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The University of the Virgin Islands announced Friday that for Spring 2021 a mixed modality instruction model will be implemented, combining in-person and online learning, as well as on-campus residence living and work.
“The administration has continued to monitor the conditions in the Territory and the various executive orders issued by the governor,” said UVI President David Hall. “As a result of the improvement in overall conditions in the Territory, it is our intention to implement the previous plan in the Spring 2021 semester effective Jan. 4, 2021.”
According to the release, UVI has added protective measures to high traffic areas on campus. Two "SafePass" ID stations have been initially installed at the Administration and Conference Center Building and East Residence Hall on the St. Thomas Campus to ensure a safe on-campus environment. The devices are capable of reading temperature, scanning and disinfecting persons upon entry into buildings. Other protective measures will include the mandatory wearing of a face mask or shield prior to entry. As students return to campus residence halls, only single-occupancy rooms will be available, UVI said.
UVI said it will be using the "Campus Clear" app to facilitate daily self-monitoring for Covid-19 symptoms. This free app provides a short survey, which takes less than 10 seconds to complete, daily, the university said. It will be an important part of UVI’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus.
The Campus Clear app is available in the App Store and Google Play. Campus Clear is also available via a web interface. This version can also be used by campus visitors. Visit https://web.ivy.ai/app/campusclear to access the web version.
"Persons who intends to visit campus at any point should log into Campus Clear daily to answer questions about their symptoms. Commuting students and employees will need to have a “Good to Go” free pass before coming on campus," said the institution of higher learning.
The University said its classes went strictly virtual in March 2020 and in July, the UVI Board of Trustees authorized the administration to delay the implementation of the on-campus Fall 2020 Plan, which included resuming in-person academic instruction, utilizing a mixed modality approach, and on-campus residence living and work. This decision was based on the increasing COVID-19 positivity rate in the territory, UVI said. At the time the decision was made to postpone the on-campus plan, there were over 145 active cases in the territory.
The number of active cases grew to a reported high of 273 active cases on Aug. 20, and around the start of the Fall semester. This spike eventually led to a Stay-at-Home Order being enforced in the Territory.
“Although there is a spike in the number of cases across the U.S., the situation in the Territory seems to have stabilized,” said President Hall. “Furthermore, the plan includes numerous precautions taking into consideration the realities of the uncertain times in which we live. We encourage everyone to review the Spring 2021 Plan and become familiarize with the various sections.”
“As always, the health and safety of our students and employees are paramount and this plan strives to take that into account as we endeavor to achieve our mission as an institution of higher education,” Dr. Hall said.
To read the draft Spring Plan, visit www.uvi.edu or see this link https://www.uvi.edu/student-life/student-affairs/health-services/COVID19%20Reopening%20Phases.pdf
New students are required to submit application for admission to https://uvi.edu/apply. Academic transcripts and credentials are to be sent to [email protected]. The deadline for processing of Spring 2021 applications is Dec. 15, 2020.
Students wishing to apply for financial aid are required to use www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students on the Albert A. Sheen Campus should use school code 006989. Students on the St. Thomas Campus should use school code 003946.
To access the Spring 2021 semester courses and registration information, visit www.uvi.edu or click this link: https://www.uvi.edu/enrollment/registrar/registrar-general_registration_information.aspx
