NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

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As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have moved to the next phase of our campus health and safety plan in partnership with GuideSafe™️. COVID-19 sentinel testing began Sept. 8 on campus for students, faculty and staff through GuideSafe™️. Sentinel testing involves testing a random sample of UM’s population weekly to help monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 in our campus community. Every week, we intend to randomly test at least 3 percent of our on-campus population.

All students who participate in sentinel testing will receive a gift certificate as an incentive to participate.

If you have not already, please visit healthy.verily.com to set up an account to be included in sentinel testing. Use your UM email address to create your account. You will answer some basic questions and verify your email. Once your account is created, you are all done for now.

UMNAA Mask Initiative

Students, do you need an additional mask? UM’s amazing alumni are here to help.

Recently, hundreds of masks (handmade and purchased by alumni) were delivered to Student Affairs as part of the UM National Alumni Association mask initiative.

Masks will be available outside the Student Life office in Farmer Hall weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Alumni Office will replenish masks periodically. For more information about the UMNAA mask initiative, visit montevallo.edu/mask-making.

SGA Fall Election

The Student Government Association fall election will be held Sept. 21-23 on Falconlink. Students should use their UM username and password to log in at falconlink.montevallo.edu. Students will have the opportunity to vote for freshman senators and Mr. and Ms. Montevallo finalists. The election results will be announced via email on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Need Writing Assistance?

The Harbert Writing Center is here to help you write better, right now. Appointments with trained writing consultants are available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Visit montevallo.mywconline.com to set up your account and make your appointments.

UM Department of Theatre Receives National Accreditation

The University of Montevallo’s Department of Theatre has received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), meaning every visual and performing arts department at the University is now nationally accredited.

Montevallo joins only about 190 other schools across the nation in holding the prestigious NAST accreditation. NAST voted to admit UM as an associate member in August following a comprehensive and rigorous review of the University’s Department of Theatre. Read more.

UM Green Fund Call for Proposals

The UM Green Fund is a pool of money used to provide grants for campus projects that improve sustainability, decrease our ecological footprint and educate the University and local communities about sustainable practices, environmental issues and caring for the planet. The Green Fund has $30,000 available! Any member of the UM community, including students and student groups, can write a Green Fund grant proposal. See this list for past funded proposals. Application guidelines available on request. Contact Dr. Susan Caplow for more information. Proposals are due by Thursday, Oct. 15.

A drop-in proposal workshop will be held via Zoom Friday, Oct. 2, between 1 and 5 p.m. Bring your ideas and we’ll answer questions, brainstorm ideas and help you strengthen your proposal before you submit. Email Caplow to request the Zoom meeting invitation.

Tutoring Available Through the LEC

The Learning Enrichment Center is open and offers free tutoring to all UM students! We have trained tutors available to assist you in a variety of courses including accounting, biology, chemistry, math, physics, psychology, Spanish, French and more. You can request a tutor for your classes now using this link.

This fall, we are offering a combination of in-person and online tutoring services.  Visit our webpage to learn more.

COVID-19  Reporting for Students

As we all continue to work together to keep the UM campus safe and healthy this semester, it is very important that the University be made aware of any  student positive COVID-19 tests.

If you test positive, please complete the COVID-19 reporting form at  montevallo.edu/reportcovid  as soon as possible.

Once you fill out the form, the University will follow up with appropriate instructions related to quarantining and other safety measures.

EVENTS

Virtual Mental Health Fair

UPC will be hosting a Virtual Mental Health Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. The event will be held on Zoom. Students who would like to attend should RSVP for the event on Falconlink to receive the Zoom invitation. Participants will hear from Reese Butler, founder of 1-800-SUICIDE, the National Hopeline Network that has routed more than 5 million callers to help and hope.

Boom Boom Bingo

SGA will be hosting Boom Boom Bingo on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. One thing is for sure, this is no ordinary game of bingo! The event will be hosted by a live DJ. There will be dancing, goofy prizes, multiple chances to win, ’80s and ’90s throwbacks, sing-a-longs, trivia questions and of course a whole lot of bingo fun without having to leave your room. The event will be held on Twitch. RSVP on Falconlink to receive instructions for participating.

Flu Vaccine Clinic

Student Health Services will host a flu vaccine clinic for UM students, faculty, staff, family members and members of the community in the Farmer Hall meeting room Thursday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees must bring their health insurance card. Masks must be worn and social distancing guidelines must be adhered to at the clinic. The cost of the vaccine with no health insurance is $25 for UM students and employees who present their UM ID card, and $30 for family members and members of the community. The vaccine is available at NO COST to insured individuals.

Flu clinic participants should print and fill out a vaccination form and bring it with them to the clinic. Forms are available here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, influenza vaccination will be especially important this upcoming flu season to reduce the impact of respiratory illnesses in the population and resulting burdens on the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because COVID-19 and the flu share many symptoms, individuals who display flu-like symptoms may be required to quarantine until they receive a negative COVID-19 test. Getting a flu vaccine mitigates this by helping to prevent the onset of symptoms due to the flu.