Dear UMPI Students,
Our Safe Return team is preparing for the next important date in the System’s COVID-19 Student Vaccination Requirements plan. Per the policy statement, by no later than Oct. 15, 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. 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 but are not yet fully vaccinated).
What does this mean?
In order to continue in any on-campus activities after Oct. 15–including classes, meetings, or any other use of UMPI facilities–this documentation must be received. In addition, those who are not fully vaccinated but have started the vaccination process, as well as those who have applied for an exemption, are required to test on a weekly basis at the MMG Center, located in the UMPI Campus Center, or at the Houlton Center. Failure to comply with this testing requirement will result in sanctions imposed by the University, including suspension from in-person classes and access to the University. The MMG test center is open daily Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Testing at the Houlton Center is available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What are my options?
- Students who have started the vaccination process or are fully vaccinated but have not uploaded their COVID vaccination card on the UMS online portal should do so at https://umaineportal.pointnclick.com.
- Students seeking an exemption (UMPI provides for medical, religious, and online-only exemptions) can use the same link and then click on link “UMS Student COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Forms” located on the left-hand side of the page.
- Students who choose not to vaccinate and verify, or seek an exemption, may be able to continue their education fully remotely if they can do so using already existing remote options (students can apply for an exemption for fully remote learning using the vaccination verification guide). Please note that many programs or courses do not offer remote options and, depending on degree program or course of study, it may not be possible to complete a course of study through remote learning only. In short, students who are not in compliance by October 15, 2021, will not be able to continue as part of the in-person university community and may also experience a disruption in their education.
If you have any difficulty getting your COVID vaccination card uploaded or have questions about exemptions, please contact Fred Thomas, UMPI Director of Safety and Security, at frederick.thomas@maine.edu or 207-768-9580. If you have questions about how transitioning to fully remote learning may impact you, please contact your faculty or professional advisor.
We very much appreciate those who have completed their vaccination and verification process already, and thank each of you for your help in meeting these requirements by Oct. 15 so we can keep our campus and extended community as safe as possible against the spread of COVID-19, the Delta variant, and any other emerging variants.
Ray
