01
April
2020
|
09:24 AM
America/Chicago

COVID-19 Update: Virtual Town Hall, Stay at Home Order Extended

Dear Students, Faculty & Staff,

We hope you and your families are staying healthy and that online classes are going well.We are in Week 2 of working, teaching and learning from our homes. The circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and Stay at Home Order are concerning to say the least. And, many of you may still be adjusting to the unexpected transition to online classes.

In spite of these events, UHD is working to support your needs and answer your questions.Just recently, UHD conducted its first Virtual Town Hall to address the postponed Spring Commencement Ceremony. And, we continue to respond to questions on a range of topics at coronavirus@uhd.edu.

Students, faculty and staff should visit UHD’s Coronavirus Website and UHD.edu for updates on future Town Hall events (including the one mentioned below) and other COVID-19 related news.Below are some recent updates as they relate to UHD and the City of Houston:

  • UHD hosted its second Virtual Town Hall Meeting at noon, April 2 on the UHD Registrar’s Facebook page.  The Town Hall can be viewed hereThe Town Hall also will be shared on UHD’s official Facebook page and archived on YouTube.
     
  • All classes scheduled to start before July 1 (May mini session, early Summer classes) will be conducted online. The University continues to monitor the pandemic's impact on Houston and will assess when future classes can return to their regular format.
     
  • The University of Houston System (UHS) recently issued an overview of the anticipated impact of the Federal Stimulus Legislation on all UHS institutions, including UHD. You’re encouraged to review UHS Chancellor, Dr. Renu Khator's recent announcement for additional details and information on how to determine your eligibility for Federal Stimulus funding.
     
  • Harris County extended its Stay at Home Order through April 30. This directive will impact UHD faculty and staff members, who will continue to telecommute through the end of April. We encourage everyone to respect the requests from the City of Houston and Harris County and continue social distancing practices. Additional information on UHD telecommuting policies will be forthcoming from Employment Services and Operations.
     
  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order that extends social distancing protocols through April 30. According to this order, only essential services/businesses should remain open.

As a reminder, UHD has online resources available for students, faculty and staff to support them during this time, all of which (and much more) are available at UHD's Coronavirus Website.UHD will continue to issue updates as information is made available, but you're encouraged to remain informed on COVID-19 and all of the local and statewide directives related to the virus.We are faced with extraordinary circumstances, but your teamwork and dedication are nothing short of inspiring.Thank you for your strength and ongoing support for UHD.

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.