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January 25, 2021

This message was sent to students, faculty and staff at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno.

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

We are so happy that you are here for the spring semester! We appreciate you and are grateful for your return. For those of you who are new to campus, you have come to a special place with 147 years of history.

Today, we begin our new semester with hope and cautious optimism. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the people of our University have responded to the challenges of the moment with resilience and strength.

Time and again, the work that all of you have done over the past several months has been extraordinary. And with each new day, we will take yet another step forward. When faced with difficulty, we keep going, ensuring that the people we work with, we study with and we live with know that our personal commitment to each other’s health and well-being is steadfast.

Here are a few quick reminders for the start of spring semester:

In conformance with official mandated guidelines, face coverings are required at all times while on campus, including in the classroom, laboratory, studio, any type of in-person instructional activity, and all other indoor and outdoor public spaces.

The wearing of face coverings is not required when alone in a private office, bathroom stall, or in a residence hall room; or while eating/drinking. Facial coverings, social distancing and frequent handwashing are all part of the comprehensive public health effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

COVID-19 testing is available on a daily basis at the by appointment only. Health and safety considerations for students, employees and supervisors and other helpful information for the semester are on the University’s coronavirus page.

Working under State of ÁùºÏ±¦µä and Washoe County guidelines, the University has begun the notification process for employees eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations based on their priority grouping. The process is based on a “two-lane” priority group approach to statewide vaccinations from the  [external PDF]. The University’s vaccine information page contains definitions of eligibility for the priority groups as well as how notifications will be sent to members of the groups.

Vaccine availability in Washoe County is still very limited. When we are notified by Washoe County that there is vaccine available, we will immediately communicate this availability to those of you who are eligible to receive the vaccine.

We are asking for your understanding and patience with vaccine distribution. The University must comply with directives from the State of ÁùºÏ±¦µä and Washoe County as we learn of vaccine availability and how and when it can be distributed.

With regard to campus, please be aware of the following:

All of the buildings on campus are open again, including the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center. The staff at the Fitness Center has been busily preparing the facility for reopening. The operations plan includes stringent cleaning protocols that will include masking and social distancing.

As we move forward this spring, we will continue to get stronger and shape and share ideas by working and believing in one another. I hope you have a semester that brings you daily satisfaction of achievement, fulfillment and the knowledge that you are part of the Wolf Pack family. We are all in this together, and we will all get through this together.

Again, welcome back and keep Protecting our Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President