1 00:00:00,269 --> 00:00:01,269 Hi, everyone. 2 00:00:01,269 --> 00:00:06,700 I hope you all had a good break and that those of you who are UVA faculty, staff, and students 3 00:00:06,700 --> 00:00:08,650 are ready to start this new semester. 4 00:00:08,650 --> 00:00:14,410 I’d like to start by thanking you, again, for your efforts last semester. 5 00:00:14,410 --> 00:00:19,090 Without your dedication, commitment, and discipline, we would not have been able to complete the 6 00:00:19,090 --> 00:00:21,900 semester safely and successfully. 7 00:00:21,900 --> 00:00:25,990 You were able to accomplish something that many doubted was possible, and it was your 8 00:00:25,990 --> 00:00:30,150 concern not just for yourselves but for others that made all the difference. 9 00:00:30,150 --> 00:00:35,500 My main message today is that we are going to need the same resolve and compassion this 10 00:00:35,500 --> 00:00:37,130 semester as well. 11 00:00:37,130 --> 00:00:42,100 Last week, we announced that we will welcome undergraduate students back as previously 12 00:00:42,100 --> 00:00:43,100 scheduled. 13 00:00:43,100 --> 00:00:47,840 Like last semester, not all classes will be held in person—but all undergraduate classes, 14 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,360 both in person and online, will start on February 1. 15 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:56,329 We are also sticking with our existing plans for the start of graduate and professional 16 00:00:56,329 --> 00:00:59,540 programs, which have a range of start dates for the semester. 17 00:00:59,540 --> 00:01:03,930 If you are a graduate or professional student with questions, please check with your individual 18 00:01:03,930 --> 00:01:06,549 school or program. 19 00:01:06,549 --> 00:01:08,909 We did not make this decision lightly. 20 00:01:08,909 --> 00:01:13,509 As you may know, the number of Covid cases is at an all-time high, both nationally and 21 00:01:13,509 --> 00:01:14,509 locally. 22 00:01:14,509 --> 00:01:18,469 But after many conversations with medical and public health experts, we have decided 23 00:01:18,469 --> 00:01:21,189 to bring students back for several reasons. 24 00:01:21,189 --> 00:01:26,240 First, we learned a great deal this fall and are in a much stronger position to respond 25 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:27,420 to the virus. 26 00:01:27,420 --> 00:01:32,689 We can now perform thousands of tests per day, and we will be requiring every student 27 00:01:32,689 --> 00:01:34,710 to get tested once a week. 28 00:01:34,710 --> 00:01:38,429 We are also making regular testing available to faculty and staff. 29 00:01:38,429 --> 00:01:43,850 We also have more experienced support teams and more isolation and quarantine space, and, 30 00:01:43,850 --> 00:01:49,829 as a community, we have more experience following and enforcing health and safety protocols. 31 00:01:49,829 --> 00:01:54,039 As was true in the fall, we also know that thousands of students will be in the area 32 00:01:54,039 --> 00:01:57,219 this spring, whether classes are in-person or online. 33 00:01:57,219 --> 00:01:58,630 Many of them already are. 34 00:01:58,630 --> 00:02:02,560 By welcoming those students to Grounds, we will have a better sense of what’s happening 35 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:08,020 and will be able to do more to keep our students and members of the community safe. 36 00:02:08,020 --> 00:02:12,720 Leaders in the health system are also confident about our hospital capacity. 37 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:19,211 UVA Health has 736 hospital beds, and while the health system is busy right now, that 38 00:02:19,211 --> 00:02:24,730 activity is driven primarily by non-COVID patients, many of whom are undergoing elective 39 00:02:24,730 --> 00:02:25,730 procedures. 40 00:02:25,730 --> 00:02:30,260 We have opened a second Covid unit in our new bed tower and can flex to create more 41 00:02:30,260 --> 00:02:33,400 beds if the number of cases goes up. 42 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:37,700 We will keep monitoring the situation closely and will adjust if we have to. 43 00:02:37,700 --> 00:02:43,430 We also learned a lot last semester about how the virus spreads—and the relative risks 44 00:02:43,430 --> 00:02:45,340 of different environments. 45 00:02:45,340 --> 00:02:50,410 We did not see any evidence of transmission within classrooms or from UVA students to 46 00:02:50,410 --> 00:02:54,090 faculty, staff, and members of the community this fall. 47 00:02:54,090 --> 00:02:58,860 And we have every reason to believe that will continue to be the case—as long as we keep 48 00:02:58,860 --> 00:03:01,730 following health and safety guidelines. 