Dear Students,

I hope the long weekend allowed you to catch your breath and prepare for the remaining weeks of the semester. This week’s DOS update will focus on the impending outcome of the Derek Chauvin trial in the murder of George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and vaccination planning. 

Trial Outcome and Daunte Wright

A verdict in the trial for the murder of George Floyd may come as early as next week. This of course warrants a separate communication of its own, and one is on the way. Today, I want to simply acknowledge that the pain and anger over Mr. Floyd’s death, as well as that caused by the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by a police officer on Monday in Minneapolis, remains sharp and raw for many members of our community. 

Your Student Life deans, residence directors, staff of the Anderson Freeman and Scott Centers, and our counseling team are ready to support students in what will be a difficult time for many. A follow-up message containing resources to help students plan COVID-19-safe demonstrations and announcing safe spaces for shared reflection and processing of the powerful emotions a verdict will bring, is coming soon. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility, Requirements, and Instructions

Students with the intent to remain in Vermont over the summer will become eligible to register in the Vermont Department of Health system and make a vaccination appointment beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 19. Students planning on living or working on campus this summer should schedule appointments as soon as possible because vaccination will be required to do so. More details about living and working on campus this summer will be coming soon. 

Students from out of state will be eligible for vaccination in Vermont on April 30. 

Registration

The first step in the process is to create an account on the Vermont vaccination website. You should take this step now to be prepared to log in immediately when you become eligible. This will maximize your chances of obtaining an early appointment. Following are a few registration tips:

  • While registrations typically open at 8 a.m., those who create their account in advance may be able to make appointments up to 45 minutes before the published start time. 

  • In addition to the state of Vermont Department of Health registration site, pharmacies including Kinney DrugsCVS, and Walgreens offer early registration and notifications. Once you register, you will be able to make an appointment. The key is to be ready to sign up as soon as you can on April 19, ideally starting before 8 a.m.  

  • Depending on availability, it may take more than a week to secure an appointment. You should check back regularly to see if earlier appointments become available due to cancellations or additional vaccine supply. 

  • Please remember to cancel any duplicate appointments to ensure availability for others.

Those who need to declare religious or medical exemptions may do so by using the exemption request form, which will be posted shortly on the Center for Health and Wellness forms page

Transportation

The College is building a transportation plan to assist students who do not have access to a vehicle in getting to vaccination appointments off campus. Thus far, appointments have been most readily available in Rutland, and our transportation plan will, at least initially, focus there. We will adapt our plan as necessary if availability changes. Watch for additional details coming soon. 

Documentation

Once you have completed your vaccine series (two doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines or one dose of Johnson & Johnson), please take a photo or scan of your COVID-19 vaccine record and upload it to your student health portal. Identify your document type as “Immunization Record.” Be sure to keep the original copy of your vaccination card in a safe place, and a photo of it on your phone. We anticipate that proof of vaccination will increasingly be required by airlines, local businesses, etc. Please direct questions to the Center for Health and Wellness at 802-443-5135.

Testing

All students will be tested twice next week, on Monday and Thursday. Make your appointments via the Testing Schedule page. Remember, testing is mandatory, and unexcused absences constitute a significant COVID-19 conduct violation. 

Campus Status

We do not expect updates to the Campus Status webpage this week. The long weekend featured lots of social interaction, and we are pausing to assess any potential impacts. 

Open Office Hours with Jen, Mark, and Derek

We want to hear your feedback and answer your questions! Join Director of Environmental Health and Safety Jen Kazmierczak, Chief Health Officer and College Physician Mark Peluso, and me at our weekly open office hours, Friday, April 16, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Go to this Zoom link. You can submit questions in advance.

Sincerely,

Derek Doucet

Dean of Students