March 16, 2020

Dear Alumni,

First of all, I hope you and your families are safe and healthy during this global pandemic. No matter what part of the world you live in, you are a valued member of our family. If there is any way we can be of help to you by providing information and/or connections, please let us know. The University of Houston and the UH Alumni Association are here for you.

While COVID-19 presents an evolving challenge, our team at the University of Houston is monitoring, preparing and taking actions on a daily basis to keep our mission intact, providing students, faculty and staff a safe environment. We are also doing our part in the bigger picture to slow the transmission of COVID-19 and flatten the curve, so the medical resources in our respective communities do not become overwhelmed. Within this context, I share the following update with you.

1. The University of Houston was on Spring Break from March 9th through March 13th and has suspended classes until March 21st.

2. On March 23rd, all classes will be offered remotely (online or alternative format). All of our courses had a digital framework and 98% of the faculty were familiar using it either to teach or manage their courses. Three weeks ago, we began the process of enhancing faculty and staff training so we could take our operations online. We are sure to experience some setbacks during the first week, but our faculty and staff are prepared to tackle the challenge.

3. All faculty and staff have been offered an option to work remotely to take care of their professional and personal needs and diminish potential for contracting the virus. Using the principles of “flexibility and compassion” we hope to make a safe environment for our most cherished asset – faculty and staff.

4. University housing, dining, student services, computer labs, research facilities, and offices are open with minimum staffing to continue to provide resources and services to those in need. We are very mindful of our surroundings – closure of public schools, residential students, students who commute, students without computers or connectivity, etc.

5. We are following and constantly promoting preventive practices recommended by health experts, including social distancing. All university sponsored events with more than 50 people have been cancelled for March and April.

6. University sponsored international travel is prohibited and domestic travel is discouraged. Strict rules related to self-quarantine and self-isolation are in place.

7. Strict protocols of cleaning and sanitization are followed in buildings and public areas.

8. At this point, there are no known cases of COVID-19 at UH. However, one member of the baseball staff has been tested for COVID-19 for showing symptoms. Subsequently, in the abundance of caution, the entire baseball team and staff are under self-quarantine while we wait for results.

The University of Houston’s Pandemic Management Plan and the Emergency Management Plan have been activated. Our team is in touch with relevant authorities on a daily bases  and conducts an emergency management meeting daily. Being the largest entity in the system, UH is also working closely and sharing resources with system universities – UH-Downtown, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Victoria and our instructional sites in Sugar Land, Katy, Pearland and Northwest – since all of us are tackling similar issues.  

My communication to UH students, faculty and staff are on the UH website, along with our most updated COVID-19 protocols for more information. Our team continues to address their questions daily by email and on social media.

While circumstances of this nature cause us to change certain aspects of our daily lives, our commitment to your needs and your connection to the University will not change. As Cougars, when asked to rise to the occasion, we do so. And this is no exception. We will continue to make decisions in concert with the available facts and recommendations from both the University and local, state and national authorities.

Once again, please take care of yourself and your family. Stay safe and healthy. We care about you.

With warm regards,