49 00:03:01,730 --> 00:03:05,230 That last part is going to be more important than ever. 50 00:03:05,230 --> 00:03:10,970 With more Covid cases in and around Charlottesville—and with news of more contagious variants being 51 00:03:10,970 --> 00:03:15,840 detected across the country—we are going to have to be even more vigilant than we were 52 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:17,100 last semester. 53 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:22,050 That’s why we are taking additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus—from 54 00:03:22,050 --> 00:03:28,100 encouraging students to quarantine before returning, to requiring all students to submit 55 00:03:28,100 --> 00:03:32,830 a negative Covid test before returning, to testing all students within seven days of 56 00:03:32,830 --> 00:03:34,820 arrival back in Charlottesville. 57 00:03:34,820 --> 00:03:40,740 We’re also limiting the size of gatherings to no more than six people starting January 58 00:03:40,740 --> 00:03:45,310 19 and continuing through at least the first two weeks of the semester. 59 00:03:45,310 --> 00:03:50,580 I realize this limit asks more of all of us – especially our students, but we want to 60 00:03:50,580 --> 00:03:56,209 make sure we do everything we can to get off to a strong start and avoid a surge in cases 61 00:03:56,209 --> 00:03:58,291 at the outset of the semester. 62 00:03:58,291 --> 00:04:02,740 We’ve heard from many of you—especially faculty, staff, and members of the community—about 63 00:04:02,740 --> 00:04:04,910 when you’ll be able to get the vaccine. 64 00:04:04,910 --> 00:04:10,240 The Virginia Department of Health is in charge of distributing the vaccine, and UVA Health 65 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:14,500 is partnering with our local health district to accelerate distribution. 66 00:04:14,500 --> 00:04:19,900 We’re giving out as many doses as we get to the people VDH and the local health district 67 00:04:19,900 --> 00:04:25,400 tell us are eligible, but it’s going to take time to vaccinate everyone. 68 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:30,150 For a number of reasons, as Dean Groves will explain in a minute, it remains incredibly 69 00:04:30,150 --> 00:04:35,479 important for everyone to keep following health and safety measures, especially mask wearing 70 00:04:35,479 --> 00:04:40,650 and social distancing in public—even if you’ve had Covid or have already gotten 71 00:04:40,650 --> 00:04:42,229 the vaccine. 72 00:04:42,229 --> 00:04:44,620 This semester won’t be easy. 73 00:04:44,620 --> 00:04:49,490 As I mentioned, if anything, it’s going to take even more patience, more vigilance, 74 00:04:49,490 --> 00:04:54,169 and more creativity from all of us, especially until the weather gets warmer. 75 00:04:54,169 --> 00:05:00,819 The difference between success and failure really will come down to the many small, personal 76 00:05:00,819 --> 00:05:03,939 decisions each of us makes every day. 77 00:05:03,939 --> 00:05:08,289 We will need help and resolve from all of you to make this semester work. 78 00:05:08,289 --> 00:05:14,720 We all know by now that Covid is a virus that will take advantage of every lapse and misstep, 79 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:19,499 which means that our health and safety guidelines and university testing strategy have never 80 00:05:19,499 --> 00:05:21,300 been more important. 81 00:05:21,300 --> 00:05:24,819 Conditions are more challenging than they were in the fall, and we will be prepared 82 00:05:24,819 --> 00:05:27,129 to change plans if we have to. 83 00:05:27,129 --> 00:05:28,949 But we’ve been through this before. 84 00:05:28,949 --> 00:05:30,659 We know what it takes. 85 00:05:30,659 --> 00:05:35,410 And I am confident that, together, we can make it through this semester just like we 86 00:05:35,410 --> 00:05:36,520 did the last one. 87 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:40,909 I look forward to seeing all of you soon, even if it’s virtually. 88 00:05:40,909 --> 00:05:45,309 And now I’ll turn it over to our Dean of Students, Allen Groves, to talk a little more 89 00:05:45,309 --> 00:05:48,319 about what this semester will look like for students. 90 00:05:48,319 --> 00:05:49,600 Thank you. 91 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:50,600 Thanks Jim. 92 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:54,780 I want to start by saying “thank you” to our students. 