Sept. 30, 2021

Dear UAF staff and faculty,

I’m happy to announce that a new COVID-19 testing site is scheduled to begin operating in the Nenana parking lot on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus the middle of next week. This temporary facility will be open to the public as well as to UAF staff, faculty and students. 

Provost Prakash sent an email to faculty and instructors yesterday providing additional guidance as we adapt to the changing COVID-19 pandemic. As discussed in previous messages, supervisors should consider their unit’s work activities and how they might temporarily accommodate some telework to help mitigate the current rise in COVID cases in the Fairbanks community.

As requested by faculty, staff and student governance groups, I have sent a formal request to President Pitney for consideration of a broad COVID-19 vaccine requirement for UAF employees and in-person students at Fairbanks locations. If approved, implementation would take time and would therefore not affect nonresidential, in-person students enrolled this semester. Also, if approved, waivers would be considered for medical and religious reasons. I will keep you informed as this consideration moves forward.

Thanks for choosing UAF. 

— Dan White, chancellor