In preparation for the Spring semester, President Rosenberg addresses university community

Happy New Year, Panthers! We wish you and your loved ones the very best for 2022 and look forward to welcoming our faculty and staff back to campus for the Spring semester. Classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 10.

We understand that Omicron is worrisome given its rapid spread in our community, and that our university community has questions and concerns leading up to our return to campus. At FIU, your health and wellbeing remain our priority and we are doing all that we can to ensure we all return to campus safely.

To address some of these concerns, we will be holding a virtual town hall Tuesday, Jan. 4, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Register to attend via Zoom — or watch via live stream on FIU webcast or Facebook.

We have also developed an FAQ using guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State University System and the Florida Board of Governors, and our own FIU health experts. Please take some time to review this FAQ before returning to work tomorrow. We ask you to continue to take the necessary steps to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. These include:

Wearing a face covering. Health officials say the best masks are those that cover your nose and mouth completely and fit snugly to avoid any gaps along the sides of your face. Vending machines and other distribution points at MMC, BBC, Engineering Center and FIU@ I-75 have been restocked with masks and are available for students free of charge by swiping the One Card. For better protection, it is highly recommended that you wear a face-covering when indoors especially in crowded areas.

Getting tested. There are several options for getting tested on campus. Curative operates two mobile units at MMC and one at BBC. Testing is by appointment only.

Mobile testing unit on gravel lot east of PG5 at MMC: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Type of test: Rapid PCR. Results same day.

Mobile testing unit in Parkview driveway at MMC: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Type of test: PCR. Results in 2-3 days based on volume. 

Mobile testing unit near FIU Health at BBC: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday (may be temporarily closed due to staff shortages) Type of test: PCR. Results in 2-3 days based on volume. 

FIU Lab at MMC Student Health: Will re-open on Monday, January 3 by appointment via P3 app. Appointments are available 8 a.m-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Testing takes place at Student Health. Results same day if you test by 9:30 a.m. If you test after 9:30 a.m. results will be received the next day. Type of Test: PCR

FIU’s clinical sites: The sites resume operations on Monday, January 3. Faculty and staff should call FIU Health at 305-348-3627 to schedule an appointment. Tests are administered Monday-Friday. Students should call the FIU Student Health Center at 305-348-2401 to make an appointment at MMC or 305-919-5620 to make an appointment at BBC. Type of test: PCR. Results in 2-3 days or more based on volume. Also available: Rapid Antigen. Results in 15 minutes. This test is most accurate when you have symptoms or have been exposed to a known COVID-positive person. 

Testing is also widely available in our community. The testing sites at Tropical Park and Zoo Miami have transitioned to a 24-hour, seven days a week schedule. The testing site at the Miami-Dade County Youth Fairgrounds adjacent to MMC has reopened for drive-thru testing from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. seven days a week. 

Getting vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines remain the most powerful tool against the spread of COVID-19. If you are not vaccinated, now is the time to do so. While evidence shows that people who are vaccinated can get COVID-19, their symptoms are usually milder. If you are unvaccinated, you are assuming a significant risk to your health and may be contributing to the spread of the virus.

On-campus vaccinations will resume on Monday, Jan. 10 at the Student Health centers and the FIU Health Clinic. For a list of off-site Miami-Dade County vaccination locations, you can visit FIU’s Panthers Protecting Panthers website. Vaccines are also widely available at pharmacies, usually by appointment. 

Completing the P3 app questionnaire before the start of each day on campus. The P3 app is being modified to align with the new CDC guidelines. Please make sure you read each question closely. 

If you find yourself in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. At FIU we have resources available to support our students through our Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) as well as our faculty and staff through our Office of Employee Assistance, 305-348-2469. As always, all services are offered in the strictest confidentiality. 

Please remain alert to this fast-developing situation and look for additional updates from FIU and the local media. Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to keep our Panther family safe and healthy.