COVID-19 Response at UNT

A StoryMap of the COVID-19 response at the UNT Denton campus in March 2020 and throughout the following school year.

Created by UNT Digital Scholarship Committee for Educational Purposes

July 1, 2021

COVID-19 disrupted quite a lot during the early months of 2020. The novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, led to nationwide lockdowns in March. Students received notification during spring break that those with in-person classes would not be meeting the week of March 16-22, 2020 as originally planned. Instead, classes would resume via online instruction starting March 23. The following StoryMap illustrates the COVID-19 response and changes made throughout the UNT Denton community.

To view photos in their full size, click or tap the photo to enlarge.

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COVID-19 Digital Signage Outside the University Union

In April 2020, this digital sign was one of many across campus listing guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19.

Willis Library Book Drop

The Willis Library book drop contains a laminated sign that reads:

"ATTENTION: We are not accepting book returns at this time. All books have been renewed until May 6, 2020 and no fines will be charged. Please see library.unt.edu for more information."

Eagle Student Services Center

This COVID-19 closure sign in the ESSC from April 2020 lists the services that have moved from in-person services to virtual.

Computer Stations in UNT Union

Green stickers covered computer stations in the UNT Union to reflect social distancing measures.

"We're All in This Together!" COVID-19 Signage in Bruce Hall

Large signs served as reminders to wear masks, social distance, wash hands, notice symptoms, and prevent crowds to mitigate COVID-19 occurrence in the dorms.

"Here, Heroes Wear Masks" COVID-19 Signage in G. Brint Ryan College of Business

This sign shows Scrappy wearing a mask as a reminder to wear face-coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business building.

Distancing Measures in the Mac Lab

In the Mac Lab, social distancing measures included notes on the computer screens.

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, seats were taped over with blue tape to encourage social distancing. Sections and seats with blue tape illustrated the designated locations where students could and could not sit.

In addition to blue tape for social distancing, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer became fixtures in the classroom. This bucket contains materials for students to wipe off the table or desk space.

"Don't Perch Here" became the name of game for maintaining social distancing throughout campus.

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Willis Library study carrels included social distancing notices with important information about procedures and resource accessibility. Those using the carrels were encouraged to keep an empty space between workstations and limit their resources to one area, in addition to washing and sanitizing their hands.

Course reserves became available online and research assistance shifted to email, phone, and texting-based services. Although equipment wasn't available for checkout, materials and ILL could be borrowed using self-checkout machines.

North Texas Donates bins were closed to donations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In the words of Logan Boyd, who donated this photo to UNT Digital Library:

"The donation bins at the UNT Union are currently not accepting donations, because of the covid-19 pandemic. This file is important to me because this would usually be seen as a convenient spot for students to drop off necessary donation items to clean out their space, while also giving items to people in need. This does help to prevent contact with surfaces at the school, which will ultimately help combat the spread. There are still plenty of places around Denton where people can donate their items, it just won’t be in as convenient as a spot."

During summer, UNT departments such as the UNT College of Music sent out information regarding reopening and returning to campus during the 2020-2021 school year.

The UNT community received a notice regarding the reopening of the Pohl Recreation Center in July 2020.

When the Starbucks in the University Union reopened for to-go orders only, green arrows led the way to the pick-up area.

A green sign informed students that the water bottle refill station remained functioning while the water fountain was unavailable.

Wells Fargo in the Union remained closed.

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Masked in the Union

Per University requirements, students throughout the Union wore masks to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Tools for the Job

Key-shaped tools like this helped limit the transmission of germs from high-touch surfaces such as door handles and elevator buttons.

Distancing in the Stands

Green seats throughout Apogee Stadium encouraged social distancing for fans during football games.

Sanitation Stations

In Pohl Recreation Center, this sanitation station encouraged students to clean machines before and after use.

Drive-Thru Testing

This UNT parking garage located at Welsh and Prairie became a testing site.

Available in the Bookstore

Face masks and sanitizer were made available for purchase in the UNT bookstore.

Fritos, Funyuns, & Masks

This vending machine on campus contained face masks for students to buy and use during class.

Eagles, Disassemble

UNT encouraged those returning to campus to maintain distancing and avoid gathering in flocks—rather, groups.

UNT used incentives to encourage students with to get tested for COVID-19 at one of their testing locations. Students who were tested earned a chance to win a $500 scholarship, Apple AirPods, or an Apple Watch Series 3.

Offerings and events that would have been on campus became virtual and the advertisements around campus reflected this change.

This open mic night occurred via Zoom on Monday, October 12, 2020.

Similar to other universities across the country, UNT made notable adjustments to the 2020-2021 academic calendar. These changes meant the elimination of spring break and the inclusion of a no-class day on April 2.

With the last day of class on April 22, students finished the Spring 2021 semester a bit early.

Want to see more student contributions to UNT Digital Library?

Visit the COVID-19 Response series for photos and videos!

COVID-19 Response

Sources

Arellano, Andy. [Key tool and UNT Union entrance], photograph, November 12, 2020;( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1750970/ : accessed June 28, 2021),University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.

Bernadine, Luke. [Masks and hand sanitizer for sale in UNT book store], photograph,November 9, 2020; ( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1750950/ : accessed June 28, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.

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Gieringer, Morgan Davis. [COVID-19 signage in Eagle Student Services Center],photograph, April 2020; ( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1638685/ :accessed June 28, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.

Gieringer, Morgan Davis. [COVID-19 signage at Willis Library book drop], photograph,April 2020; ( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1638690/ : accessed June 28, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.

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Lawless, Austin. [Classroom with cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer], photograph,2020; ( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1750960/ : accessed June 28, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.

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Lawless, Austin. [Student desk with COVID-19 signage], photograph, 2020;( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1750959/ : accessed June 28, 2021),University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.

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Sanchez, Daniel. [Well Fargo bank and COVID-19 signage in UNT Union], photograph,November 16, 2020; ( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1750992/ :accessed June 28, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.