The University of Texas, Texas A&M, and numerous other private and public universities around the state have built portals into their websites in which students can anonymously report others for showing symptoms or not following coronavirus guidelines.
“Students who refuse to follow directives to wear a recommended protective face mask, and/or force class to be cancelled will be referred to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity for disciplinary action. Repeat violations will lead to sanctions including suspension from campus,” UT’s website reads.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) recommends calling the campus police to report large gatherings and using an online form to report individuals who do not adhere to the “Pledge to Protect.”
“Everyone in the SMU community plays an important role in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to the Community Action Network’s Pledge to Protect,” the university’s website reads. “Individuals who choose to put the community at risk will be subject to the Code of Conduct. To report Pledge violations, fill out this form.”
The commonality of these reporting portals and the constant change of university policies between schools makes a complete list of them impossible.
Masks are almost universally required, though schools differ on where and how. Some schools, like Rice University, require masks in and out of doors but not in dorm rooms or other private spaces.
Others, like Abilene Christian University, encourage masks outside and only require them indoors and “in all outside campus areas where 6 feet of social distancing is not possible or where congestion is likely.”
Few colleges have required testing for students to return to campus, Baylor University among them. Some others, such as the University of Houston, require students to take a daily health assessment to evaluate any symptoms or exposure to the infected. The University of Texas (UT) has made testing mandatory for students to attend football games and has made tests free for students. Texas Tech, like many other schools, encourages but does not require testing.
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