Message from Chancellor Henderson on Spring 2022
Dear students, faculty and staff,
I hope that you had a safe and enjoyable winter break. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday, Jan. 18, for the start of the Spring 2022 semester. As the UW System communicated earlier this month — thanks to our efforts on COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and other mitigation strategies — our campuses are some of the safest places in Wisconsin. As a result, UW-Whitewater is planning to continue in-person classes and activities.
UW-Whitewater continues to use information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Wisconsin, county health departments and the University of Wisconsin System to guide the decision-making processes across campuses. The EOC is closely monitoring conditions on campus and in the community.
In a continued effort to keep our Whitewater and Rock County campuses as safe as possible, I have issued a new Chancellor’s Order to Minimize Spread of COVID-19, now in effect through Feb. 28, 2022. Our operational protocols and mitigations include:
Face coverings
- All individuals are still required to wear face coverings when indoors, unless you are eating or drinking or alone in your office, or in Residence Halls on the residential floors.
- Acceptable face coverings must fit snugly against the face without leaving gaps, cover both the mouth and the nose, be washable or disposable after a single use, and have at least two layers that block light when held up to a light source. The following face coverings are not acceptable: gaiters that consist of only one layer, face coverings made of mesh or other open-weave material, and face shields worn without a mask or other face coverings.
COVID-19 testing
- Testing will continue to be available on campus, and anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who believes they have been exposed to COVID-19 is strongly encouraged to get tested. UW-Whitewater will not be requiring COVID-19 testing during the duration of this order.
COVID-19 vaccines
- Safe, effective vaccines (and booster doses) are available at no cost to you. I urge every student and employee who is able to get vaccinated and boosted to do so.
Please note that COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic, and modifications of these practices should be anticipated. For questions or comments related to the UW-Whitewater COVID-19 response, contact the COVID-19 Hotline at 262-472-1362 or covid19info@uww.edu. For more information about campus operations under COVID-19, visit Warhawks Are Back.
Thank you for all you do to keep our university an exceptional place to learn, live and work. Wishing you a productive and successful spring semester!
Jim Henderson
Interim Chancellor