President's Letter

FAMU Seal

August 11, 2021



Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

COVID-19 cases are surging because of the new delta variant, the large numbers of unvaccinated people and other issues - setting new local and state records for hospitalizations. Our School of Allied Health Sciences has again loaned ventilators to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare because of the surge in hospitalizations of critically ill patients in our community.

Everyone at Florida A&M University has an obligation to the FAMULY to take steps to prevent further transmission of COVID-19. We are in this together, and we all have important roles in furthering our personal health and that of fellow students and colleagues. It is the right thing to do - and medical experts say that vaccinations and masking are two tools we can use to achieve these goals.

Therefore, we are advising you of the following steps we are taking in our efforts to ensure a safe and successful fall semester:

  1. Effective immediately, in light of new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we expect everyone to wear a mask at all times when inside any  FAMU  facility,  even  if  you  are vaccinated. This includes students, faculty, staff, vendors, and visitors. Recent studies and guidance from the CDC state that both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals can transmit the current COVID-19 variant to unvaccinated persons.
  2. If you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated. Students should aim to be fully vaccinated before their return to campus, but if unable, they should strive to have at least one shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine no later than the first day of classes on August 23. The on-campus vaccination site at 674 Gamble Street also has the Johnson & Johnson one shot vaccine. Vaccination not only helps prevent you from becoming seriously ill or hospitalized with COVID-19, but the more people who are vaccinated, the more it also protects those around us as well - our friends, families, colleagues, and others.
  3. a.m. to 5 p.m., daily Monday through Saturday. No appointment is necessary. Students who receive the first dose of the vaccine at home can receive their second dose on campus. Anyone who chooses not to be vaccinated assumes a significant risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it to others.
  4. COVID-19 testing remains available on campus 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Tests are free and no appointment is necessary.
  5. If you are sick, stay home and self-quarantine. Please call your primary care provider if you are ill and need immediate care. Also report positive test results to our Director of Student Health Services, Ms. Tanya Tatum.
  6. Please continue to follow healthy habits such as frequent hand washing.

I would be remiss if I fail to applaud those who are already vaccinated for taking this crucial step toward preventing the spread of the virus and for leading by example.   I am proud of the way our students, faculty and staff have persevered in the face of this unrelenting pandemic over the past year and half. It has brought a new and more profound meaning to our motto, "Excellence with Caring." However, as we have witnessed, letting our guard down before the fight is over can lead to dire consequences. Safeguarding your health and the welfare of this great institution entrusted to us requires a continued commitment from each and every one of us.

Let' s "Protect the FAMULY." Sincerely,

Larry Robinson, Ph.D.