Dear Colleagues,
With 95% of our University of Maine System community vaccinated, a logical next step in continuing to curb the COVID threat and finishing the final weeks of the semester safely and in person is to support ongoing vaccination of our employees now eligible to receive their booster shots.
On November 17, Governor Janet Mills announced that all Mainers ages 18 and older who have been fully vaccinated for a sufficient period of time are now eligible for the free booster. University of Maine System faculty and staff now qualify for two hours of paid administrative leave time that can be used to receive their COVID-19 booster.
This availability of paid administrative leave is similar to the offer made to faculty and staff in the spring to get their first COVID-19 vaccine shot.
We continue to urge adherence to safety practices with the addition of the booster and flu shots as part of the UMS plan to safely provide in-person learning and activities through the scheduled Dec.17 end of the fall semester.
As you know, the System requires vaccination for all its students. Employees must also be vaccinated or have a qualified exemption as required by university and federal policy by Jan. 4.
The University of Maine System continues to discuss the potential impacts of its employee vaccination mandate with all six bargaining units. In support of ongoing communication with employees, UMS will launch an outreach and support effort after the Thanksgiving holiday to bring all of its faculty and staff into full compliance with federal requirements.
Thank you for your continued efforts to ensure a safe learning and working environment for our UMS community.
Sincerely,
