Last update: 9/28/2021 @ 5:26 p.m.
Check the main COVID-19 page for latest news announcements.
In addition to the FAQ below, information and resources for students and for staff, faculty and other academic personnel are available. If you have question that isn't answered here on the other UW FAQs, please let us know at uwttownhall@uw.edu.
Prevention, health and vaccines
You can spread COVID-19 without having symptoms, which is why getting vaccinated is critically important.
COVID-19 spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and particles expelled when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings while in close contact with another person.
Additionally, these small droplets and particles linger in the air and infect people who are more than 6 feet away. This is more likely to happen in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, particularly when the infected person is exercising, singing or doing other activity that causes them to breathe heavily.
If you are not vaccinated, diligently follow the three Ws — wearing masks, watching our physical distances and washing our hands — and avoiding crowded indoor spaces.
Learn more: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “How COVID-19 Spreads.” .
COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Loss of taste or smell
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you have any of these symptoms, stay home and get tested – even if you are vaccinated.
If you test positive, notify the UW COVID-19 Response and Prevention Team at covidehc@uw.edu or 206-616-3344.
All Washington residents age 12 and up are now eligible to be vaccinated at no cost. Appointments available at UW Medicine and many other providers. Learn more.
If you are sick with any potential illness, you must stay home.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 infection are fever, cough and shortness of breath. The CDC also maintains a list of possible COVID-19 symptoms that you should review. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you need to take additional steps to take care of yourself and protect your loved ones:
- Contact your healthcare provider and ask if you should be tested for COVID-19. UW Tacoma students can also contact Franciscan Prompt Care at St. Joseph. To protect the health of others, do NOT visit a doctor’s office, urgent care clinic or other health facility unless you’ve talked with them in advance about possibly having COVID-19.
- Notify the COVID-19 Response & Prevention Team: covidehc@uw.edu or 206-616-3344 as soon as your healthcare provider confirms or suspects COVID-19.
- Follow public health guidelines to help you recover and protect loved ones from getting sick. These actions include staying home and physically separate from anyone who lives with you, wearing a face covering if you have to be around people, and being stringent about hygiene. You can learn more from Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health and the Washington State Department of Health.
This is can be a stressful, difficult time for everyone. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Students can access support through Counseling & Psychological Services at UW Tacoma.
UW employees can access support through CareLink.
Washington residents can also call or text Washington Listens at 1-833-681-0211, M–F from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Language access services are available, and TTY can be accessed by dialing 7-1-1 or preferred method.
You can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and following public health guidelines.
Additionally, you can protect yourself and your community by opting in to receive notifications of potential COVID-19 exposures on your smartphone through the Washington Exposure Notifications – WA Notify app.
We will soon be offering self-administered tests through the Husky Coronavirus Testing program, powered by the Seattle Flu Study – the group that was the first to report community spread of COVID-19 in the United States. Enrollment is encouraged for all students, faculty and staff who will be on campus regularly. Kits will be available at the University Y Student Center, and hours for kit pick-up will be posted soon.
We depend on people to report when they have confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Peoples’ identities are closely protected and disclosed only on a need-to-know basis, such as a public health response, HR actions, and unit management. Once we receive someone’s report, we take the following steps to protect the health and safety of our campus communities:
- We document the person’s symptoms, where they’ve spent time on campus recently and any close contacts, such as anyone who was within 6 feet of the person for a cumulative total of at least 15 minutes during a 24-hour period (even if both people wore masks).
- We conduct a risk assessment, which helps us decide on a specific action plan. Our actions may include any or all of the following:
- We help the person understand how to take care of themselves and others by staying home and physically apart from other people.
- If needed, we notify the person’s academic and/or work unit and provide information about actions that will be taken to prevent the virus’s spread.
- We notify people who were in close contact with the person as far back as 48 hours before they developed symptoms.
- If the person spent time on campus recently, we evaluate and coordinate enhanced cleaning and disinfection of those areas following CDC guidelines.
- If the person spent time in a work space on campus recently, we notify coworkers and others who have also been in that space and share information about steps we’re taking to prevent the virus’s spread.
More information about how the UW responds to cases of COVID-19 in the University community is available from UW Environmental Health & Safety.
UW Tacoma Student Health Services is offered through Franciscan Prompt Care at St. Joseph and continues to be open regular hours. Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care is available 24/7 for students.
