Fall 2021
The Auburn Plainsman: Welcome Back 7
LETTER
SGA President: Welcome to Auburn By RETT WAGGONER
With the new semester of classes looking to be largely in-person, and life beginning to be more normal than we have known in over a year, I encourage everyone to continue to use safe practices and adhere to the guidelines set forth by the University. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, our collective efforts now are as important as ever in moving us back toward the Auburn Experience we all hope to see again. As always, I encourage you all to seek new challenges, make the most of every opportunity and lead with a spirit that is not afraid. We are here for you every step of the way — let us know how we can help. Good luck! Best wishes, Rett Waggoner jgw0016@auburn.edu
2021-2022 SGA President
War Eagle! For those of you joining us on campus for the first time, we could not be more excited to have you here. To the Auburn students returning, welcome back home. Whether you have spent the summer traveling, studying, working or sleeping in until noon, I hope you are well-rested and recharged for the upcoming semester. The Student Government Association is here to serve, promote and unify all that is Auburn. Over the course of the summer, we have worked hard to see your student experience is the best it can be. We believe this year will be the best yet and are excited to serve you throughout. Please utilize Auburn Answers to let us know your feedback on what is going around on campus. You can access this at aub.ie/auburnanswers.
VIA AUBURN SGA
Rett is a senior studying finance and president of the Student Government Association for 2021-2022.
LETTER
Dr. Kam: We need to take personal responsibility By FRED KAM Director of Auburn University Medical Clinic
Fall semester is here, and while we are beginning this fall in a better position than last year — testing is widely available, the medical community has learned how to better treat COVID patients and personal protective equipment is no longer in short supply — the Delta variant continues to spread rapidly. As more people arrive on campus, those of us in health care settings are seeing a sharp increase in calls to our clinics and visits to our testing sites. It is a scenario we have seen before, and it is not one we are thrilled to revisit. For us to have an uninterrupted fall semester, we must each take personal responsibility for ourselves and encourage those around us to do the same. Get vaccinated.
If you are not vaccinated, I am asking you to do so immediately. Vaccinations will help us stay in the classroom, fill Jordan-Hare this fall and keep yourself and those around you healthy. Infections are rising among younger people — including college-aged people — and almost all hospitalized patients are unvaccinated. The vaccine is free, safe and readily available on campus. There will be a pop-up vaccine clinic in the Melton Student Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 18, and appointments are not needed. Make a plan to receive the shot and encourage your friends to do the same. Once you are fully vaccinated, be sure to enter to win incentives for taking this important step. Wear your mask. Face coverings are the most effective non-pharmaceutical way to mitigate virus transmission. They pro-
tect you and those around you, and we need the extra protection to help keep the Delta variant at bay. Auburn’s indoor mask mandate is a temporary requirement, but it is necessary to keep the campus community healthier. Get tested and self-report. Given the virus’ rapid spread and tendency to infect close contacts, it is essential to get tested if you are symptomatic whether you are vaccinated or not and have been or could have been exposed to someone with COVID. To make an appointment to get tested at the Auburn University Medical Clinic, call 334-844-9825. If you test positive, be sure to complete the Self-Report Form. Each of us has a responsibility to help keep Auburn healthier this fall, and by committing to following these simple but crucial guidelines, we increase our chances of an uninterrupted semester.
VIA AUMC
Fred Kam, medical director at the Auburn University Medical Clinic, first came to Auburn in 1997.
