The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) recently provided the state’s public universities with greater flexibility for setting vaccination policies for students. After careful consideration and discussion with state and local leaders and healthcare professionals, Utah Valley University (UVU) will join universities in Salt Lake, Weber, and Cache counties in requiring COVID-19 vaccines for students for the spring semester.
We are working to develop a plan aimed at reducing infection and hospitalization rates in our county and state while acknowledging exemptions for personal, religious, and medical reasons. USHE’s guidance on vaccines does not include faculty and staff currently — however, discussions are ongoing at the state level. Meanwhile, we strongly encourage all staff and faculty to get vaccinated. We will be providing more information about the new health requirement plans later this week.
As a campus community, we are grateful for your collective efforts to help us return to in-person instruction safely. We have felt great energy and excitement as we have opened for fall semester. We are also pleased with the steady flow of students coming to our free vaccination clinic. We encourage our students, staff, and faculty to be vigilant in wearing masks — particularly in our classrooms and other indoor venues.
Amid the ever-changing environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to appreciate the exceptional care that has been exemplified by our UVU campus community. This care has been seen in countless ways, but especially in the flexibility, empathy, sacrifice, and compassion you have shown for one another.
Thank you again, and here’s to a productive and healthy school year.
Astrid S. Tuminez
Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
Vice President of Student Affairs
Vice President of Administration and Strategic Relations
Vice President of People and Culture