Fall Semester Updates

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

I hope you are all well and getting ready to begin a new fall semester. We’re just over a week away from the start of classes, and I am looking forward to seeing students and colleagues face to face again and recreating the sense of community we had before the pandemic forced us to work and study remotely. Yes, we will be wearing facemasks, but they will not prevent us from having the strong sense of connections that are a hallmark of UMD campus life. I am proud of the outstanding work and sacrifices of our students, faculty, and staff over the past year and a half. Because of the efforts of many people, UMD has the correct precautions in place for a safe and successful 2021-2022 academic year.

We have a mix of exciting welcome week activities for our new incoming students. In addition, we recognize that additional opportunities to connect with UMD and with other students are important for those Bulldogs who joined our campus community last year. We have invited them to some of our welcome week programs and created a few special opportunities for them, too.

On campus right now, offices and departments are open and ready to welcome students back, fall sports are in motion, facilities management continues to prepare campus for the semester, and much more is happening around campus - all with COVID safety protocols in mind. To highlight one area a bit more, the library has new and improved spaces for you to enjoy. In partnership with ITSS, you'll find enhanced technology, and dining services has launched The Grind coffee kiosk between the library and the re-opened annex, with additional seating.

COVID Updates
Having worked closely with our University of Minnesota System leadership for the past year and a half on our responses to COVID, I know how carefully decisions are being made within the ever shifting landscape of emerging variants and health risks. I support these systemwide decisions, and want you to know that decisions will always be based on state and federal scientific data and advice from University of Minnesota public health and medical experts. We will also stay informed about transmission rates in our local community and requirements from elected officials.

As you have undoubtedly seen in a number of communications, the University’s current policy is to require everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks indoors. As well, upon formal FDA approval of any COVID-19 vaccine, the University will add that COVID-19 vaccine to those already required for students. Faculty and staff will be asked to sign an attestation of vaccination status, and if not vaccinated, to agree to regular testing in the future. We will continue to post updates to our Safe Campus website.

I strongly encourage unvaccinated members of our campus community to get a vaccine wherever you can and as soon as you can. It is the best way to keep ourselves and our communities safe.

You can find information, including locations, about the free COVID-19 vaccine on the Safe Campus website. UMD Health Services is planning to offer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to students by appointment starting sometime in September. Student Life is working with St. Louis County Public Health to offer free vaccine clinics for members of the campus community during move-in and the Student Activities Fair. Details will be shared with the campus community next week and publicized on the UMD Health Services website.

Other COVID vaccine information that you might find useful include:

• Vaccine facts from UMD Health Services’ Dr. Worley (July 26, 2021)
• A series of vaccine messages from Dr. Tolar on the Twin Cities campus including his most recent message with a vaccine Q&A

I continue to be impressed with our campus community, and I appreciate all you have done to remain committed to educational excellence and ensuring a safe campus community. I wish you all a successful semester and hope to see you around campus soon.

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

COVID-19: Facial Coverings Reinstated Indoors

 Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

In just a few weeks, move-in for the fall semester will begin and we will welcome our new incoming class. I am looking forward to this upcoming school year, with hopes of an active, safe, and healthy campus community.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have monitored guidance on public health and safety precautions. As U of M System President Joan Gabel noted in her message earlier today, “We are committed to protecting the health of our community, and to adjusting as new information and circumstances dictate.”

Given the Delta variant, increasing transmission rates, and the advice of our public health experts, effective Tuesday, August 3, the University of Minnesota System is reinstituting a systemwide requirement that all students, staff, faculty, contractors, and visitors wear facial coverings while indoors at all university facilities. Regardless of your vaccination status, your adherence to our University Face Covering Protocol is appreciated and required.

If you are not vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to “Get the Vax” today. Vaccines are highly effective against the Delta variant. Review this Vaccine Q&A for resources and to learn more.

We have made much progress, and while this may be a detour, I am grateful for your participation and cooperation as we all work together to keep our campus safe. Even though our pandemic response plans remain fluid and able to adapt as needed, our commitment to student success remains solid. More information and updates will continue to be posted to our Safe Campus website.

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor