By: Joshua Brown, Vallo Vision News
University of Montevallo officials say in a survey of UM students, 78% say they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Director of University Marketing & Communications Kira Thomas says 953 students responded to the survey conducted this semester. That means 744 students, nearly 28% of the 2,656 students enrolled this fall, have self-reported as vaccinated.
University officials say they believe more students are vaccinated but cannot confirm since students are not required to share their vaccination status.
University President Dr. John W. Stewart III says other students are being encouraged to vaccinate as well.
“In order to help ensure everyone on campus has a fun, safe and healthy college experience throughout the fall semester, it is very important that you receive a COVID-19 vaccine,” Stewart said.
Stewart says the university did not require vaccination this fall in accordance with state law.
University of Montevallo junior Ramsey Thrash is fully vaccinated. She says while she’s happy to hear so many students are vaccinated, she hopes more will follow.
Courtesy: Ramsey Thrash
Thrash received her vaccine before the semester. Thrash’s younger sister is immunocompromised, so she’s high risk for coronavirus. Thrash says the university needs to do more to encourage students to take preventative actions like vaccination in order to stop the spread of COVID on campus and beyond.
“Whatever I can do to protect students, as well as myself, I will be doing,” Thrash said.
The University of Montevallo is offering bi-weekly COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics. To learn more about upcoming clinics, visit the Student Health Services website.
Current COVID-19 Protocols
University of Montevallo’s COVID-19 Task Force announced over the summer the university would return to pre-pandemic operations for the fall semester. There are currently no restrictions on classroom capacity. This means maintaining social distancing is often impossible in an in-person classroom.
“I know the university is doing all it can to keep our faculty, staff and students safe during the pandemic, while also promoting academic excellence,” Dr. Danielle Deavours, assistant professor of multimedia journalism said. “I try to wear my mask and social distancing wherever possible. When I can’t keep 6 feet away, I ensure I’m masked.”
The university’s COVID Task Force implemented a temporary face mask policy when classes began, currently set to expire Oct. 15. Thrash says she hopes the policy will be extended. She says she doesn’t mind wearing masks because it helps protect other students and herself. She wishes more students would wear them, saying many are not masking in crowded public areas like Farmer and Anna Irvin halls.
“We’re not aware of their vaccination status, whether they are immunocompromised, or what not,” Thrash said.
The university has seven positive student cases and one positive employee case as of October 5. All eight cases are quarantining off campus. Since January 2020, there have been a total of 121 cases reported.
To see the university’s cases or to report a positive test, visit the Montevallo COVID-19 case tracking site.
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