Dear Comets,

One of the hallmarks of being part of the Comet community is taking care of each other. And over the past year and a half, we have done an admirable job of doing just that as we have navigated this pandemic together following the advice and guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health officials.

We now face a rise in new COVID-19 cases in North Texas and across our country fueled by the COVID-19 delta variant. In response, the CDC released new guidance on July 27. Now, I am asking Comets to take the following steps to protect yourselves, your fellow Comets, our families, our friends and members of our larger North Texas community.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-38 prohibits us from mandating vaccines and face coverings for UT Dallas employees, students and members of the public on our campus. However, we strongly encourage all Comets to get vaccinated and wear face coverings as recommended by the CDC.

If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19 vaccines, I urge you to watch these presentations and Q&A sessions, featuring an infectious diseases expert from UT Southwestern, that clearly explain the safety and efficacy of the vaccines available in the U.S. and the risks borne by the unvaccinated.

We are excited to be on the cusp of returning to an active fall semester. Protecting yourself through vaccination and mask wearing is the best way to protect our campus and our community. As always, the latest information on our guidance and resources for campus health and safety can be found on our Comets United webpage.

We look forward to seeing you all soon. Stay safe; stay healthy; and thank you for being Comets United.

Dr. Rafael Martín
Vice President and Chief of Staff