To the University of Miami Community,
In just a few short weeks, our campuses will spring to life with an energy that is emblematic of the start of a new academic year. We look forward to welcoming your return to campus, but we do so with the realization that COVID-19 infections around the world and here in South Florida have been on the rise.
Throughout the pandemic, our public health protocols—which have been both adaptive and responsive—have been guided by recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and our own infectious disease experts. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 Delta variant is more contagious than other known strains of the virus. Vaccination and, in some environments, mask-wearing, are important measures to protect against virus transmission. The combination of the two together have been shown to be an effective preventative to the virus.
This fall semester is far different than the last. We enter this new academic year with a wealth of experience and knowledge gained over the past year and a half. We have demonstrated that with face coverings and attention to air circulation and filtration, prevention of in-classroom transmission is possible. With increased vaccine availability, required vaccination for faculty and staff, and regular testing for unvaccinated individuals, we are using all the tools at our disposal to help keep our community safe. Our protocols—based on science and evidence—are among the most robust and comprehensive. As it was last year, we are confident that our campus environment, both inside and outside the classroom, will be safe.
Below you will find information for the Coral Gables and Marine campuses to help you prepare for a successful fall semester at the U. (Members of the Medical Campus should continue to follow the latest UHealth/Miller School guidelines, issued July 29.)
KEY UPDATES:
-
Vaccination: Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly encouraged for students and required for faculty and staff, with limited exceptions. Anyone who is not vaccinated or who has not provided proof of vaccination will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing at least once per week. [Please see below for more details.]
-
Proof of vaccination: Students should upload vaccination documentation to MyUHealthChart. Employees must ensure their vaccination status is updated in Workday no later than Aug. 8. [Please see below for more details.]
-
Testing: Students who live on campus will be required to test at an on-campus testing site within 24 hours of move-in, regardless of vaccination status. Any student who is not vaccinated or who has not provided proof of vaccination will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing at least once per week. [Please see below for more details.]
-
Masking: Consistent with CDC guidelines, face covers will be required in all indoor public spaces, including classrooms, regardless of vaccination status. Outdoor masking is strongly encouraged when congregating in large groups. We will revisit these requirements as more members of our community get vaccinated and the pandemic evolves.
-
Quarantine/isolation: Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to quarantine/isolate off campus. Housing and Residential Life will work with resident students to provide or identify off-campus accommodations for the duration of the quarantine/isolation period.
-
Town halls: To address questions from the University community, we will hold virtual town hall meetings on Aug. 10 for the Medical Campus community, and on Aug. 11 for Coral Gables and Marine campus faculty, staff, students, and families. An email invitation will be sent this week.
DETAILED GUIDELINES: Vaccination and proof of vaccination:
-
Students are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to safeguard their health and the health of all members of our University and South Florida communities.
-
Students vaccinated outside of UHealth should upload a copy of their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to their MyUHealthChart account. Any student who is not fully vaccinated or who has not provided proof of vaccination will be required to take a COVID-19 test at least once per week.
-
Any student who is vaccinated and provides proof of vaccination will have an opportunity to win prizes during the fall semester. Additional details regarding this program will be shared soon.
-
Faculty, staff, and postdoctoral associates employed by the University on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to medical and religious exemptions.
-
Vaccine booths will be available on the Coral Gables Campus Aug. 17-20 and Aug. 23-26 for any student, faculty, or staff member who wishes to receive COVID-19 shots.
-
Additionally, employees can schedule a COVID-19 vaccine at the Walgreens in UHealth Tower (1400 NW 12th Ave.). Appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at no charge. Call 305-702-9066 to make an appointment.
Testing:
-
Arrival testing: Students who live on campus will be required to test at the Pavia Garage testing site within 24 hours of checking in to on-campus housing, regardless of vaccination status.
-
Walk-up testing will be available at the Pavia Garage testing site. Testing site hours of operation will be provided as part of the move-in process.
-
Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days prior to move-in and who have provided proof of the positive test result to Student Health Service are exempt from arrival testing.
-
Surveillance testing: Any student who is not vaccinated or who has not provided proof of vaccination will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing at least once per week beginning the first week of fall semester classes.
-
Individuals required to participate in weekly testing will receive email and/or text message scheduling alerts and reminders.
We are eager to welcome our University community back to campus for the start of the fall semester. But the pandemic is still with us, and so we must take these public health measures to ensure a safe campus experience for everyone at the U.
We are committed to updating and revising our policies and guidelines as new information becomes available and we will communicate any changes. For the latest COVID-19 information and resources, visit coronavirus.miami.edu.
’Canes care for ’Canes. Let us all work together, in that spirit, to look out for one another and to safeguard not only our own health, but the health of all members of our ’Canes community |
|
|
|