Additional FAQ on Prevention and Personal Health
Classes and academics
We look forward to safely returning for in-person instruction and activities this autumn. As part of a public research university, we’re fortunate to have experts in medicine and public health who’ve been studying the pandemic from its beginning. We understand much more about the virus now than when it emerged, and Washington state’s vaccination levels are trending in a very positive direction.
You can check the Tacoma time schedule, which indicates which courses are being taught in person or remotely.
A small percentage of courses may be canceled and removed from students’ schedules because of a range of factors, from instructor availability to course demand. If that happens, you may be notified of changes through an auto-generated email from the Office of the Registrar or an email from a department chair, faculty member or advisor. To replace a course, contact your advisor and continue using tools such as MyPlan and MyUW.
Advisors can also help if the removal of a specific course creates challenges for you to reach an upcoming milestone like graduation, applying to a major, declaring a minor or preparing to pursue graduate/professional study.
Students can access courses in Canvas by visiting canvas.uw.edu or by clicking on the Canvas LMS link in the Quick Links box the MyUW site. Additionally, we recommend downloading the Canvas app from the app store on your mobile phone. Faculty members not using the Canvas learning management system will contact students with instructions.
While the UW Tacoma Library's physical facilities are currently closed, it provides a range of remote learning services for students and faculty such as 24/7 chat services, interlibrary loan (for electronic articles and materials only), and research consultations offered through Zoom. For the most current information, visit the UW Tacoma Library COVID-19 Updates page.
There is a great page of resources and tips published by UW Tacoma's Digital Learning office:
While the UW Tacoma Library's physical facilities remain closed, it provides a range of remote learning services for students and faculty such as 24/7 chat services, interlibrary loan (for electronic articles and materials only), and research consultations offered through Zoom. For the most current information, visit the UW Tacoma Library COVID-19 Updates page.
Yes, the Tacoma branch of the University Bookstore re-opened on September 15.
Students should check with their instructors first on the materials required for class. Many instructors are choosing e-books and other online materials this quarter, however not all texts are available as e-books. The UW Tacoma Library is also proactively purchasing e-books for course texts, when available, but there may be limits on the number of simultaneous users. If you require a physical copy of the book, you can order from the University Bookstore.
Currently enrolled students may borrow laptops, wifi hotspots and other technology by contacting the UW Tacoma IT Helpdesk.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
Students experiencing hardship are encouraged to connect with the UW Tacoma Office of Student Financial Aid. Emergency aid is available to help enrolled students with unexpected needs such as emergency medical costs, housing expenses, family emergencies, loss of income, and other situations.
Yes. The Pantry has implemented a pre-order, pre-packaged bag model that is in alignment with the practices of other local food banks and food pantries. In addition, to better meet the needs of our students in this time, pre-packaged bags will include 15 food items instead of the usual limit of 10 food items.
Students should order online ahead of time for pre-packaged bagsfor pick up or delivery. Students can pre-select omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher bags and provide any specific instructions regarding food allergies or a desire to also receive hygiene items. Delivery may be available within a 30-mile radius of campus.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. For more information about the UW disbursement of these funds, see the UW CARES Act FAQ.
Phishing emails are being received regarding CARES funding, do not provide personal information like your Social Security number or bank account information. You should only provide or update personal information through MyUW. The UW will use the information you have provided in MyUW to communicate with you or disburse aid to you.
Housing and Student Life
Court 17 Apartments will be open for Autumn 2021 with reduced capacity to facilitate physical distancing. Students who have applied to live on campus will receive communications regarding next steps in the assignment process from Housing & Residence Life, including information about room assignments and the use of community spaces.
New students can get their Husky card through the UW Tacoma Online Husky Card Submission Portal. Follow the instruction to upload your photo, documentation and personal information. Husky Cards will be printed and mailed to the address provided within 10 business days. There is no fee for getting your Husky Card.
To get started you will need: Name, Student ID number, Current mailing address, email, color photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc), current color photo for ID.
For questions contact the Office of the Registrar at reguwt@uw.edu. We cannot offer any in-person services at this time.
Technology
Yes, UW Zoom Pro accounts will continue to be available through the coming academic year, and they are available to all instructors, staff and students at no cost. You can access Zoom using your UW NetID at https://washington.zoom.us/
UW Tacoma IT has developed several remote-access and cloud-based “virtual lab” environments to accommodate courses with specialized software needs. Contact your instructor for specific information about how this will be accomplished.