Faculty, Staff and Students,

In keeping with our ongoing commitment to remain transparent in our COVID-19 response, I wanted to share with you today a summary of a faculty Town Hall, hosted this morning by Provost DiPaola.

The Provost said the frequency of these meetings would depend on the amount of questions he received regarding various issues. This morning, he addressed the COVID response, how we plan to continue to have a safe semester, and the timeline of the next Strategic Plan.

In this space, I would just like to focus on the COVID and safety responses, as there were clarifications of a few items that may have at first been confusing. However, I also suggest everyone go and watch the video for themselves.

Provost DiPaola made sure to clarify a few points, including:

• His START team is continuing to meet weekly to review University plans in a scientific manner. In the past, this group sometimes met daily, he said.
• We will continue to reinforce that increasing the number of vaccinated individuals is the best defense against the virus, and the best way to return to normal operations.
• Everyone, including those who are vaccinated, must wear masks in indoor common areas of campus facilities. Masks provide another layer of protection for you and others. This applies to faculty, students, staff, learners — everyone.
• However, if you are in a meeting or office, and both people have been vaccinated, you do not need your mask. Use your good judgment.
• If you are alone in your office, a mask is not required.
• Classrooms are still outfitted with PPEs, and if a professor is teaching behind plexiglass, no mask is required.
• Those who are not vaccinated should wear a mask when outside, or when around other people.
• Students who are not vaccinated will be required to complete an entry COVID test before the semester, as well as ongoing tests throughout the semester.
• Students who refuse to wear masks in class should be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
• No one is required to disclose their vaccination status or provide evidence of vaccination. However, disclosing that you have been vaccinated to UK will exempt you from daily screening reminders, testing, etc.
• Faculty must work with their Dean and receive approval from the Provost’s office in order to change modality of their classes.
• Health Corps will be working at least throughout the end of the fall semester. To reach them, email healthcorps@uky.edu or call 859-218-SAFE.
• A full guide will be compiled in the next few days and published on the website.

Questions can be sent through the Health Corps email or phone number.

Again, I thank you for all you have done, and please keep looking for more updates as they become available.

Stay safe and well,

Scott