Dear Students,
Fall is officially here, and statewide, but especially in Gainesville, the slight adjustment in temperature is a pleasant change.
This week, UF Health Screen, Test & Protect launched saliva-based testing. Along with a handful of other institutions around the country, UF Health has validated the saliva collection procedure, first developed and reported by researchers at Yale University. For many people, this new testing option will make things a lot easier and will remove one more barrier to getting tested for COVID-19.
Again, students in Gainesville can now be screened and tested for COVID-19 once per week through UF Health Screen, Test & Protect. Simply go to ONE.UF, complete the questionnaire and schedule your test.
We are now less than 40 days away from Election Day. Students, your voice matters, and it is time to make your voting plans. UF’s Student Government announced its’ partnership with the Gator Get Out the Vote Coalition and the Bob Graham Center as one of more than 75 colleges and universities working to register potential voters through the TurboVote system. Floridians have until Oct. 5 to register to participate in the upcoming election.
For Alachua County registered voters, the Career Connections Center in the Reitz Union will be an early voting location beginning Monday, October 19, 2020 through Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On the eve of SEC football season and the Gators’ first game (AWAY), I invite you to all to celebrate kickoff by sharing your #GatoradeToast this weekend.
I also want to remind all our students to practice healthy behaviors to keep our community safe. Whether you are on or off campus, it is imperative you do not gather in large groups and wear a mask when you cannot be 6 feet apart.
Thank you for your continued efforts to uphold policies to protect yourself and others. I wish you all a restful weekend cheering on our team.
Be safe, be well, and as always – Go Gators!
Dr. D’Andra Mull
Vice President for Student Affairs
Quick Links:
https://ufhealth.org/news/2020/uf-health-screen-test-protect-unveils-new-saliva-test-replace-uncomfortable-nasal-swabs
https://one.uf.edu/
https://www.alligator.org/opinion/pope-register-to-be-a-voter-today/article_ff6b7d24-fceb-11ea-b865-6f299cd1fa44.html
https://ufl.turbovote.org/
https://policy.ufl.edu/policy/student-behavioral-expectations-in-response-to-covid-19/
https://policy.ufl.edu/policy/masking-and-physical-distancing
https://www.facebook.com/ufstudentgov/videos/1001670160279913/