To: Faculty, Staff and Students
From: Ashish Vaidya, President, Northern Kentucky University
Date: 8/10/21
Subject: Norse Up to 80% Vaccinated!
Dear Campus Community:
We are in the final push to get ready for the fall semester. The campus looks beautiful with carefully manicured landscaping and planters full of flowers. Classrooms, gathering spaces and study areas are being prepared for our students. Facilities crews are refreshing the COVID-19 precautions signage, including the indoor mask requirements and signs to promote getting a vaccine.
In order to track the campus vaccination percentage, we ask that you input the information from your vaccination card on myNKU. This information is confidential and allows us to track progress towards our goal of at least 80% vaccination rate for NKU. When our campus reaches that goal, we can re-evaluate the masking requirement.
Students who log their vaccination details on myNKU also will be eligible for prizes– including cash and other incentives.
COVID Vaccination Clinics:
We are making it easy for the campus community, especially students, to get a COVID vaccine. Students will have ample opportunities to get the vaccine when they are moving in or exploring the campus. Health, Counseling and Student Wellness (HCSW) will be holding the following vaccine clinics:
If you cannot make the vaccine clinics, vaccinations are also available in the HCSW office by appointment. Just call 859-572-5650 or email hcsw@nku.edu. Remember, they are free, and there are no residency requirements.
Once you are vaccinated, you can join us in completing the White House College COVID-19 Vaccine Challenge. NKU joined the effort to encourage those who have not been vaccinated to get their shot. If you are already vaccinated, you can help our effort by becoming a Vaccine Champion. Post a video of why you received your vaccine on social media with the hashtag #NorseProtectsNorse. I have enjoyed seeing all the videos, and I hope you had a chance to watch my White House COVID Challenge video. We also have free t-shirts available for students, faculty and staff who are vaccinated. Stop by the Student Union Information Desk to pick up your shirt and free face mask. You will need to show your vaccination card and your AllCard. If you receive your vaccine through Health Services, you will get your completed vaccination card and t-shirt at the same time. I am confident that you will help us reach this goal as we Norse Up to 80%!
We know wearing masks can be an annoyance at times, but it is a necessary step due to the Delta variant and rising cases in the region. The Delta variant is more vicious and more transmissible than the strain we dealt with last year. To better understand the differences, we have created - common questions about the Delta variant - as well as a document outlining all the COVID-19 variants so far. The bottom line is that the more the virus spreads, the more it is likely to mutate. When we vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, we can stop the spread of the virus. A reduction in transmission of the virus means fewer opportunities for it to mutate, which can help prevent the emergence of any other strains. This is why we strongly recommend everyone gets vaccinated.
As they did last year, the COVID-19 Preparedness Team will closely monitor new health guidelines, and NKU will be ready to adjust as necessary. We have responded admirably to the crisis before, so let’s focus on what we can do to welcome students back to a safe and healthy campus for the Fall 2021 Semester. If you have questions and concerns, please send them to COVID19@nku.edu.
We want to ensure that our campus will be vibrant and safe for the fall. Our primary goal is to be back on campus with classes, events, activities and more. Increasing our vaccination rate and masking indoors until we reach our goal are the best way for that to happen. Let us come together to meet this moment just as we have before. I look forward to seeing all of you on campus soon!
Sincerely,
Ashish Vaidya
