Presidential Communications

 

 

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

With the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) being at the forefront of many individuals' concerns, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center continues to closely monitor continuing developments. We encourage members of our university community to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, as a reliable source for information on this issue. Access to the most current information will be critical as this is an evolving situation, with the health and scientific communities learning more as this disease continues to develop. 

Your health is our top priority. Accordingly, it is necessary for us all to take appropriate precautions. Currently, TTUHSC travel policy (TTUHSC OP 79.04) requires prior approval from the President's Office for all university employee sanctioned foreign travel. Additionally, such travel is prohibited to countries in which there is an elevated travel advisory warning by the U.S. Department of State. 

Expanding on this, I have directed that the policy be revised to prohibit university-related travel to countries that are designated with a CDC Travel Health Notice - Warning Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel). This currently includes China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran. Student foreign travel for school-related purposes is regulated by these same parameters as further explained on the Office of Global Health's website and under TTUHSC OP 10.29.   

It is of the utmost importance that all faculty, staff, and students traveling abroad for university-related purposes contact the Office of Global Health to ensure that they have followed all approval processes. Additionally, upon request, this office will provide them with updated information on travel advisory levels per the U.S. Department of State and the CDC as information may change leading up to a trip.  

We will continue to work with university leadership in providing standardized guidance concerning COVID-19 and to provide additional information and recommendations in addressing related concerns. Please refer to the Questions and Answers provided at the link below.  These will be updated as we learn about continuing developments.

Thank you for your immediate attention and cooperation.

View the frequently asked questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D.
Interim President
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center