The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is urging students “to get vaccinated now” against COVID-19 in anticipation of the Food and Drug Administration’s expected approval of vaccines that combat the virus.
UL Lafayette announced its Fall 2021 semester health and safety protocols in a message to campus on Friday that included advice that students shouldn’t wait to be vaccinated.
“We expect the Food and Drug Administration to approve one or more COVID-19 vaccines soon. Once this happens, the University of Louisiana System will require all students be vaccinated. The University strongly encourages students to get vaccinated now in anticipation of the FDA's approval,” the message said.
Encouraging vaccinations is part of the health and safety strategy UL Lafayette has created to protect students, faculty and staff members when the Fall 2021 semester begins. Classes start on Monday, Aug. 23.
Robust COVID-19 testing is also in place and masks will continue to be required on campus for students, employees and visitors.
“Your safety is our primary concern,” Dean of Students Dr. Margarita Perez wrote in a letter accompanying the message. “We want to be able to offer you opportunities that create an engaging and memorable college experience.
“When it comes to COVID-19, only you can truly manage your health and safety. The choices we make individually can affect others and the type of semester we will have. It starts with you,” Perez said.
The health and safety protocols UL Lafayette released on Friday follow.
RANDOMLY SELECTED UNVACCINATED STUDENTS TO BE TESTED FOR COVID-19
The University is enhancing and expanding its COVID-19 testing strategy to help identify asymptomatic individuals and mitigate the virus' spread.
Throughout the semester, unvaccinated students will be selected at random and required to take a COVID-19 molecular or antigen test within five days. If chosen, you will receive an email with details about how to proceed, including what to do if you have tested positive within the last 90 days. If you fail to get tested and report results, you will not be allowed on campus.
Testing will be available on campus in addition to select pharmacies, urgent cares, and clinics sponsored by hospitals. More information for testing on campus will be sent soon. You can also find a testing location in Louisiana on the Louisiana Department of Health website.
Vaccinated students will not be required to test for COVID-19 at this time.
We expect the Food and Drug Administration to approve one or more COVID-19 vaccines soon. Once this happens, the University of Louisiana System will require all students be vaccinated. The University strongly encourages students to get vaccinated now in anticipation of the FDA's approval.
Find a vaccination provider here.
If you have questions regarding COVID-19 vaccines or testing or need assistance finding a testing location, please call the state's vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774.
MASKS REQUIRED ON CAMPUS
All students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to wear masks or face coverings while indoors on campus and when riding on buses or shuttles. They are recommended when outdoors. Masks are available in all buildings, though students may wear their own.
Read the University's Interim Face Covering Policy here. If you have any questions or concerns, email deanofstudents@louisiana.edu.
GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW IF YOU FEEL ILL
Students who do not feel well for any reason should stay home and complete the Anticipated or Unplanned Absence form.
If you experience any symptoms related to COVID-19, please do the following:
- isolate at home/stay in your residence,
- contact your medical provider or call the Student Health Services at (337) 482-1328; and
- inform your roommates and avoid contact with them.
If you are told to quarantine or isolate because you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are presumed positive because of symptoms and testing, complete the isolation and quarantine form only. (You do not need to complete the Anticipated or Unplanned Absence form.)
Students and faculty and staff members who have been exposed to COVID-19 should adhere to the following guidelines:
- If you are fully vaccinated and are:
- Asymptomatic, you do not need to quarantine and testing may be required.
- Symptomatic, you must test.
- If your test result is negative, quarantine and isolation will be determined by your health care provider.
- If your test result is positive, you must isolate for at least 10 days.
- If you are not vaccinated and are:
- Asymptomatic, you must quarantine for 14 days.
- Symptomatic, you must test.
- If your test result is negative, you must quarantine for 14 days or follow the recommendations of your health care provider.
- If your test result is positive, you must isolate for at least 10 days.
The above guidelines follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Louisiana Department of Health, and other agencies and is subject to change.