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COVID-19 Update

April 15, 2020

This information is not the most recent update. For the most recent information, visit uttyler.edu/coronavirus.

Federal assistance available to students with COVID-19 hardships

As a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), UT Tyler students will be able to apply for a grant to help with "their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare and child-care expenses." The financial aid team is currently working on an application form for UT Tyler students and a committee is being assembled to review student applications for funds. Pending final guidance from the Department of Education, more information on these relief grants to students will be provided by the end of the week, including who qualifies, what the grants can be spent on and how students can apply.

Housing and meal plan reimbursements posting to student accounts today

UT Tyler is posting housing and meal plan reimbursements this week for students who moved out of campus-owned and operated housing through the end of last week. The amounts will be posted to students accounts prior to the final installment payment due date (April 15). If the reimbursement exceeds current charges on a student's account and results in a credit balance, a refund will be processed by the end of the week based on the student's refund election in BankMobile. For those students whose room and board charges were fully covered by a UT Tyler scholarship, the scholarship may be non-refundable and adjusted accordingly.

Students may request a refund on their Patriot Bucks card balance by sending their request to refunds@uttyler.edu. Additional information on the Patriot Bucks card may be found on the UT Tyler P2 Card webpage.

Housing and meal reimbursements will continue to be processed for students electing to move out of campus-owned and operated housing early, based on move-out dates.

Reimbursements for unused parking permits will be processed later this month.

Academic Affairs releases additional answers to FAQs regarding grades

The Office of Academic Affairs has been working hard to provide flexibility in grading in response to hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The provost's team has provided the following clarifying responses to frequently asked questions.

How to I determine if my grade is passing or not?

A chart is available under the first question on the COVID-19 FAQ page here: https://www.uttyler.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

What is the process for selecting the Pass/Fail option?

  1. Review your grades on May 6, 2020, to determine if you want to opt in the Pass/Fail Grade option.
  2. Check the Pros and Cons chart and the Pass/Fail Specific Course Requirements chart information. Both of these charts are available on the FAQ page. Make sure you that understand the consequences of your decision and that you select the appropriate pass/fail option for the grade you earned in selected courses.
  3. Complete the Expedited Grade Appeal Form. The form will be posted to the COVID-19 information webpage on May 6, 2020, and will also be available from your academic advisors. Make an appointment with your advisor if you are not sure of the correct decision for your course or circumstance.
  4. Submit the Expedited Grade Appeal Form to the appropriate person as determined by your college major. This information is found on the Expedited Grade Appeal Form.

What is the timeline for the Pass/Fail option?

  • Tuesday, May 5, 2020: Grades are entered into the system by UT Tyler faculty.
  • Wednesday, May 6, 2020: Grades are posted and available to UT Tyler students.
  • May 7 – May 19, 2020: Complete the Pass/Fail Grade Option Process. All forms must be submitted to the designated individual in your college by May 19, 2020 at 5 p.m. CST. You will receive a notification from the registrar's office when your paperwork is processed.
  • Starting May 20,2020, students will go through a traditional grade appeal process as noted in the 2019-2020 UT Tyler Catalog to appeal a grade decision.

UT Tyler COVID-19 Emergency Fund available to help students

Students who need help with basic living necessities and academic support resources should reach out to Andrew Pettee, dean of students, at apettee@uttyler.edu.

Use the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund Application to make a request.

University provides resources to engage community during social distancing

UT Tyler has a variety of resources available to help the community stay active and engaged while social distancing. From Community Engagement:

In an effort to continue supporting our community even when we can't be with them, the community engagement team has pooled many of our virtual resources on one page for easy access: the UT Tyler Knowledge Project website. This site features

UT Tyler resources such as:

  • Educational videos related to health and wellness and performing arts (with videos related to science added soon)
  • Q&A section for UT Tyler experts
  • Videos of pre-recorded concerts

We are proud to showcase the work of our faculty, staff and students in this new virtual setting, so please send any additional ideas for consideration to community@uttyler.edu. Also, please be on the lookout for a note from us in case our community wants to hear from your area of expertise.