March 27, 2020

Dear Cougar Families,

I hope this communication finds your families safe and healthy.

Due to COVID-19 we continue to live and work in uncharted territory. I want you to know that the University of Houston is dedicated to the academic success of our students, as well as to their physical and mental wellbeing.

The University continues to move quickly as events unfold during these uncertain times. This includes actions taken to comply with the Stay Home, Work Safe order issued by Harris County, which includes Houston, on Tuesday, March 24, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. This order is in place through April 3. Measures the University has already taken allow us to easily comply with this order and protect the safety of faculty, staff and students.

A comprehensive list of changes the University has implemented can be found on UH’s COVID-19 website. I encourage you to consult this website regularly for the latest updates. Here, I want to share with you some of these decisions made by University leadership.

Here are some important updates:

• As remote online instruction continues, all UH campuses will expand social distancing efforts by reducing or modifying programs and support services. On-campus functions will be limited to supporting essential services;
• The M.D. Anderson Library will be closed effective March 25 and until further notice, including computer labs. Students in need of computer access should consult the UH Remote Learning website for resources available;
• Student Housing & Residential Life expects to remain open until the end of the Spring semester; however, we are encouraging students who can go home safely to do so until the Stay-at-Home order is lifted;
• An interim Undergraduate Grade Policy has been enacted, which will allow undergraduates to choose a letter grade that counts toward their GPA if they received a D- or above, or choose an “S” satisfactory if they passed the class, or take an “NCR” no credit recorded if they did not pass the class. The “S” and “NCR” will not impact their GPA. Students may make different grade choices for different classes.

The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services will continue to serve students remotely, via phone, email or online chats. Many services now offer virtual options, including live chats for career counseling, teletherapy sessions from Counseling and Psychological Services, telehealth from the Student Health Center and online workouts from Campus Recreation.

We have posted a summary of how to access services on our website.

Although this is a challenging time, I am confident that the Cougar Nation will persevere. The University of Houston’s faculty and staff remain committed to ensuring student success despite the circumstances.

Please take care of yourself and your families.

Sincerely,