Presidential Communications

 

 

April 7, 2021

Greetings TTUHSC Students and Team Members,

As we move past the one-year anniversary of transitioning university operations and academics off campus, I want to thank all of our students and team members for your efforts throughout the pandemic. It took all of us working together as ONE TEAM to implement the changes to academic instruction, clinical services, and operational activities necessary to respond to COVID-19.

As we plan for the 2021-2022 academic year, we are optimistic in the decreasing coronavirus positivity rate and hospitalizations statewide, while also seeing increased vaccine availability.

Effective August 1, 2021, we will return to 100% capacity on our campuses for clinical services, academics, and all other campus-based operations, in accordance with direction from the Texas Tech University System.

With our experiences in learning how to operate with protocols in place, coupled with vaccine availability, we believe that we can fully return to on-campus operations, academic instruction, and clinical services while still offering a safe environment.

Over the next few months, under the direction of our Chief Health Officer, Dr. Ron Cook, university leadership will work to update our SAFE protocols, balancing increased campus operations with appropriate safety measures. This will include building access, campus space usage, events, travel, and other on-campus operations.

We will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and local public health experts. If circumstances change, we will pivot to reduced on-campus operations as appropriate.

I am very proud of the accomplishments our great university has achieved over the past 14 months. Everyone stepped up to the challenges associated with the pandemic, discovered innovative ways to continue to fulfill our mission, and supported the communities we serve.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

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