Dear UMPI Students,

Both an update and reminder for you on this last day of September. The important update first: the UMS has extended the current mandate for wearing masks inside facilities throughout the month of October for all campuses and sites.  You can find further information here.  My thanks to everyone for your diligence throughout September; your actions have helped keep our campus safe over the first several weeks of our semester.

And the reminder:  We’re now weeks away from Oct. 15, the date by which students are required to verify at https://umaineportal.pointnclick.com/ that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or obtain an exemption from the vaccination requirement. Per University of Maine System policy, after Oct. 15, unvaccinated, non-exempt students will not be permitted in University facilities or to participate in on-campus experiences (unless they have started a course of vaccination).

Students who don’t meet this requirement may experience disruptions in their education and housing. Courses may not be able to be offered remotely, and there are no special refund policies for tuition, room, board, or other fees for those students who choose not to comply. There could also be impacts to degree completion and financial aid eligibility. Non-compliance will result in a hold on class registration for the spring semester and, after Oct. 15, de-registration from fall classes.

For help uploading your COVID vaccination card, navigating the exemption process, or getting your questions answered, please reach out to Fred Thomas, UMPI Director of Safety and Security, at frederick.thomas@maine.edu or 207-768-9580. For those considering a shift to fully remote learning, please contact your faculty or professional advisor.

We have done amazing work in meeting this requirement over the past several weeks; my continuing thanks to all of you who have already completed the verification process and to all who have assisted those who have had questions or concerns.  I appreciate everyone’s work in these next two weeks to submit their information on the UMS portal by Oct. 15.

Ray