By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
• September 10, 2021
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said Thursday that Pitt’s new COVID-19 testing program for the academic year is estimated to cost between $20 and $50 million in order to test unvaccinated students weekly, starting on Monday.
Dr. John Williams, head of Pitt’s COVID-19 Medical Response Office, said Wednesday that with high vaccination numbers and the COVID-19 positivity rate at less than 1%, the University is in a “great place” for the start of the fall semester.
John Williams, head of Pitt’s COVID-19 Medical Response Office, said vaccines are important so students can return to their normal routines as the CDC releases more liberal guidelines for vaccinated people.
All students should be required to have a COVID-19 vaccination to participate in on-campus activities next fall, according to a proposal introduced at Wednesday’s Faculty Assembly meeting. No formal vote was given on this resolution at the meeting.
Pitt’s Faculty Assembly passed new term limits for Senate officers and discussed upcoming anti-racism panel discussions, next week’s Self Care Day and tentative plans for an in-person commencement at Wednesday afternoon’s meeting.
Provost Ann Cudd said in a Wednesday afternoon email to faculty members that they can apply to teach their classes in person if there is a “definable benefit” to in-person instruction, and if an instructor’s dean or regional campus president approves teaching plans.
