Aug. 4 Update on Fall Semester
Dear Niner Nation,
We are looking forward to the start of the new academic year. With the launch of a new strategic plan and a new brand for our University, it’s sure to be an exciting one for us! However, the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases as a result of the delta variant reminds us that we are still in a pandemic, and caution and vigilance are required.
There is nothing more important than the health of our campus community. It has and continues to be paramount in all of our decisions.
If the fight against COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that things can and will change. With that in mind, we are making some adjustments to our safety protocols for the start of the fall semester.
All of these changes are in place until further notice, but we will continue to assess local and state conditions and adjust as necessary.
Face coverings
As previously announced, effective Aug. 2, face coverings are required in all indoor spaces on campus, regardless of your vaccination status. There will be only rare exceptions to this requirement, such as when students are in their personal residence hall rooms or when employees are in their personal offices.
Testing of unvaccinated individuals
If you are not vaccinated, you will be required to participate in a robust testing program this fall.
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Residential students — You will not be able to move into your residence hall without providing proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or a negative test result. You will also be required to participate in wastewater-based surveillance testing.
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Non-residential face-to-face students and all in-person employees — You must submit a negative test result prior to the start of fall classes and participate in weekly mitigation testing.
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Failure to comply with these requirements will result in a loss of NinerNet credentials and could result in further disciplinary action.
More information on the testing requirements is available on the Niner Nation Cares website. Please review the details carefully. Individuals qualifying for testing protocols will receive additional instructions directly via email by Wednesday, Aug. 11.
Vaccinations
I implore you to get vaccinated. It is the most effective way to end this pandemic and associated restrictions — as individuals, as a campus and as a community at large. Vaccination provides protection from getting the virus and significantly reduces your chances of developing severe symptoms if you do have a breakthrough case.
- If you are already vaccinated, submit the reporting form with the appropriate documentation to be exempt from requirements for the daily Niner Health Check and testing.
- You can find resources for locating a shot on the Niner Nation Cares website. We will also host two on-campus Pfizer vaccine clinics later this month:
Staying updated
The Niner Nation Cares website has been updated with more information about what to expect for the fall for both students and employees. Please review this information carefully.
Thank you for your ongoing patience and flexibility as we continue to navigate this process together. We will keep you updated as we receive further guidance from public health officials, so please pay close attention to your University email in the days ahead.
If we all do our part to keep ourselves and others safe, my hope is we will soon see a positive change in infection rates both locally and nationally.
Thank you for doing all you can to protect Niner Nation and ensure we have a successful, healthy fall semester.
Sincerely,
Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor