UGA Campus Update
Fall 2021 News for Students
A Message from Victor K. Wilson, Vice President for Student Affairs It is so exciting to be on campus for another fall semester at UGA! Thank you, our amazing students, for continuing to serve your community, excel in your studies, and support your well-being and the well-being of others. As always, you make me proud!
As we head toward Labor Day weekend, in addition to getting vaccinated and taking the basic steps that help us prevent illness (hand hygiene, distancing, face coverings, etc.), we also encourage you to consider approaches for safe activity and travel.
The CDC offers specific guidelines and FAQs on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, as does the Georgia Department of Public Health. The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and stay vigilant. If traveling, the same good health practices apply, but additional examples of items to consider might be:
Of course, these guidelines apply whether you are traveling for vacation, going home for a few days, or staying in Athens or on campus. Each of us has an important part to play in keeping our families and home communities safe, as well as our campus and university community when we return.
Have a restful and safe weekend! Georgia Strong. Dawg Strong.
Have You Answered the Call to Get Vaccinated? You Can Win $1,000! Current UGA faculty, staff and students who have received a full series of the COVID-19 vaccine—whether at the University Health Center or elsewhere—can register beginning today to win one of 100 cash prizes of $1,000.
Not vaccinated yet? It’s not too late. Individuals vaccinated in the coming weeks will be able to add their names to the pool as soon as they receive their second dose (or single dose of J&J).
The first 50 winners will be drawn on Sept. 15 with 25 additional winners being drawn on Sept. 30 and Oct. 15. Faculty and staff winners will be processed through UGA’s payroll and taxed accordingly, and those at senior leadership levels (University Cabinet members and deans) will not be eligible to participate. Students will be provided the aid through their student accounts.
Vaccine incentives driving increased participation at UGA Participation in the University Health Center’s COVID-19 vaccination program has more than doubled in recent weeks, spurred in part by the additional incentives recently announced for University of Georgia students, faculty and staff.
Over the last six weeks, nearly 1,500 individuals have been vaccinated at the University Health Center and walk-up clinics at the Tate Student Center offered in partnership with the local office of the Georgia Department of Public Health. About two-thirds of those appointments have been booked since UGA announced new incentives, including the opportunity to win a cash prize of $1,000.
Get Vaccinated On Campus The University Health Center is partnering with the Georgia Department of Public Health to administer COVID-19 vaccines at the Tate Center. Walk-ups are available this week from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Sept. 2 in room 137.
Vaccinations are also available at the UHC. Click here to make an appointment. Getting your vaccine is fast, easy and at no cost to you.
Faculty, staff and students who get vaccinated at the University Health Center or Tate Center Mobile Clinic may choose to enter a drawing to win a Visa gift card worth $100. This incentive ends Sept. 3, with 10 individuals being randomly selected each week to receive a $100 gift card. In addition, everyone vaccinated will receive a $20 gift card as well as a specially designed UGA T-shirt. While supplies last, options include gift cards to the UGA Bookstore, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Fully Loaded and El Barrio.
Gift card and T-shirt incentives are for new vaccinations only. Share the word with friends and colleagues!
Face Coverings Strongly Encouraged Indoors Please remember that face coverings are strongly encouraged when inside buildings on the UGA campus.
Any students who want cloth face coverings can pick them up at no cost at Information Desks in the Tate Student Center and the Miller Learning Center.
Pursuant to state and University System of Georgia rules, students and employees cannot be asked for proof of their vaccination status. Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals should not be treated differently unless dictated by law or applicable guidance. In addition, students should not be asked about their vaccine status and segregated in a classroom or from other instructor-student interactions (e.g., office hours, group work, field trips, labs, etc.) based on their vaccination status.
However, students may be required by off-campus partnering organizations to wear masks and/or be vaccinated as a condition of participation in experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad programs, externships and delivery of medical services.
Off campus, masks are required indoors in Athens-Clarke County. As of 8 a.m. on Wed., Aug. 4, masks are required when indoors for most people while inside public spaces or private entities with limited exceptions. Click here for more details.
Face Coverings Required on Buses The University of Georgia Transportation & Parking Services team is making a concerted effort to ensure masks are worn on our University buses. A few examples of the efforts that are being made include:
Please know Transportation staff continuously remind patrons to follow public health guidelines.
DawgCheck DawgCheck is UGA’s easy-to-use, COVID-19 reporting tool for the UGA community.
When should you use DawgCheck?
Why should you use DawgCheck?
COVID-19 Testing UGA will continue to offer free asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 to all members of the UGA community at the University Health Center. Based on CDC and DPH guidance, any individual, vaccinated or not, should get tested if they have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 within 3 to 5 days of that contact. Appointments for asymptomatic testing can be booked via the Vet View scheduling process. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your provider. Students may obtain symptomatic testing at UHC, but faculty and staff should contact their primary care provider or the local department of health for testing.
Asymptomatic testing is conducted outdoors where social distance may be maintained. Symptomatic students must enter the UHC for testing and are directed to waiting rooms designated for sick patients. Appointments are encouraged, and students should visit the patient portal to schedule or call the health center.
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