Dear Huskies,

As many of you are moving out of the residence halls this weekend, this will be my last weekly email to you.   In May, I will update everyone on our vaccination progress and update you on fall planning.  I have to say, the sooner I see us all together in fall, the better.  I have high hopes for a healthy return in the fall.

I also share your enthusiasm for an in-person graduation ceremony next month.  Every year, graduation is a celebration.  This year, the chance to see each other and celebrate your incredible accomplishments is even more special.  It’s been a while since I’ve heard the Husky Chant fill a stadium.  Let’s make it count!

Our Health:

Click here for graph

As you know, we saw an increase in our positivity rate at the end of last week.  That has continued into this week with 27 on campus positives and 18 off-campus positives reported from Monday through today.  As a result, the campus will remain in YELLOW.

The only way to contain spread is through quarantine of potential contacts, precautions such as mask wearing, and avoiding large in-person gatherings.  SHaW will continue to provide medical care for students who need to remain on campus for quarantine or isolation.  However, it is my greatest hope for all of you to leave UConn and return home healthy this weekend.  Let’s continue to do what we know works: masking, physical distancing, and avoiding gatherings.

Vaccination Update:

The UConn Dashboard is now publishing our student vaccinations along with employee vaccinations.  I am pleased to be counted among the list of employees who have begun the vaccination process.  Special thanks to my colleagues at UConn Health for running such an exceptional vaccination site for the community at Hawley.

Vaccination is a choice.  A powerful one that I encourage you to make after being well-informed on the risks and benefits of vaccination.  Information on vaccination is available through the CDC and the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

As a reminder, UConn students are not required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 at this time but it is strongly encouraged.  However, students are required to report their vaccination to SHaW.  As I shared last week, our vaccination rate will impact our fall planning decisions.  Students approved to remain on campus for the conclusion of the spring term will be able to receive their vaccination through SHaW once supplies are available. SHaW will also be prepared to vaccinate students upon arrival in the fall.

I truly look forward to our healthy return this fall semester and I thank you for being my partner in this challenging journey.  I wish you great success with the remainder of the semester.  Despite your departure, my colleagues and I always remain available to support you in the weeks ahead.

All my best,

Eleanor JB Daugherty, EdD
she/her/hers
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students