Dear Students and Families,
The temperature in Gainesville is 91 degrees! As I brace for my first Florida summer, I want to encourage everyone to stay safe this holiday weekend and make smart choices to maintain physical distancing efforts while hopefully enjoy the outdoors.
Staff remain hard at work developing plans to move forward. On Monday, the State University System of Florida (SUS) released an announcement that Board of Governors Chair Syd Kitson has directed State University System Chancellor Marshall Criser III to develop guidelines on COVID-19 to present to the Board of Governors at a public meeting on May 28. Universities will present their individual plans, based on these guidelines, to the Board of Governors at a board meeting on June 23.
President Fuchs released a statement in response to the SUS announcement. “I embrace yesterday’s announcement from the Board of Governors that the University of Florida and the rest of the State University System will reopen in the fall,” he said. “Guided by the experts at UF Health, we are confident that we can implement smart, comprehensive practices that will enable a thriving, well-functioning campus and surrounding community this fall as the local, state, national and global COVID-19 situations continue to evolve.” The full statement can be read online.
Finally, with Memorial Day upon us, I want to take a moment to recognize the members of our Gator community who’ve served and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for others. In the midst of our busy lives, I encourage everyone to honor our service members by doing something kind for someone else.
Be safe, be well, and as always – Go Gators!
Dr. D’Andra Mull
Vice President for Student Affairs
UPDATES:
Student Government COVID-19 Rent Relief Fund
Student Government is helping to provide financial relief to students facing difficulties paying rent. Applications opened Wednesday, May 20 and will close May 29 at 5 p.m. Learn more at
https://sg.ufl.edu/rent-relief-fund/
Share your work in virtual art showcase
Art enthusiasts may submit their work through June 5 for the Florida Museum of Natural History and Santa Fe College Art Gallery SciArt Virtual Showcase. The showcase of community art featuring work related to the theme of “Inspiring People to Care about Life on Earth” will go live on June 19 with three galleries divided by age.
Each person may submit up to three works of art. To download the submission form or for more information, visit the Florida Museum’s website.
Emergency Financial Support for Students
The University of Florida has been allocated funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide emergency financial aid grants. These critical funds will help eligible UF students cover expenses related to unanticipated travel, additional technology requirements, or other needs related to an emergency situation. Graduate assistants (this includes medical and veterinary residents), post-doctoral fellows and associates must apply as employees via the Faculty and Staff Aid-a-Gator program. UF Online, International, and DACA students are not eligible to receive CARES Act funding, but emergency funding for these students may be available through the UF Aid-a-Gator program.
Best practices for face mask safety
UF Health Shands Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Nicole Iovine shares tips on face mask safety, including the proper way to put on and remove a mask. View the video here.
Game Night
Through Summer A, Student Government will be hosting a Game Night every Thursday at 8 p.m. Here, students can participate in a TV quality trivia game show with a live host.