CINCINNATI — Weeks ahead of the start of its fall semester, the University of Cincinnati announced several new health protocols that aim to slow the spread of COVID-19 around the campus.
They include a requirement for facial coverings inside all university buildings. There will also be mandatory testing of unvaccinated students living in university housing.
UC President Neville G. Pinto made the announcement Tuesday by way of a message to the university community.
Pinto said he feels “confident we have positioned the University (of Cincinnati) well for welcoming our students back to campus.” But he says changes are necessary “given the most recent developments with the virus.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offered new guidance last week about the wearing of masks indoors following a nationwide uptick in COVID cases.
The guidance prompted several colleges and universities to institute their own updated mask rules. Ohio State University instituted a similar mask policy on Tuesday.
“Though we have spent all summer planning for a fuller campus experience in the fall semester, we continue to monitor the virus and its ever-changing, fast-moving impact,” Pinto said. “The Delta variant, in particular, poses new concerns on several fronts, so we must be ready and able to adapt quickly.
“I ask for your continued patience and understanding as we seek to prepare for another season of uncertainty,” he added.
UC’s new mask policy requires facial coverings inside all campus buildings and facilities. The rule, which takes effect Thursday, is for everyone, regardless of a person’s vaccination status.
The policy will also require students to receive a COVID test when they move into university housing later this month. Students who’ve provided proof of vaccination, or a negative PCR test in advance, will be exempt during move-in.
UC said it will continue to conduct testing for at least the start of the fall semester, which begins Aug. 23.
Students living in university housing will be required to participate. But those who submit acceptable proof of vaccination will be exempt from screening at least initially, Pinto said.
On-campus spaces for quarantine and isolation are limited this year and won’t be guaranteed. Pinto encouraged students to develop “individual contingency plans” that best suit their needs.
Pinto continued to stress the importance of vaccination, saying it’s “the best way” to “protect the campus community.” He called on students, faculty and staff to “do our part.”
To encourage vaccination, UC will award nearly $50,000 in total prizes to vaccinated students, faculty and staff.
The giveaways will take place weekly and prizes will range from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the week. A person needs to voluntarily submit proof they’ve received a vaccine to enter.
Pinto said this is the plan for at least “the first few weeks” of the fall semester. He said the university will adjust its COVID-19 policies as needed to best address the situation.
That guidance will come from the CDC as well as Dr. Dustin Calhoun, who leads the university’s COVID response. Calhoun, an associate professor at UC Medical School, is an expert in emergency medicine.
“(Dr. Calhoun) has been instrumental in helping our region to build the capacity needed to manage the pandemic, leading key areas related to clinical care, vaccine distribution, testing processes and rapid response teams,” Pinto said. “A national leader in emergency management, Dr. Calhoun’s expertise and experience will continue to serve the University well as we prepare for a new academic year.”
Additional information is available on the UC website.
Spectrum News reached out to the University of Cincinnati for clarification on some components of this update. As of reporting, UC had not yet responded.
