草榴社区

chancellor-from
Jan. 5, 2021

Dear 草榴社区 staff and faculty,

Welcome back! It has been great to see many people already returning from the midwinter break. As we look to the next semester and the many changes that are occurring relative to COVID-19, a few things are especially timely.

First, many details have been circulating around the COVID-19 vaccine and its phases and tiers. On Jan. 4, the State of 草榴社区 issued a from Commissioner Adam Crum announcing that 鈥湶萘裆缜鴑s 65 and older can receive vaccinations starting Monday, Jan. 11. Scheduling for those appointments begins Wednesday, Jan. 6.鈥

The announcement provides details on the , recommended by the 草榴社区 Vaccine Allocation Advisory Committee (AVAAC), and it contains information on the current phases and tiers, future phases and tiers, and how to check your eligibility for a vaccination within these phases. The recommendation from the AVAAC applies only to the 鈥渟tate鈥檚 management of the state allocation.鈥

In prior communications, I mentioned that we expected to see our health care and emergency services workers to be vaccinated in the first tier. That is now underway. However, I also mentioned that it was our expectation that 鈥渃ongregate housing鈥 would be an early tier, which would include 草榴社区 residence halls. However, when the state issued its plan, university residences were excluded from congregate housing classification. I understand that this was because the population in university residence halls was considered lower risk. A quick review of the tier structure also names K-12 teachers but not teachers in higher education. Interim President Pitney is working to get clarification and/or reconsideration of these two classifications that don鈥檛 currently include UA. I will update you when more information is available specific to UA but encourage you to get vaccinations when you may otherwise be eligible.

Please continue to practice 6 feet of social distancing, frequent hand-washing, sanitizing of surfaces and wearing a face mask. It is great to be back and will be great to see students start returning next week.

Thanks for choosing 草榴社区.

鈥 Dan White, chancellor
UA