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- Aug. 9, 2021 | Changes Coming to Fall COVID-19 Safety...
- Title:
- Aug. 9, 2021 | Changes Coming to Fall COVID-19 Safety Plans
- Date:
- 2021-08-09
- Category:
- Presidential Memos
- Harvested from:
- https://perma.cc/MET4-JTEW
- Type:
- text
- Digital Format:
- text/html
- Reference Link:
- https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/fridayletter/letters/president_memo_2021-08-09.html
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Aug. 9, 2021 | Changes Coming to Fall COVID-19 Safety Plans
TO: University of Idaho Students, Faculty and Staff
FROM: Scott Green, President
Torrey Lawrence, Provost and Executive Vice President
DATE: Aug. 9, 2021
SUBJECT: Changes Coming to Fall COVID-19 Safety Plans
The Vandal community worked diligently to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic the past 17 months. Many new freedoms have come from the availability of vaccines, but the virus continues to evolve and present new challenges.
Due to new data about the Delta variant, our safety protocols for the start of fall semester are being revised. We are working with Idaho Public Health, Gritman Medical Center and our Board of Regents to finalize the plans. Details will be available Wednesday.
As the CDC continues to tell us, vaccines are the key to beating this virus. They are proven to be safe and effective. Despite this, Idaho still has a low vaccination rate, and the Governor’s Executive Order #2021-04 prohibits any state entity from requiring vaccines. Vaccines are highly recommended but not required at the university. Vandals should be diligent, committed to each other and get vaccinated to have the best chance of success in returning to more traditional operations. Hospitals are seeing an increase in COVID-19 patients, and the number of deaths is also increasing, according to CDC data.
Vaccine sites are readily available across the state, and vaccination is free. U of I will host free vaccination clinics at the start of fall semester; however, unvaccinated people should start the vaccination process immediately so you are more protected for the start of classes.
We are committed to increasing our vaccination rate. All students who show proof of vaccination will receive a $50 gift card to either the VandalStore or Idaho Eats. You will also be entered into a drawing for two $5,000 and 10 $1,000 scholarships. Information about how to receive your gift card and be eligible for the drawing will be sent out in a later communication.
Wash your hands. Stay home if you feel ill. Get vaccinated. Take action so we can do the amazing things that Vandals do.
Keep Calm and Vandal On.
Scott Green
President
president@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/president
Torrey Lawrence
Provost and Executive Vice President
provost@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/provost