To all UMPI students,

We hope this email finds you enjoying the end of your Winter Break and getting ready for the Spring 2022 semester. We’re hard at work on campus preparing for your return and want you to have the important information you need to ensure a safe return. In summary, the semester will begin as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 18, arrival testing is required for residence hall students, the first week of classes will be taught remotely (with some program exceptions), and we’re asking everyone with on campus experiences to test during the first week of classes.

Our campus decisions are guided by the general principles for a Safe Start for the University of Maine System as noted today by the Chancellor, which you can read here.  In his statement, the Chancellor underscores the need to resume in-person learning, the safety of which is ensured through the use of remote learning at the very start of the semester as individual campuses may require.  Please read on for more information.

Arrival

• All students are encouraged to arrive in Presque Isle with a negative COVID test result.
• All students traveling to Presque Isle from another state or country are strongly encouraged to test 72 hours or less prior to arrival and show proof of a negative result for COVID.
• All students who live in the residence halls will be required to get a COVID test when they arrive. Any student who is not fully vaccinated and/or fully boostered will be required to quarantine until they receive a negative test result. Students living on campus will be provided with additional information when they arrive to move back into their residence hall.

First Week of Instruction 

• All classes, with the exception of specified programs, will be taught remotely the first week of classes (Jan. 18-21) to ensure awareness of infection rates, the safety of in-person instruction moving forward, and assurance of minimized disruption to that instruction.
• Students will receive direct communication later this week from the limited programs that will commence instruction in person during the first week of classes.
• All campus facilities and services will be open this first week (including Gentile Hall, CIL, Houlton Higher Education Center, etc.).

Testing

• We are asking all students with on campus experiences (which includes those living on campus, taking in person classes, and/or participating in any on campus activities) to test during the first week of the semester, January 17-21.
• Testing can be completed at the MMG Center or the Houlton Center. The MMG Center is currently open for testing on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (and will be open for extended hours on Saturday, Jan. 15 through Monday, Jan 17 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). The Houlton Center is open for testing Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• As was the case this past Fall semester, YourPace and other students taking classes entirely remotely (nor coming to campus for any other business) will not have to participate in testing.

Please be sure to check your email at least 2-3 times per week until classes start in January. The COVID situation is very dynamic and email will be the best way for you to learn the latest information about how it may impact your return to campus. If you have a chance, you’ll also want to read this message from the Chancellor about what to expect for this spring semester, including testing requirements starting Feb. 1 for those not fully boostered.

Thank you all for your work to help us keep each other safe and looking forward to seeing you back on campus later this month!

Ray