In an announcement sent to students July 16 about U.Va’s COVID-19 public health plans, the University stated that students would be able to receive one asymptomatic test every 60 days. The LetsGetChecked pre-arrival testing currently counts as one of the asymptomatic tests provided to students.
Students were unable to access the University’s online course management and collaboration system — UVACollab — Monday due to an outage on the site.
The COVID-19 and safety-related demands include financial compensation and hazard pay, adequate personal protective equipment and risk reduction, revised and clearly articulated policing and COVID-19 guidelines, provisions for food security and housing stability and revised financial aid policies for resident staff.
While isolation rooms remain empty, six percent of quarantine rooms have been occupied, a one percent increase from last week.
In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through asymptomatic individuals, the University plans to notify anywhere from 50 to 150 students daily that they are required to provide samples.
Current guidelines include having 15 people or less at all gatherings, both inside and outside, wearing face masks at all times except when alone or with roommates and maintaining six feet of social distancing whenever possible.
Before lying silently still for the 15-minute “die-in,” participants sat in a large, socially-distanced circle on the Lawn to write letters that demonstration organizers plan to give to University administration.
Representatives also voted to pass FR 20-11 in support of “U.Va. RA’s” demands — an anonymous group of Resident Advisors at the University who released a set of 10 demands calling for adequate compensation, meal plans, personal protective equipment and housing stability among other demands amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Monday, there have been 47 reports of students violating COVID-19 restrictions, though there is significant overlap between the reports. 11 reports were from the University’s Just Report It portal, while 36 reports were made through the community portal.
University spokesperson Wes Hester said that the COVID-Tracker will be updated on weekdays.
The late-night Housing and Residence Life email now leaves residents with two options — submit their preference for a new housing assignment or forfeit their on-Grounds housing.
University leadership cited several reasons for their decision in the email, including improving conditions locally and in Virginia, knowledge gained from other universities who have opened, and encouraging behavior from student athletes, graduate students, and other individuals in Charlottesville over the summer.
The statement included a warning that offending chapters could face a Fraternal Organization Agreement suspension for the academic year.
The total number of cases among students, faculty, staff and contract employees since Aug. 17 is now 67, not including pre-arrival testing, according to the University community tracker.
Other than its most time-sensitive goal of moving classes online, the #ActFastUVA campaign has three main objectives — fighting austerity, assuring safety and emphasizing solidarity with other organizations across Grounds.
There have been 58 total positive cases of COVID-19 among students, faculty, staff and contract employees since Aug. 17. 31 of those cases were among students.
As of Monday, 12,832 University students have tested negative for COVID-19.
The message comes the weekend before classes begin, which typically marks annual Block Party celebrations.
According to the proposal, the space is envisioned as a place for education, meetings and cultural gatherings, supportive services and administration, and other community needs.
UNC’s decision to pull the plug on in-person classes comes after clusters of cases popped up in three residence halls and a fraternity house — where students live in close proximity to each other — just days after the semester began Aug. 10.
