COVID vaccines, tests available this fall
Article By: Clark Leonard
As the University of North Georgia (UNG) plans for a return to normal operations this fall, it will continue to take precautions that promote the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Vaccines also are available for students across the state and on UNG's campuses.
Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are reminded that specific behaviors such as washing hands frequently and monitoring symptoms daily are known to reduce the spread of COVID-19. UNG encourages everyone to continue daily self-screenings, including temperature checks, before coming to campus. Anyone who has suspected COVID-19 symptoms or answers "yes" to any questions on the screening checklist should stay home and complete the COVID-19 self-reporting form.
Dahlonega Campus vaccination clinics
- Aug. 20: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sept. 10: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Oct. 1: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Oct. 22: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Nov. 12: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Dec. 3: 9-11:30 a.m.
Gainesville Campus vaccination clinics
- Aug. 27: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sept. 17: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Oct. 8: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Oct. 29: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Nov. 19: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Dec. 10: 9-11:30 a.m.
Starting Aug. 20, UNG will offer 12 vaccine clinics for students at Student Health Services. Appointments will be required, and sign-ups are posted in UNG Connect.
"Having vaccination clinics in place will make the vaccines available for all students who want them," Kathryn Smith, interim associate director of emergency preparedness, said. "This will help us have safe and healthy campuses."
The vaccine clinics are scheduled for Fridays so any student who experiences side effects from the vaccine has an opportunity to rest over the weekend.
These clinics will begin after the Hall County mass vaccination site in the Hugh Mills Gym on UNG's Gainesville Campus wraps up July 30. Through that date, vaccines are available to the public in that location for walk-ins and by appointment. To locate vaccines after July 30, call 800-232-0233 or visit https://www.vaccines.gov/search.
Ahead of the fall semester, UNG students, including incoming students, can get a free COVID-19 vaccine closer to home on one of 15 University System of Georgia (USG) campuses around the state. Information about dates of vaccine availability and contact information for the sites is on the USG website.
In addition to upcoming vaccine clinics, Student Health Services continues to offer free symptomatic COVID-19 testing for students by appointment. UNG faculty, staff and students also may get asymptomatic testing on specific dates; slots are available on multiple campuses.
Masks and face coverings are not required on UNG's campuses with two exceptions: On all campus shuttles and inside Student Health Services. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to maintain physical distance from others when possible and to wear face coverings while inside buildings or in large groups.
To help control the spread of the virus, students, faculty, and staff should complete a COVID-19 self-report form if they test positive for COVID-19, are presumed positive for COVID-19, or have been directly exposed to COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, regardless of vaccination status.
Across its campuses, UNG will utilize the most recent CDC guidance related to cleaning and disinfecting areas after a person tests positive for COVID-19.
If the answer is "yes" to one or more of the following questions, you should stay home.
- Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 related symptoms?
- Are you an unvaccinated person living with or caring for an individual who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19?
- Are you an unvaccinated person who has been in direct or close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
- Have you tested positive for COVID-19 since your last screening?
- Have you been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by a medical professional or a local public health official?
Get more information on the daily self-screening.
Music Major for a Day returns to Dahlonega
UNG will host 'Music Major for a Day' on Sept. 18 so curious high school students can experience life as a Nighthawk at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.
Annual event welcomes family and guests
UNG is set to welcome the families and guests of students during its annual Family Day event on Sept. 21.
UNG aims to ease application process
UNG is launching 'Apply to Fly!' nights on UNG's Blue Ridge, Cumming, Gainesville, and Oconee campuses this fall, with two events on each campus.
Students can shine at Georgia Film Festival
The eighth annual Georgia Film Festival will take place Sept. 12-14, featuring several UNG students.