August survey: More Than 95% of UML Employees Already Vaccinated for New Semester
08/24/2021
Contact for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. – All UMass Lowell employees working on campus will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be approved for a medical or religious exemption, the university announced Tuesday following agreements finalized in the last week with its unions.
The university informed non-union and part-time employees Aug. 12, as well as contractors and vendors who work on campus, that they must be fully vaccinated. A survey of all employees conducted the first week of August indicated that more than 95% of employees are or will be fully vaccinated before the semester begins.
“For 18 months UMass Lowell faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to minimize the risk of COVID-19 as we have slowly expanded our on-campus population,” said Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. “As we return to full operations, I am grateful to our unions for partnering with us to require vaccinations and to all employees for continuing to keep our campus as healthy as possible.”
The university announced in April that students who learn or live on campus would be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption for the Fall 2021 semester.
Students and employees must verify their status with the university by uploading a copy of their vaccination cards to the Student Health Center or to Human Resources through a confidential submission process.
With more documents uploaded and reviewed every day, nearly 90% of on-campus students have uploaded their vaccination cards. Around 160 students have been granted an exemption.
All faculty, staff and students approved for an exemption will be required to undergo weekly surveillance screening and wear a face covering. Consistent with current state and federal public health guidelines, UMass Lowell has also implemented a temporary indoor mask requirement for all individuals on campus, with the hope of relaxing that mandate when the current wave of increased cases subsides.
Additionally, all UMass Lowell campus community members are expected to continue conducting daily symptom checks and to stay home or in their residence hall rooms if they have symptoms.
River Hawks move into the residence halls on Saturday, Aug. 28 and classes begin Wednesday, Sept. 1.
UMass Lowell is a national research university offering its more than 18,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu