UNH Announces Changes to COVID-19 Testing and Mask Use

June 11, 2021

Dear Members of the UNH Community—

Summer classes and activities on our campuses are underway and next week is the start of several one-day, in-person orientation sessions for our incoming students and their families. Changes are occurring around the state and the country, and here at UNH, too. We will continue to monitor the data that comes out of our testing lab, the number of vaccination cards uploaded and public health guidance, but it is time to begin fully reopening our campuses.

An important note: the COVID-19 vaccination is strongly encouraged but not required. The more members of our community who are vaccinated, the more safe and open our campuses will be, especially for those who are unable to or choose not to be vaccinated. You may provide proof that you are fully vaccinated using the confidential Health & Wellness portal or here. The information you provide will be confidential and used only for the purpose of confirming your vaccination status, consistent with the Health & Wellness Notice of Privacy Practices. If you provide proof you will be eligible to receive one of several incentives (continue to watch your email) and allow us to continue to more fully open our campuses. The following changes will be in place effective Monday, June 28:

  • Masks are optional outside, as previously announced
  • If fully vaccinated, masks are optional indoors; anyone who is not vaccinated must wear a mask indoors as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
  • Regular COVID-19 testing for anyone who is not fully vaccinated will continue as scheduled. Anyone who provides proof they are fully vaccinated will be exempted from the regular testing requirement. You must upload proof of vaccination in order to be exempted. We will continue wastewater monitoring and offer voluntary surveillance testing for anyone who wants to continue to participate
  • Student activities, including intramural sports, will resume with in-person meetings and events to include travel
  • Dining halls will continue to expand offerings and remove plexiglass barriers
  • Guidance for employees about returning to on-campus work in August will be provided soon
  • Visitors who are fully vaccinated or have a negative PCR test within seven days are welcome on our campuses. Access to Dimond Library will no longer require a valid Wildcat Pass but other locations on our campuses will.

As I’ve said before, we’re all in this together. Final decisions about what our campuses look like this fall will be based on positivity rates in the surrounding community and vaccination rates. Please get vaccinated if it is safe for you to do so.

James W. Dean Jr.

President