January 4, 2022
I hope each of you was able to rest and recharge over winter break, and we all wish you the very best in 2022. In spite of the continued challenges imposed by COVID-19, I have tremendous optimism for this new year, and we all look forward to welcoming you back to campus next week.
Classes will begin on Monday, January 10 as scheduled, and we look forward to the start of another successful semester. UCF’s faculty and staff are committed to providing you with the best educational experience possible.
We understand that you may have questions as we work through the effects the Omicron variant of COVID-19 may have on our campuses. So first and foremost, we ask for patience, kindness and empathy for your fellow students and for our faculty and staff. I know everyone is doing the best they can under the circumstances, and we should continue to give each other grace whenever possible.
As we are learning to live with the virus, university leadership continues to be in constant communication with health officials, medical experts, the State University System and the Florida Board of Governors. Initial reports suggest that this wave of the virus will be shorter in duration and most who are fully vaccinated and boosted have a reduced risk of severe illness or hospitalization.
How we are addressing COVID-19 for Spring 2022:
- UCF continues to expect masking indoors
- UCF continues to strongly encourage and offer vaccinations and boosters to those who are able to receive them
- UCF continues to offer hand-sanitizer stations and mask distribution throughout our campuses
- UCF continues to operate the COVID Line, 407-823-2509, for those who test positive for COVID-19
- UCF is encouraging students, faculty and staff who feel sick to stay home
This is a continually evolving situation and, as we have all seen, things can change quickly. For this reason, I ask for your continued patience and flexibility as new information emerges and the environment shifts. We will get through this together with care and compassion for each other.
Over the coming week you will receive communications further detailing procedures and COVID-19 guidance for the Spring semester. Thank you for your flexibility, diligence and dedication to your studies throughout the pandemic.
We cannot predict the future when it comes to the virus, but we can stay true to ourselves. We will continue Knight Nation’s long tradition of optimism and resilience; together, we will tackle whatever comes next.
Sincerely,
Alexander N. Cartwright, Ph.D.
President