University of Virginia leaders on Friday announced that the spring academic semester will begin in-person and on time, with several modifications to public health measures in response to the global spike in COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant.
In a message to the University community, the executive leadership team said UVA has moved the deadline for Academic Division students, faculty and staff to show confirmation that they have received a vaccine booster from Feb. 1 to Jan. 14.
“Moving the booster deadline is an alternative to delaying the in-person semester until the current omicron-driven rise in cases subsides,” the message said. “A residential academic experience is an essential part of what it means to attend the University of Virginia, and we know how important it is to our students, faculty, and staff to start the semester together in-person.”
Friday’s message was signed by President Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President and Provost Liz Magill, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis, and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. K. Craig Kent.
“In-person instruction is a core part of our mission as an institution and UVA public health experts have advised us that classroom spaces are low-risk environments for infection,” the executive team said. “That said, in response to a significant global spike in COVID-19 cases as a result of the omicron variant, and based on the advice of our public health experts, we believe additional measures are necessary to reduce the spread of the virus and to start our spring semester as safely as possible.”
The earlier booster requirement applies to all Academic Division students, faculty and staff, as well as students in the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing. UVA Health, including School of Medicine and School of Nursing faculty and staff, will stick with the previously announced Feb. 1 deadline.