93 00:05:54,780 --> 00:05:59,610 Last fall, we asked you to return to Grounds only if you were prepared to make personal 94 00:05:59,610 --> 00:06:04,879 sacrifices and help us protect the entire community from COVID, including those more 95 00:06:04,879 --> 00:06:07,110 vulnerable than yourselves. 96 00:06:07,110 --> 00:06:12,270 This meant conducting events virtually, limiting the size of gatherings, and complying with 97 00:06:12,270 --> 00:06:15,139 masking and facial distancing requirements. 98 00:06:15,139 --> 00:06:19,970 I want to specifically thank our student members of Resident Staff who worked to keep everyone 99 00:06:19,970 --> 00:06:25,479 safe in our residence halls, our fraternities and sororities who came together early on 100 00:06:25,479 --> 00:06:30,680 and agreed to refrain from hosting social gatherings, and everyone who stepped up in 101 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:37,139 a public health crisis to allow the University to maintain an in-person semester. 102 00:06:37,139 --> 00:06:41,509 There were certainly some instances where compliance fell short and required that students 103 00:06:41,509 --> 00:06:46,870 and student organizations be held accountable through our student-run UJC, but those tended 104 00:06:46,870 --> 00:06:49,210 to be the exception, not the rule. 105 00:06:49,210 --> 00:06:54,620 When cases spiked in September and gathering limits had to be temporarily reduced to 5, 106 00:06:54,620 --> 00:06:59,339 students responded to the challenge and case counts began to decline. 107 00:06:59,339 --> 00:07:02,129 So again, thank you. 108 00:07:02,129 --> 00:07:07,900 As President Ryan said, we are faced with a situation now that is not unlike September. 109 00:07:07,900 --> 00:07:11,409 Case counts are spiking regionally and nationally. 110 00:07:11,409 --> 00:07:17,419 Last Friday, the New York Times reported the CDC is warning, and I’m quoting, that “a 111 00:07:17,419 --> 00:07:23,139 far more contagious variant of the coronavirus first identified in Britain could become the 112 00:07:23,139 --> 00:07:27,830 dominant source of infection in the United States by March, and would likely lead to 113 00:07:27,830 --> 00:07:34,719 a wrenching surge in cases and deaths that would further burden overwhelmed hospitals.” 114 00:07:34,719 --> 00:07:37,849 This is what we face in the coming weeks and months. 115 00:07:37,849 --> 00:07:43,539 For this reason, we have lowered the gathering limit to 6 people at least until Feb. 14, 116 00:07:43,539 --> 00:07:45,279 when it will be reassessed. 117 00:07:45,279 --> 00:07:50,639 This number was chosen in consultation with medical experts as a good limit to allow some 118 00:07:50,639 --> 00:07:55,009 socialization while helping reduce the threat of viral spread. 119 00:07:55,009 --> 00:08:00,669 It also allows a suite of students in a residence to gather without leaving anyone out. 120 00:08:00,669 --> 00:08:06,080 Our fraternities and sororities have also agreed to adhere to this limit in their upcoming 121 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:09,780 recruitment activities, which is critical. 122 00:08:09,780 --> 00:08:14,969 We have a system in place to review requests for exceptions to the gathering limits, although 123 00:08:14,969 --> 00:08:20,430 any exception must stay within the restrictions set by the Commonwealth, city and county. 124 00:08:20,430 --> 00:08:28,629 Last fall, we received 40 such requests from student groups and schools, and approved 32. 125 00:08:28,629 --> 00:08:33,080 Exception requests must clearly set out the nature of the planned event and the measures 126 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:38,450 being employed to help insure safety and avoid virus transmission. 127 00:08:38,450 --> 00:08:45,040 Such requests may be forwarded to our office via odos@virginia.edu. 128 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:50,360 We will also continue to look for other opportunities for you to safely engage in student life within 129 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:53,460 the restrictions necessitated by the virus. 130 00:08:53,460 --> 00:08:59,200 That said, I need to make clear that we will step up compliance enforcement this semester, 131 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:02,530 given what we are seeing in virus trends and rising case counts. 132 00:09:02,530 --> 00:09:07,700 We have to protect our community and avoid overwhelming our medical system. 