COVID-19 IT Resources Page

The health, safety and well-being of the university community is paramount. University officials and medical experts are continuously monitoring and following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Austin Public Health (APH) and other official sources.

In response to the changing COVID-19 situation, the University is preparing technology resources so faculty members have the ability to transition their courses online. Below is a guide for instructors to use in planning this move. Recommended tools are supported campus-wide by the Faculty Innovation Center and Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services. Your college or department staff may support other tools available for you to use. Please move through this guide step-by-step. Pay special attention to the sections that address updating your syllabus and submitting a teaching plan.

This guide will be regularly and continually updated. Please check back daily for content and resource updates.

UT's One Stop for students COVID-19 page.

Students who need computer equipment or reliable internet access for online classes should complete the Student Emergency Fund application, and share specific information about their needs. Review Technology Support for Remote Learning (pdf) for more information and access to IT support.

Canvas course introducing many new online instruction tools.

Student guide for Remote Learning

There are a variety of tools available that enable you to work while not physically on campus. You will find resources on this page that can be used to work remotely during scheduled telecommuting, inclement weather closures, delayed openings, or other emergencies.

Whether it's a normal part of your job or as an alternative if access to campus is temporarily restricted, the ability to work remotely (also known as telecommuting or teleworking) can help keep the University's operations running from afar. Though potentially of great benefit to your department's operations, it's essential that all remote work be performed in a secure computing environment.

Office 365 is a suite of cloud-based services and applications that can be accessed from anywhere or downloaded on multiple devices. It’s way more than Microsoft Office – Office 365 is made of productivity tools dedicated to making communicating, collaborating, and sharing of ideas easier with classmates and colleagues.

Basic and Business phone subscribers may now activate MS Teams Phone Calling Service to receive and place calls using their UT phone number.

The Remote Desktop Gateway (RDG) allows compatible clients to securely access Windows computers on campus using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) remotely without connecting to the UT Virtual Private Network (VPN). The RDG does require two-factor authentication with Duo.

There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Transmission of coronavirus in general occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites. Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.

Apple products are made with a variety of materials, and each material might have specific cleaning requirements. To get started, here are some tips that apply to all products:

• Use only a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, or similar items.
• Avoid excessive wiping, which might cause damage.
• Unplug all external power sources, devices, and cables.
• Keep liquids away from the product, unless otherwise noted for specific products.
• Don't get moisture into any openings.
• Don't use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
• Don't spray cleaners directly onto the item.

Request a Zoom Webinar room.

Guidance on Zoom Privacy and security from the Information Security Office.

Austin Public Health is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and regional public health and healthcare agencies.

Many higher education corporate partners are responding to the needs of college campuses as they deal with the Coronavirus 19. Below is a link to a list of corporations and service providers who are offering free, discounted, or expanded services to higher education institutions transitioning to remote work and online learning during the COVID-19 outbreak. The list is sorted in three tabs including technology, OER, and access service offerings.