University Communications:

Jayme Blaschke, 512-245-2555

Sandy Pantlik, 512-245-2922