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Dear Wolf Pack,
Happy summer! Do you feel it? The sights and sounds of New Orleans are coming back to life. It’s not a “going back to normal” kind of feeling, but more of a “getting ready for what’s next” kind of vibe. We’re returning to the people and places we’ve missed so dearly, and bringing with us a new perspective and even more determination.
While we trek bravely into the next phase, we know the pandemic is not yet over and out of sight. So what will the fall look like at Loyola? One thing we know for sure is that we will stay true to the values at the core of our university. Here’s what you can expect, and how you can help, as we work together to build what’s next.
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Acting in Service to Others You know the deal, we are working to Vax the Pack and continue to slow the spread of the virus in our community. When you get vaccinated, you protect yourself from serious illness and also help keep others safe by reducing the risk of spreading COVID.
Many of you have already completed this step. But if you haven’t yet, be sure to log into the COVID-19 Vaccination Portal to provide your vaccination record or exemption request no later than July 16, 2021. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a public health hold on your account, and you will not be allowed to attend in-person classes or move into your residence hall.
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Use the resources on our website for assistance finding a vaccination site near you and follow these dates to make sure you have both shots in time for the final deadline:
- Moderna: Get your first dose no later than June 18
- Pfizer: Get your first dose no later than June 25
- Johnson & Johnson: Only one dose, get your shot no later than July 16
Students may request an exemption for reasons consistent with Louisiana state laws (i.e., medical, religious, or philosophical reasons). After your exemption request is submitted, it may take up to 10 business days for the form to be reviewed and for you to receive notification of the outcome of this request. Any delay in submitting documentation may result in a delay to your scheduled arrival.
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Thinking Critically and Communicating Effectively We are working hard over the summer to create a safe campus environment for every member of our community, and we will make sure the expectations are clear from day one. Following CDC guidelines and insights from public health experts, here’s what we know so far:
- Faculty, staff, and students who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear masks or social distance while on campus. If you are fully vaccinated, you can, of course, continue to wear a mask at your own discretion. There may be special events, large gatherings, and specific buildings where everyone is required to wear masks as an additional precaution.
- Unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff will be required to wear masks on campus, maintain social distance, and quarantine if exposed to the virus. Unvaccinated students may also be excluded from campus and in-person classes in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus.
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Taking Care of the Whole You
Gone are the days of pushing through illness or working even when we’re sick. We can be our best if we’re taking the best care of ourselves. Some of the healthy habits we picked up during the pandemic will serve us well into the future, like consistent hand washing and sanitizing.
Another important part of taking care of yourself is making sure you have health insurance coverage while you’re at school. All full-time undergraduate students are required to enroll in Loyola’s Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan for the 2021 – 2022 academic year or provide proof of comparable, existing insurance coverage for the academic year to waive coverage.
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What you get with Loyola’s insurance plan:
- Coverage at school, at home, and when you travel
- Access to a nationwide network of doctors, hospitals, and specialists
- Pharmacy and prescription drug coverage
- Office visits and all on-site labs and services at Student Health Services with no copay or deductible
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We have plans for both domestic and international students through our insurance provider partners, Aetna Student Health and LewerMark Student Insurance. Review the plan details, costs, and instructions for how to waive coverage on the Student Insurance page.
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COVID Connections is a round-up of important information to help keep everyone in our campus community informed and safe. It arrives in your inbox every Tuesday, with special editions on other days if needed. Explore our archive on the FAQ website to see previous editions.
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