University of Arkansas - Fort SmithCOVID-19 FAQs
UAFS COVID-19 FAQS AND RESPONSE
We have created this FAQ page as a quick reference guide. Please feel free to send any questions not answered on this page to Communications@uafs.edu.
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CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
No. UAFS encourages, but does not require, employees, students, and guests to wear well-fitting face masks.
No. Arkansas state law prohibits UAFS from requiring vaccinations of its students or employees. Act 977, which was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Asa Hutchinson during the 2021 session, prohibits the state from mandating a vaccine or immunization. It also states that receiving a vaccine for COVID-19 cannot be a condition of education, employment, entry, or services from the state or for obtaining a license, certificate, or permit from a state agency or entity.
Yes. In accordance with the most recent public guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Arkansas Department of Health, quarantine and isolation protocols will proceed as follows:
After Exposure to COVID-19:
Individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 should follow these protocols:
- Instead of quarantining, you should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
- Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.
- You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do
not yet have test results.
- If your test results are positive, follow CDC's full isolation recommendations.
- If your test results are negative, you can end your isolation.
- You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do
not yet have test results.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19:
- Should stay home and isolate for at least five (5) days. You are likely most infectious during these first five (5) days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
- If after five (5) days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day five (5).
- Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
- You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
- If you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19 or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
- If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
- After you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
- Screening testing of asymptomatic people without known exposures is no recommended in most community settings.
Campus covid operations
Yes. All students should notify the Office of the Dean of Students. Faculty and staff members should notify their manager or department head if they test positive for COVID-19 or if they must self-quarantine.
Students may contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 479-788-7310 or Dave.Stevens@uafs.edu.
If you develop flu-like symptoms, please stay at home and contact your primary care physician or the UAFS Powell Student Health Clinic, a free health and wellness resource for eligible students, at 479-788-7444or StudentHealth@uafs.edu
To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Search vaccines.gov, text your Zip code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.
You can get your COVID-19 vaccines at the same location, or different locations.
If you need hep scheduling your 2nd primary dose or booster, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. It is never too late to get the added protection offered by completing your primary series or getting a COVID-19 booster.
Some community vaccination clinics have closed. You can get your 2nd primary dose or a booster at a different location.
Learn more about getting your COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes. All students should notify the Office of the Dean of Students. Faculty and staff members should notify their manager or department head if they test positive for COVID-19 or if they must self-quarantine.
Students may contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 479-788-7310 or Dave.Stevens@uafs.edu.
The university is not responsible for contact tracing, and university employees should not disclose the positive status of students under any circumstances. Likewise, employees should not disclose the positive status of any of their colleagues.
Yes, the UAFS Powell Student Health Clinic will provide services, but students should first make an appointment by contacting the clinic at 479-788-7444 or StudentHealth@UAFS.edu.
The Health Clinic is also able to provide essential wellness services over the phone at 479-788-7444.
Yes, the Counseling Center will provide services, but students should first call to make an appointment for either telehealth or in-person counseling at 479-788-7398.
Students will have the opportunity to access counseling services via Telehealth. Students wishing to access this service should call our Counseling Center at 479-788-7398. The Counseling Center staff will provide the student with detailed instructions on how to access the Doxyme platform.
The DHS mental health and addictions hotline is available at 844-763-0198.
The United Way's 2-1-1 hotline will provide resources and referrals for a wide variety of financial assistance as well as access to physical and mental health services.
Students
Courses will be delivered fully in person or by one of three online delivery methods:
- Fully Online — All instruction online with no expectation of class attendance and asynchronous lectures and materials.
- Synchronous Online* — Full-online delivery with a required time for students to log in and join discussion and lecture.
- Hybrid — Mostly online with reduced class meeting schedule of at least one-third of standard time but no more than two-thirds of standard time.
Students who choose traditional learning styles will be expected to attend class and participate on campus. However, accommodations will be made on an as-needed basis for individual circumstances.
Computers that meet the following specifications:
WINDOWS PC
Standard User: i5 quad-core with 8GB RAM and 500 GB hard drive
Media Comm: i7 with 8GB RAM and 500 GB hard drive
CGT/BSAT: i7 with 16GB RAM and 500 GB hard drive
MAC:
Standard User:
MacBook Air: i5 with 8GB RAM and 256GB hard drive
MacBook Pro: i5 with 16GB RAM and 256GB hard drive
Graphic Design:
iMac or MacBook Pro: i7 with 16GB RAM (minimum) and 512GB hard drive
Certain majors may require higher-end video cards. Check with your instructor if you have questions.
All computers should have a webcam and mic. Chromebooks and tablets are not recommended.
Yes. Electronic official transcripts can be sent to institutions and individuals (including yourself) via the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), our third-party provider. There is a $3.50 fee for this service, payable to NSC by credit card. A physical address and a valid email address are required.
Official transcripts will not be released if there is any outstanding financial obligation to UAFS.
Current students can view and print an unofficial transcript by visiting My.UAFS and selecting the Student Services option followed by Financial Aid and View Transcripts.
Faculty and Staff
- Attempt to engage with EAB Navigate alerts early and often to help students stay aware of potential issues and help advisors keep up with struggling students in real time.
- Be compassionate with students who are learning remotely for the first time.
- Ask students to let you know if they are struggling with the new format. Encourage open communication.
- Ask students if they have technology needs.
Student appointments should be held via FERPA-compliant services such as telephone, Google Meetings, or Blackboard Collaborate.
If you have scheduled appointments, please reach out to the students to schedule the appointment remotely.
Employees absent due to COVID illness, quarantine, isolation, quarantine care of a child, or for other COVID-related issues must use sick leave, annual leave, comp time (as available), or leave without pay in accordance with applicable University leave policies.
Please remember to work with your supervisor about remote work options in the event you need to be out for a COVID-related reason and are able to remote work. In the event you are unable to work (even remotely), please enter absence requests as usual in Workday.
Please continue to reach out to HR at Brittany.Slamons@uafs.edu or Mandy.Keyes@uafs.edu for information about quarantine requirements if you test positive or are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID.