Letter From the Provost: July 20, 2021
Dear Faculty and Staff:
As we near the start of the fall semester with COVID numbers on the rise in Arkansas, I know there are many questions. I want to reassure you that we are monitoring the situation and continue to encourage vaccination.
Encouraging Vaccination
While not mandatory, vaccination is our primary means for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and the development of variants. We are working to reinforce this with our campus community in many ways including targeting our student population through a series of social media efforts and other more direct messaging, part of a larger communications campaign designed to increase the number of fully vaccinated individuals on campus. We’re currently collaborating with student groups on additional efforts to encourage vaccination this summer and fall.
Although mask wearing is not required for vaccinated individuals and will soon be optional for all, we still encourage those who are not vaccinated and vaccinated people who are immunocompromised to continue to wear masks in indoor settings. In addition, the use of virtual tools to reduce face-to-face interactions will continue to be encouraged.
Planning for the Fall Semester: Faculty Forum Scheduled July 29th
I encourage you to participate in the July 29th Faculty Forum to hear more about how our operations will occur in the fall and have your questions answered as you plan for the semester.
Staff are welcome to participate as well and should contact unit heads or Staff Senate with questions and concerns.
The COVID-19 Campus Guidance continues to be updated and should serve as a resource for you in your planning.
We will continue to communicate with you as we work to support a safe fall semester. The best way you can help us all have a more traditional fall is to be vaccinated.
Sincerely,
Charles Robinson
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs
Professor of History