We are continuing to plan for a relatively normal school year. However, the alarming increase in COVID spread in many parts of the country—including right here in Lincoln—along with the new recommendations from the CDC and the local health department, means that we have to make some adjustments at the start of the academic year.
While vaccination remains the most effective means to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect people from serious illness, Union is not requiring that all students be vaccinated. However, we do strongly encourage you to get the vaccine to protect yourself and those around you.
Based on continued research into new COVID variants, the CDC now recommends everyone should wear masks indoors at colleges where not everyone is vaccinated. Our local health department concurs. Vaccinated people have a very small chance of getting seriously ill from COVID, but can still spread it to the unvaccinated.
So Union’s COVID Team has decided to implement two new things to start the school year:
- Voluntary vaccination registry—if we know how many have been vaccinated, we can make better decisions to keep campus safe. If enough people are vaccinated, we can eliminate other ways of containing COVID. Register your vaccination here!
- Temporary mask mandate—Union will require everyone to wear a face mask indoors (unless you are by yourself in an office or with your roommate in your room) from now until September 5. At that point, the COVID team will evaluate the number of COVID cases on campus and vaccination totals to determine if we can remove the mandate.
Plus, the Campus Health department has added a telehealth service for students—which means you can meet with a health care provider virtually any time you need it to receive health care advice and deal with illness. You’ll be receiving more information in the next couple of weeks.
Having to wear masks again is as disappointing to me as I’m sure it is to you! However, this seems like a small price to pay to ensure we can run our normal activities safely this school year. Remember, the best way to protect yourself and our campus is to get vaccinated! Vaccination is free and you can make an appointment at a convenient location at vaccines.gov.
God has protected Union throughout the pandemic, and I trust He will continue to lead us to a great 2021-2022 academic year! I look forward to seeing you soon.
Blessings to you,
Vinita Sauder