2/1/2022 – Message from President Rice to campus

Dear UMPI community,

A reminder that as of today, Feb. 1, the University of Maine System requires all students with in-person, on campus experiences who are not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine shots to participate in weekly asymptomatic testing. “Up to date” means a person has received all recommended COVID vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.

Right now, individuals are eligible for booster shots if it has been 5 months since they received their second Pfizer or Moderna shot or 2 months since they received their Johnson & Johnson shot. Students who are booster-eligible but have not yet received the booster should plan to visit an UMPI testing center and complete weekly testing. Testing can be completed at the MMG Center (weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) or the Houlton Center (Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.).

To upload your booster information, head to https://umaineportal.pointnclick.com/, select “Enter My COVID-19 Vaccination Information”, and click the upload button to upload an image of your vaccination card with booster information included. This will add your image to the portal, not replace your existing vaccination information. (Students who already have obtained a vaccination exemption do not have to upload this info.)In addition to the booster requirement for students, also effective today, all members of the UMPI community who plan to travel outside of Maine for university-related business or activities must be up to date with their COVID-19 shots(that is, they must have received a booster if they are eligible). Faculty and staff are eligible for two hours of paid administrative leave time to obtain their booster.

Note:  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.My continuing thanks to each of you for helping to keep campus– and one another– as safe and healthy as possible this spring.

Ray