I continue to be inspired by the way this university community consistently rises to each challenge presented by COVID-19. I can’t thank our students, faculty, and staff enough for quickly adapting and adhering to changing campus guidance announced last week related to mask-wearing and UNO-sponsored events and gatherings.
As the Omicron variant continues to put stress on our hospitals and testing resources due to record-breaking local, statewide, and national case transmission numbers, we face one of our biggest challenges yet. This is why I wanted to provide additional updates as well as reminders and resources that will help keep our campus healthy as we move from our January Session into the remainder of our Spring 2022 semester:
UPDATES
Vaccination and Booster Clinics Returning to Campus: Being fully vaccinated, which includes getting a booster shot, is the most effective way to keep our campus safe and keep our community healthy. Our Office of Health Security team is partnering with the Douglas County Health Department to bring back walk-in vaccination and booster clinics to campus. If you are not fully vaccinated, please consider taking some time to help our community slow the spread of COVID-19:
COVID Testing Required for Every Campus Housing Resident: All UNO campus housing residents – vaccinated and non-vaccinated – will be required to take a COVID-19 test every two weeks. Campus residents were informed by email on Jan. 12 that the first testing window will be Jan. 17-28 at the UNO COVID Testing Site located in H&K. Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last three months or have received a booster shot are exempt from testing. Residents with questions about testing may contact unohousing@unomaha.edu.
REMINDERS
Campus Indoor Mask-Wearing Requirement Continues: Wearing a mask indoors is one small but powerful action we take to preserve our current high level of on-campus and in-person activity. In accordance with recent guidance changes, all guests at the H&K Building are now required to wear masks at all times as well. To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently. Please refer to the graphic above when choosing a mask.
No UNO-Sponsored Gatherings with More Than 25 Attendees for January: In order to limit the spread of COVID-19 amid the Omicron variant surge, no UNO on- or off-campus and in-person gatherings of 25 people or more submitted for January (excluding classes) will be approved. Any in-person, UNO-sponsored event larger than 25 people – regardless of approval status – is no longer considered approved and should be rescheduled or moved to a virtual format. All UNO students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to consider moving any in-person, non-academic gatherings, meetings, events, or activities to a virtual format where applicable, at least for January.
No Food at Any UNO-Sponsored Gatherings On- or Off-Campus: Food will not be allowed at any UNO-sponsored or community gatherings, regardless of size until further notice. This includes no longer offering grab-and-go or to-go food options for gatherings. We understand that eliminating food offerings has an outstanding impact on events and gatherings. However, due to the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant, by not dining with others in close quarters, we will stem a significant source of COVID-19 transmission and greatly reduce the risk of infections on our campus.
Get Support If You Test Positive: If you test positive for COVID-19 at any point, please report it to our Office of Health Security using the UNO COVID-19 Reporting Form. Someone from the office will then contact you with next steps and provide support. COVID-19 testing options at the H&K Building are listed on UNO’s Maverick COVID Response website.
University Travel Guidance Remains in Place: The Office of Health Security issued guidance for domestic and international travel on Dec. 6, 2021, that remains in place.
Again, thank you for your commitment to the wellbeing of our campus and Omaha communities. Please keep up your good work as we all work toward a safe, successful Spring 2022.
Sincerely,
Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA Chancellor
Jane Meza, Ph.D.
Director, UNO Office of Health Security
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is an equal opportunity educator and employer with a comprehensive plan for diversity.
