Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I always like it that this is called “spring” as we enjoy more daylight everyday and look ahead to spring temperatures. I’d like to start off by welcoming the new students, faculty and staff who are joining our campus community. We are pleased to have you with us.
Last semester, I saw so much creativity from our campus as we adjusted how we teach and learn during a pandemic. From Dr. Margaret Elmer-Dixon in Physics & Astronomy taking to the football field to work on trajectory predictions, to Tom Isbell in Theatre taking an entire theatre production outside, we continue to provide great learning experiences. As we look ahead to this new semester, I am confident that we will continue to find new and innovative ways to learn, teach, work, and engage with each other.
I'm very proud that we were able to keep COVID-19 numbers under control last semester and I hope that we have the same track record this semester. Each of us has a role to play in order to keep each other safe and healthy. We must all continue to practice health and safety measures such as properly wearing a face covering, physical distancing, washing hands regularly, and monitoring our own health.
We made a number of updates to our UMD Safe Campus COVID-19 website. Please continue to check this updated website for the most recent resources and COVID-related information.
- To help students navigate the steps to take if they have symptoms, are exposed to COVID-19, or test positive, please follow the steps on this student decision tree.
- UMD has applied to be a site for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. In preparation for receiving approval, we are currently working on a phased approach for access to the vaccine for students, faculty, and staff that follows guidelines developed at the federal and state level. In this graphic from the MN Department of Health, you can learn more about when you will get the vaccine. We have also added a vaccine page to our COVID-19 website, which will be updated as needed.
I wish you all a great semester and hope to see your faces soon.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