133 00:09:07,700 --> 00:09:12,260 Students should be well-versed by now in what is required, including the necessity to gather 134 00:09:12,260 --> 00:09:18,370 in groups of 6 or less, wear masks at all times, and maintain a 6 foot minimum distance. 135 00:09:18,370 --> 00:09:23,100 Given the increasing risk, we will move even more quickly to immediately address violations 136 00:09:23,100 --> 00:09:28,240 and, in the most severe cases, suspend those who do not comply. 137 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:33,270 It won’t take many violations of scale to quickly unravel the in-person aspects of the 138 00:09:33,270 --> 00:09:38,630 spring semester, so each person’s decision to fully comply really matters. 139 00:09:38,630 --> 00:09:44,690 I also want to speak about the perception among some that once you have had COVID, restrictions 140 00:09:44,690 --> 00:09:46,880 should no longer apply to you. 141 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:52,160 As University leadership explained in an email last Friday, the science around whether those 142 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:59,460 who have had COVID -can contract the virus again and spread it to others again is inconclusive. 143 00:09:59,460 --> 00:10:04,330 People who contract COVID may shed the virus for a period of time that extends beyond the 144 00:10:04,330 --> 00:10:07,800 alleviation of symptoms or a positive test. 145 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:12,850 Of course, our fellow community members also have no way of knowing which people previously 146 00:10:12,850 --> 00:10:17,420 tested positive and which are putting themselves and others at risk by ignoring health and 147 00:10:17,420 --> 00:10:19,580 safety standards. 148 00:10:19,580 --> 00:10:25,840 Universal adherence to COVID prevention restrictions will avoid anxiety within our shared community 149 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:28,560 and prevent potential conflict. 150 00:10:28,560 --> 00:10:33,280 Most importantly, following these standards is part of the commitment people who are on 151 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:37,540 Grounds make to the University and to each other. 152 00:10:37,540 --> 00:10:42,780 Lastly, with respect to the COVID vaccine, except for students training in a health care 153 00:10:42,780 --> 00:10:47,930 field and working with patients, the general student population is not yet eligible to 154 00:10:47,930 --> 00:10:49,700 receive the vaccine. 155 00:10:49,700 --> 00:10:54,610 If you have not received an email invitation directed to you, you are not eligible for 156 00:10:54,610 --> 00:11:00,230 a vaccine right now we ask that you please do not try to sign up for one. 157 00:11:00,230 --> 00:11:05,130 Our local health district is working to vaccinate what are called category 1A -- health care 158 00:11:05,130 --> 00:11:10,290 personnel and residents of long term care facilities, with the assistance of the UVA 159 00:11:10,290 --> 00:11:11,290 Medical Center. 160 00:11:11,290 --> 00:11:17,980 The health district will next move on to category 1B, focusing on those age 75 and over. 161 00:11:17,980 --> 00:11:22,610 We do not yet know when most students will be vaccinated as they are not in any of the 162 00:11:22,610 --> 00:11:24,560 groupings announced so far. 163 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:29,630 The Governor has said he hopes all residents of the state will be vaccinated by the early 164 00:11:29,630 --> 00:11:30,630 summer. 165 00:11:30,630 --> 00:11:34,430 As soon as we know more, we will let you know. 166 00:11:34,430 --> 00:11:38,750 By choosing to return to Grounds this spring, you are agreeing to abide by these restrictions 167 00:11:38,750 --> 00:11:44,090 imposed by the University, and to stay aware of any changes to those restrictions that 168 00:11:44,090 --> 00:11:47,530 may be necessitated by changing viral trends. 169 00:11:47,530 --> 00:11:51,900 This means you need to read the weekly COVID email updates, which we are working to make 170 00:11:51,900 --> 00:11:57,060 easier to navigate so you can easily get to the information most pertinent to you. 171 00:11:57,060 --> 00:12:01,900 Our students did an admirable job in working to keep everyone safe last fall, and we need 172 00:12:01,900 --> 00:12:07,150 an even greater level of commitment this spring as we enter the most potentially dangerous 173 00:12:07,150 --> 00:12:12,730 phase of the virus in terms of rising case counts and ease of viral spread. 174 00:12:12,730 --> 00:12:19,840 I know we are capable of doing this, and I wish you the best as we begin the spring semester.