COVID-19 Information
August 2021 Update
Dear UVA Wise community,
I am writing to share with you that the College is implementing an indoor face covering policy effective Friday, August 6. All students, faculty, staff, and visitors on our campus, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, will be required to wear masks or other approved face coverings in any indoor space. As recommended by the CDC guidelines, this action is due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
The COVID-19 vaccine, which the College strongly recommends, is still the best way to protect yourself and your family, students, friends, and others in your circle from the virus. (If you or someone you know is hesitant to receive a vaccine, please refer to resources from healthcare experts, such as the Centers for Disease Control’s vaccination myths and facts page.) However, masking is the best secondary tactic, beyond the vaccine, that we can employ to protect our community as a whole and the individuals within it.
Senior Staff and I appreciate your continued patience and vigilance as we all work to protect each other. We will continue to assess the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, relying on the CDC and other reputable sources as we have throughout the pandemic, to evaluate the ongoing need for face coverings and other safety measures that can help us balance the risks to our community.
Thank you for your continued diligence in helping to protect our Highland Cavalier community! I look forward to seeing you at Convocation on August 17 as we celebrate the beginning of a new semester.
Best regards,
Chancellor Henry