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Aug. 17, 2021
Dear staff, faculty and students,Ìý
I want to thank the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø faculty, staff and students for taking measures to combat
the COVID-19 pandemic. As I walk around campus, I see 100% compliance with the face
covering policy. Thank you!Ìý
To date, 1,308 employees and students have voluntarily attested that they have received
the COVID-19 vaccine and 8 attested that they have not. Awesome! I’d like to recognize
the employees at our Northwest Campus in Nome, where 61% have confirmed that they
are vaccinated. Let’s keep that number moving in a positive direction. Sleeves up,
Nooks!
I encourage everyone to fill out our . This will give us a better understanding of our vaccination rates and help inform
decision making (and there are prizes!).
As I mentioned in last week’s column, we have been actively considering expanding
the Kuskokwim Campus’ residential COVID-19 vaccination requirement to all ²ÝÁñÉçÇø single-student
housing (residence halls) as well as intercollegiate athletes. We have also been engaged
in an active discussion about vaccine requirements for other categories of employees,
such as those traveling with intercollegiate athletics, and those traveling internationally.Ìý
Because of the increased COVID-19 risk from competition inherent to intercollegiate
sports, the associated travel, and the COVID rules and policies of our competitors,
²ÝÁñÉçÇø athletics is unique in many regards. After communication with the team physician,
and with the support of athletic director Brock Anundson, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø will now require that
intercollegiate athletes be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved waiver.
COVID-19 waivers may be granted for medical reasons or based on a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. While the requirement is being conveyed today, students will have until Oct. 29 to
either provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved waiver. We will continue
to discuss the possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for traveling athletics
staff, including coaches and trainers.
This week, our students begin moving into the residence halls. As part of that process,
they are required to attest to their vaccination status. Early indications suggest
that greater than 80% of the students entering residence halls are either arriving
vaccinated or are receiving a vaccination in the Student Health and Counseling Center.
That is great! This appears to demonstrate a high fidelity to vaccination and protection
against the serious impacts of the virus. Due to what appears to be a high rate of
vaccination already, we will wait the remainder of this week to make a determination
on vaccine requirements for the residence halls. If the majority of residential students
attest to being vaccinated, we will likely not need to mandate a COVID-19 vaccine
for ²ÝÁñÉçÇø residential students at this time.Ìý
If the data available at the end of this week do not demonstrate high rates of vaccination
among residential students, we will revisit a vaccine requirement. If at some point
a vaccination requirement is put in place, we will provide ample time and accommodation
for students to provide verification of vaccination, get vaccinated for free at the
Student Health and Counseling Center, or request a waiver.Ìý
If you aren’t already fully vaccinated, we are offering two free vaccination clinics this week. Stop by the tent in front of Constitution Hall between
10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 18 and 19, to get the first dose of
the Pfizer vaccine. The second dose will be available in the Akasofu Building lobby on Thursday, Sept. 9.
Rolling up our sleeves and getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to keep Nanook
Nation healthy!
Thank you for choosing ²ÝÁñÉçÇø.Ìý
— Dan White, chancellor
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