See also:  Student FAQs and Faculty/Staff FAQs

General FAQs

1. What if I want to continue to wear a mask?

Feel free to do so, and be considerate of those who wish to do so.

2. Are there any places where masking is still required?

Masking will remain in effect in patient care areas such as UMC and SHC.

3. What if I test positive?

See the What if I test positive? page. Please consult with your physician or those at UMC and SHC for the latest guidance for your personal medical care. Students will continue to be encouraged to return home for isolation. Regardless of testing status, if you are sick, stay home, self-quarantine, and mask around others.

4. What if I have symptoms?

See the What if I have symptoms? page. Testing is available at UMC and SHC. Even before you test, if you are sick, stay home, self-quarantine and mask around others. If you are an employee, contact your supervisor. Students should contact their professors.

5. Is remote learning allowed if I feel sick and I’m waiting on COVID-19 test results?

Ask your professor if course materials and/or recorded lectures are available. Faculty teaching in-person classes are not required to provide online options due to COVID-19 quarantine or isolation, absent necessary accommodations. They may be flexible when provided legitimate documentation of illness or quarantine orders. Consider getting vaccinated to avoid missing class due to severe illness.

6. Is quarantine-isolation space available on campus?

The University no longer provides separate quarantine or isolation space. Individuals required to follow quarantine/isolation protocols should plan to return to their legal residence and follow CDC guidance.

7. Is the hotline and CV19 consultation still available?

The CV19 Support program is no longer active. Please use this website for answers to questions about “What If I… test positive, have symptoms, or have been exposed.”

8. What if I am at-risk?

Employee accommodations remain available in certain circumstances.  Employee Accommodations – Health Info | The University of Alabama (ua.edu).  Student accommodations also remain available.  Student Accommodations – Health Info | The University of Alabama (ua.edu).  Consult your health care provider for advice specific to your situation.

9. What if there is another variant or surge?

Campus administration and health care providers will continue to monitor COVID-19, as they do any other infectious disease. The Situational Response Team can be re-convened if needed, and plans for outbreaks remain in existence.

10. I am a faculty member and a student has notified me that the student is positive – what should I do?

Please handle as you would any other requested/excused absence, according to the guidelines set out in your syllabus. Also, consult the “instructional guidelines” on healthinfo.ua.edu.  Faculty Guidelines – Health Info | The University of Alabama (ua.edu)

11. I am a faculty member and I have tested positive and/or have been quarantined because of sickness in my household. What should I do?

Talk with your department chair for the best solution. Also, consult the “instructional guidelines” on healthinfo.ua.edu. Faculty Guidelines – Health Info | The University of Alabama (ua.edu)

12. I am a supervisor and an employee has emailed me that the employee is positive – what should I do?

Follow normal protocols. If you have questions, please talk with your supervisor and/or professionals in HR.

13. What can I do to protect myself and others?

Get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines are available at no cost at UMC and SHC, as is testing. If you are sick, stay home, self-quarantine, and mask around others.

14. I’ve been vaccinated; do I have to wear a mask on campus?
Masks are required, regardless of vaccination status, only in specified locations:

• Health care facilities, including UMC and SHC

15. What if I am considered vulnerable or at-risk?

• CDC and other guidance define certain individuals as vulnerable, or more at-risk.
• In addition to providing vaccines, UA will provide face coverings to at-risk employees and students who request them, along with other reasonable preventive steps.
• Existing accommodations processes remain available, and those at-risk, especially those who are not vaccinated, should take appropriate actions and precautions.
• Employees – At-risk employees may exercise regular sick leave and annual leave, and may apply for accommodations under existing benefits and programs. Special COVID leave is no longer provided. The Human Resources Office will address specific questions or issues.
• Students – Course delivery was specified as students registered for fall semester courses to facilitate the format most appropriate for their needs. Those who registered for courses requiring attendance must abide by the syllabus. Students who wish to request accommodations due to a clinically diagnosed disability should contact the Office of Disability Services.

16. What are some symptoms of COVID-19?
See the ADPH or CDC website for the most current list of potential symptoms. Here are a few:

• Temperature higher than 100.4
• Fever or feeling feverish
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills or repeated shaking with chills
• New unexplained muscle pain
• New or atypical headache
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• New loss of taste or smell

17. What do I do if I feel sick?
If you feel sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, follow these guidelines even if you’ve been vaccinated.

18. Where do I go to be tested if I think I have COVID-19?
STUDENTS: The Student Health Center provides COVID testing for students who are sick or symptomatic.
EMPLOYEES: COVID-19 testing is currently available by appointment at University Medical Center for faculty and staff who are experiencing symptoms or illness.

19. Who do I contact if I miss class because I think I have COVID-19?
Class delivery and absence guidelines are returning to pre-pandemic expectations.  Start with your instructor.

20. Where can I get a vaccine on campus?
The Student Health Center (SHC) and University Medical Center (UMC) offer vaccines to all UA faculty, staff and students, and via UMC to community members. Please visit healthinfo.ua.edu to learn more about scheduling your vaccine appointment.

21. Can I get a booster shot on campus, even if I received my vaccine elsewhere?
Faculty, staff and students who received their vaccine elsewhere can still receive their booster on campus through SHC or UMC. Please visit healthinfo.ua.edu to learn more about scheduling your vaccine appointment.

22. Do I have to have an appointment to get vaccinated?
Appointments are preferred and allow for the proper amount of vaccine to be thawed and prepared. The Student Health Center (SHC) and University Medical Center (UMC) offer the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to all UA faculty, staff and students. Please visit healthinfo.ua.edu to learn more about scheduling your vaccine appointment.

23. I think I’m having side effects to the vaccine; what do I do?
The CDC provides useful information about what to expect, including common side effects, helpful tips and what to do in case of an allergic reaction.

24. What should I do if I’m vaccinated but my roommate tests positive?
Follow the guidance on the What if I have been exposed? page.

25. Is remote learning allowed if I feel sick and I’m waiting on COVID-19 test results?
Ask your professor if course materials and/or recorded lectures are available. Faculty teaching in-person classes are not required to provide online options due to COVID-19 quarantine or isolation, absent necessary accommodations. They may be flexible when provided legitimate documentation of illness or quarantine orders. Consider getting vaccinated to avoid missing class due to severe illness.

26. What’s the difference between isolation and quarantine?
Isolation is required for those who test positive for COVID-19. Quarantine is required for unvaccinated individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Most people are able to self-quarantine in place. See healthinfo.ua.edu for more details.

27. Do I have to get vaccinated if I’ve already had COVID-19?
Faculty, staff, and students are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated.

28. In the event of severe weather, will UA storm shelters open?
Yes. In the event of a tornado watch or warning, the University will open storm shelters and best available refuge areas (BARAs) for students, faculty and staff. Even with social distancing precautions, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recommends that your priority should be to protect yourself from a potential tornado. If a warning is issued for the campus area, you are more likely to be affected by the tornado than the virus. Wherever you choose to shelter from severe weather, you should use as many precautions as possible to inhibit the spread of COVID-19 as best as you can. Campus storm shelters can be located by using the UA Safety App or by visiting ready.ua.edu.

29. Can I get accommodations for COVID-19?
STUDENTS who continue to be impacted by COVID-19 due to a clinically diagnosed disability can apply for academic accommodations with the Office of Disability Services. At-risk EMPLOYEES may exercise regular sick leave and annual leave, and may apply for accommodations under existing benefits and programs. Special COVID leave is no longer provided.

30. What will happen if my instructor tests positive for COVID-19; will my course become fully online?
Follow instructions provided by your faculty member.

31. Does the University of Alabama System plan to continue COVID-19 dashboard updates? Will the dashboard include vaccination rates for faculty, staff and students?
Due to the low case numbers, the dashboard will no longer be updated. It is available at https://uasystem.edu/covid-19/dashboard.

32. I feel very overwhelmed and anxious; is there someone I can talk to about anxiety?
Yes, the UA Counseling Center offers a wide variety of services to both graduate and undergraduate students. The Counseling Center is located in the 3000 South Lawn Office Building (1101 Jackson Ave.) or call 205-348-3863 during operating hours or call the UA Police Department at 205-348-5454 and ask to speak with the on-call counselor when the center is closed. You may also text BAMA to 741-741 to text with a trained volunteer. Visit healthinfo.ua.edu for additional resources.