August 10, 2021
Knights care for each other, and we expect all Knights to Armor Up as we approach the start of the fall semester in less than two weeks.
We expect that all members of our community take personal precautions, including wearing masks indoors and getting vaccinated to protect themselves, in accordance with the CDC’s latest guidance. Our plans to return to pre-pandemic operations remain in place and are in alignment with directives from the State of Florida and Florida’s State University System.
Vaccines are our most effective tool in combatting hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, and wearing masks can help prevent the spread of the virus. The choice not to be vaccinated or wear a mask can increase your risk and jeopardize the health and well-being of those around you.
To remind you, here are other precautions and actions to help protect our community:
- Protect Yourself, Get Vaccinated: If you have not been vaccinated and are able to, get vaccinated. There is a vaccine waiting for you. Vaccines are safe, effective and readily available at no cost and by appointment or walk-up at Student Health Services or a location in your community or close to home. Get Vacci-Knighted and protect yourself and those around you.
- Wear Masks Indoors: We expect you to wear masks indoors even if you are fully vaccinated in accordance with CDC guidelines. Masks are an additional layer of protection and reduce the spread of the virus.
- If You Develop Symptoms, Get Tested: Free testing for COVID-19 is available at Garage A for employees when you show your UCF ID. No appointment is needed and walk- or drive-ups are welcome. Additionally, genomic surveillance and wastewater testing will continue to be used to monitor for the presence of the coronavirus, helping to detect possible outbreaks and intervene to prevent further spread.
- Increased Cleaning and Campus HVAC Enhancements: Increased cleaning and daily classroom disinfections will continue, along with access to hand-sanitizing stations. During the pandemic, many touchless faucets, paper-towel dispensers and step-and-pull door openers were installed in high-touch areas. Additionally, HVAC systems across UCF’s campuses also have been upgraded over the past year to mitigate the spread of pathogens through the air.
- COVID Self-Checker and Reporting Positive Cases: The COVID self-checker remains available in the UCF Mobile app and online and is strongly encouraged as a tool for symptom screening. To report that you or someone with whom you’ve had close contact has tested positive for COVID, stay home, avoid others and call the UCF COVID Line (407-823-2509).
- Quarantine and Isolation Procedures: Those who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to isolate, and those who are unvaccinated and are exposed to someone who has tested positive will be asked to quarantine away from UCF. A very limited number of isolation rooms has been reserved for students who have no other place to go. Students in quarantine or isolation will be expected to make up classwork, the same as a student who falls ill from the flu or other illness. Employees who quarantine are expected to work remotely, take sick or annual leave, or apply for Knights Care Leave Share emergency paid leave. Vaccinated persons who are asymptomatic will not need to quarantine but will need to continue to wear a mask and monitor their symptoms.
- In-Person Classes: Any decisions about changing the format of a class must be approved by Academic Affairs. Faculty will be notified if a student will be unable to attend class due to COVID or whether other steps are necessary. Additional information from Academic Affairs is forthcoming.
- In-Person Meetings: In-person meetings and events are allowed at this time, though individual supervisors and organizers have discretion as to the best format for their meeting, including hybrid meetings with an online option.
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to support our students, our mission and one another. As a caring community of Knights, we appreciate everyone doing their part to protect themselves — and each other.
Armor Up!