Five end-of-August details you need to know for fall

As we count down to the first day of school, here are five things you need to know for fall.

1) Vaccine verification

PLU was one of the first universities in Washington to announce the expansion of student immunization requirements to include the COVID-19 vaccine. In spring, PLU added a requirement of COVID-19 vaccination for faculty and staff.

We are thankful that our community has made such impressive progress on our vaccination goals — over 92% of our faculty and staff have reported being fully vaccinated, and our in-progress tallying of student information is revealing that the percentage of vaccinated students promises to reach 95–97%.

Students, if you still haven’t submitted your COVID-19 vaccine record — or exemption request — to the Health Center, please do so immediately. Failure to do this can delay your move into the residence halls, student employment, athletics participation, and even your start of classes.

Staff and faculty, if you have not submitted your employee vaccination verification, please do so as soon as possible.

2) How does COVID-19 testing work?

Students — Regardless of vaccination status, students who are experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms should make an appointment with the Health Center to participate in testing.

Students who have completed a vaccination exemption must test weekly and will receive specific communication and calendar invitations for this purpose starting on August 30th. Testing sessions will begin on Monday, September 6, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in the 2021-2022 COVID Testing Center in AUC 213.

Student-athletes with exemptions will continue to participate in testing managed by Athletic Training based on the frequency required by NCAA guidance for their sport.

Faculty and staff — Regardless of vaccination status, employees who are experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms should make an appointment with their healthcare provider to participate in testing. Additionally, Pierce County is offering testing at the Pierce County Covid-19 Testing Station, only six minutes away from campus. The testing station is open seven days a week.

Faculty and staff who have completed a vaccination exemption must test weekly. Employees will need to secure weekly testing off-campus starting the week of September 11, and report test results. Additional information will be communicated to those impacted and their supervisors.

3) Expanded health resources

We continue to prioritize providing our community with equitable access to holistic, personalized health resources that are responsive to who they are. Our emphasis has been on expanding mental-health resources and supports. Please consider adding these resources to your web-based bookmarks and phone contacts:

• PLU Counseling Center — PLU’s Counseling Center serves as a community-engaged, responsive mental-health resource for PLU students and offers both scheduled and limited walk-in appointments.
• Lute Telehealth — Offerings have been expanded to include psychiatry, nutrition consultation, meditation, and yoga, in addition to ongoing core services that include 24/7/365 counseling and health care options.
• BetterYou — This app-based wellness resource is designed to support first-year Lutes in their transition to PLU. The app includes attention to wellness attributes such as sleep, nutrition, stress management, and more. Download the app and use your PLU email address to connect with BetterYou. Interested students may learn about and access the app here.
• ThrivingCampus — Students who need or desire mental-health resources beyond the current scope of the PLU Counseling Center or resources offered through Lute Telehealth may use this resource to identify community providers with experience and expertise in identity-engaged, culturally responsive counseling; specialized care; and working with college students.
• PLU Crisis Line — Students needing immediate access to mental-health resources and support may call the 24/7/365 PLU Crisis Line at 253-535-7075.
• Faculty/Staff Resources — PLU’s Counseling Center, Lute Telehealth, and the Student Care Network are available for consultation with staff and faculty regarding their support of student mental health and well-being. Faculty and staff seeking mental-health resources for themselves are encouraged to access the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

4) Keeping up to date

PLU will continue our periodic updates — primarily sent on Fridays — to help keep you up to date on the university’s COVID-19 response. Guidance related to health and safety protocols is subject to change. In addition to reviewing our periodic updates, please use the resources on the COVID-19 website to keep informed on health-related information and links to campus metrics, announcements, and frequently asked questions.

5) First day of school and Convocation

The first day of school is September 7. Opening Convocation begins at 10 a.m., and classes start at noon.

What is Convocation? PLU marks the opening of our “new year” with Convocation. This ceremony dates back to medieval university customs meant to welcome new students and faculty and set intentions for the year ahead. This year, the ceremony will take on a special meaning as we convene together in Olson Auditorium — masked up, spaced farther apart than we normally are, doors open to the outside, and with fewer participants in the room — to share the tradition and energy of the day in person.

All students are welcome to attend, with a special invitation to Lutes who have not attended the ceremony before.