Â鶹´«Ã½

Consideration of a COVID-19 vaccine requirement

Oct. 1, 2021

Dear Â鶹´«Ã½ Community,

Yesterday I received a formal request from Â鶹´«Ã½F Chancellor White asking that I consider approval of a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all Â鶹´«Ã½F employees and in-person students at Â鶹´«Ã½F’s Fairbanks locations.

Chancellor White’s request was based on formal requests for a vaccine requirement from faculty, staff, and student governance groups; the high case count, high test positivity rate and community spread in the Fairbanks area; the residential nature of the Fairbanks campus; and the high number of in-person classes and programs offered in Fairbanks.

If approved, implementation for non-residential, in-person students would be effective for the spring semester, but may be effective sooner for employees pending an implementation plan. This requirement would apply to system office employees in Fairbanks as well, and exemptions for medical and religious reasons will be considered.

I will give this request all due consideration, and will take the time necessary to do so. You can expect an update within two weeks.

Sincerely,
Pat Pitney
Â鶹´«Ã½ Interim President