Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Several changes to public health guidelines have been made by national and local health and government leaders in the past two weeks due to the wide availability of free vaccines and low COVID-19 case numbers.

• The CDC updated its guidelines for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the new protocol, those who have been vaccinated can resume activities without wearing a mask or socially distancing, where allowed by law and business regulations.
• Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced state employees and visitors to state buildings would no longer be required to wear a mask as of May 15.

Utah County continues to be designated by the state as an area of moderate-level transmission.

Based on the recent health guideline changes and UVU’s low COVID-19 cases, UVU is implementing the following changes:

MASKS: Reflective of new CDC guidelines, beginning Monday, May 24, masks will be recommended in UVU facilities but no longer required. Utah County remains at a moderate transmission level, and masks are recommended for those who are not fully vaccinated. As a mask-friendly campus, individuals may choose to wear a mask in any setting. Remember, we are inclusive at UVU and ask that such personal decisions be met with respect and compassion.

Per health guidelines, UVU may require masks and/or social distancing at large gatherings and specific events and work environments. Further, UVU will comply with all local government and state requirements as conditions potentially change.

VACCINES: Free vaccines are available to all students, faculty, staff, and their immediate family members at UVU in the Pope Science Building atrium and are also readily available throughout Utah. We strongly encourage members of our campus community to become vaccinated against COVID-19. Doing so will allow us to move forward with goals to return to a pre-pandemic status.

SOCIAL DISTANCING: Three feet is now the CDC-recommended distance in classroom settings. 

TESTING: Free COVID-19 testing will continue to be available throughout the summer semester. Testing will also take place in the Pope Science Building atrium.

STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK: To protect everyone on campus and in our community, please stay home if you are not feeling well. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus, please complete the self-reporting form. It is also essential to continue to practice good hygiene while on campus. 

Thank you for your efforts these past many months to provide a safe learning and working environment. The health and safety of UVU students, faculty, and staff continue to be a top priority.

We look forward to continuing the transition toward a greater sense of normalcy with more opportunities to interact, participate in engaged-learning experiences, and enjoy the events and traditions that we have all missed.

 

Sincerely,

 

Wayne Vaught

Provost

Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

 

Val Peterson

Vice President of Administration and Strategic Relations