UNM-GALLUP FALL SEMESTER RETURN GUIDE

As UNM-Gallup approaches the start of the fall semester on August 23rd, we’ve compiled some helpful information and resources in one place below for our students, faculty, and staff. Please check back often as this information may be updated.

BY LEE LAMB | AUGUST 6, 2021

Categories: Students Faculty Staff Community

August 6, 2021 - While the fall semester officially kicks off on Monday, August 23rd, the UNM-Gallup community has transitioned over the summer from its nearly year-and-a-half limited campus operations to a more normal operating environment. With these normal campus operations, facilities are becoming more accessible, personnel are returning to their offices, and in-person events are being scheduled at UNM-Gallup. Even so, we’re also navigating some new and changing COVID-19 protocols that will impact your return to campus.

To ensure that our faculty, staff, and students have the information they need to approach the start of the fall semester safely and confidently, we’ve put together this quick guide that hopefully will give you the resources you need for a safe and productive return to campus.

UNM-Gallup Mask Policy

Effective Monday, August 2nd, UNM-Gallup requires masks to be worn indoors by all individuals, vaccinated and unvaccinated. All students, faculty, staff, and visitors should wear their masks at all times in UNM-Gallup buildings unless they are eating, drinking, or in an office alone.

This decision is based on CDC guidance that masks must be worn in counties with a seven-day average community transmission of more than seven new cases per 100,000 persons. Unfortunately, McKinley County has recently seen an increase in transmission that places us above this line.

Vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask outdoors on campus, including the fitness trail. We will revisit our masking policy as we continue to watch relevant data on disease progression.

UNM-GALLUP VACCINE REQUIREMENT

UNM-Gallup is fortunate to operate within McKinley where most of the community has received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Even so, our campus operates within the entire UNM system, which has public safety considerations for all Lobos, and we have the responsibility to provide our system with the best odds that in-person instruction will continue throughout the fall semester and beyond.

To that end, UNM requires that all faculty, staff, and students accessing university facilities and programs be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as possible but no later than September 30, 2021 (subject to limited exceptions and exemptions). This mandate, of course, applies to the UNM-Gallup campus.

If you are a member of the faculty, staff, or student employee and believe that you cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to a qualifying disability, a serious medical condition or medical contraindications, or precautions recognized by the US food and Drug Administration (FDA) or CDC, you may make a request for reasonable accommodation to the UNM Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity Office.

Students requiring medical accommodations in their academic environment must submit a request to the Accessibility Resource Center.

A reasonable accommodation to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate may be granted based on a person’s sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Like the process outlined above, a request for reasonable accommodation must be submitted to the UNM Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity Office.

All UNM-Gallup personnel and students must provide documentation of full vaccination using a vaccine authorized by FDA License or under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). All documentation to verify vaccination or exceptions must be uploaded at https://goto.unm.edu/vaccineverification.

Understandably, you may have additional questions related to this mandate. UNM has published—and will continue to update—this policy titled “Administrative Mandate on Required COVID-19 Vaccination” on the following webpage: https://bringbackthepack.unm.edu/vaccine/vaccine-requirement.html

We encourage you to check this page often and also stay close to your Lobo Mail throughout the fall semester as COVID-19 policies are updated with new public health data.

ZOLLINGER LIBRARY

Beginning Monday, August 2, the Zollinger Library will resume in-building services. No appointment is required; curbside pickup of print materials and Wifi Hotspots is no longer available.

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is required to wear a mask at all times while in campus buildings (other than when eating and drinking in approved campus locations). The Library has disposable masks should you need one upon entering.

Through Sunday, August 22, the Library will be open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Friday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm and closed on Saturday and Sunday. We will update Library hours as we get closer to Monday, August 23.

Students may still make online requests for Research Assistance, Interlibrary Loan (ILL), and for the Library to purchase material for the collection. Request forms are located at: https://www.gallup.unm.edu/library/request-a-service.php Select Students in the Services for drop-down box.

Faculty/Staff may still make online requests for Scanning of Materials for student access, Interlibrary Loan (ILL), Virtual Instruction Visit, and for the Library to purchase material for the collection. Request forms are located at: https://www.gallup.unm.edu/library/request-a-service.php Select Faculty/Staff in the Services for drop-down box.

If you have questions or need additional information, you can call the library directly at (505) 863-7531.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

All freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 credit hours are required to participate in New Student Orientation. UNM-Gallup will host an in-person Orientation on Friday August 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students who register after August 13th, or those who are unable to attend the live Orientation, may complete New Student Orientation To-Go online. Students who opt to complete the online orientation must complete a post-quiz before we can record participation.

THE GREY AREA: SEXUAL MISCONDUCT PREVENTION TRAINING

UNM provides mandatory sexual misconduct prevention training to all students enrolled in a degree-seeking program. This training is required of all students enrolled at branch campuses as well. Beginning Fall 2021, The Grey Area will be delivered to UNM-Gallup students online. Please make sure to regularly check your unm.edu email for pertinent information, including information related to this requirement.

UNM-GALLUP PHYSICAL EDUCATION COMPLEX

The UNM-Gallup Physical Education Complex will open on August 23rd for regularly scheduled P.E. courses and open recreation hours. Operating hours, including those reserved for open recreation, may vary and will be based on staffing resources. Our recreational personnel are committed to providing a safe environment for students and employees to recreate while also ensuring proper health and safety protocols can be implemented. As such, we are not able to offer the opportunity to participate in intramurals or other group sports activities at this time

The outdoor fitness trail is currently open. Unvaccinated visitors are required to wear a mask while utilizing the fitness trail.

ADMISSIONS & REGISTRATON

The office of Admissions & Registration is located in the Student Services and Technology Center (SSTC). Admissions and Registration staff are working and available to be of assistance. While in-person services are available, we encourage all individuals to continue to utilize live chat, phone and email services as well as our online forms and document upload options. Appointments may also be scheduled by emailing gallupadmissions@unm.edu. To apply online, access live chat, and learn more about Admissions & Registration please visit https://www.gallup.unm.edu/admissions/

FINANCIAL AID

The Financial Aid office is located in the Student Services and Technology Center (SSTC) and staff are working and available to be of assistance. We encourage students to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer to complete the FAFSA or discuss any other financial aid and/or scholarship processes. Students may also continue to contact the department through live chat, phone, and email. We also encourage students to continue utilizing online forms and document upload options to expedite processing. For more information about financial aid services and options please visit https://www.gallup.unm.edu/financialaid/

ADVISEMENT

Our Student Success Specialists are currently providing all advisement services via appointment only. Advising appointments may be conducted in-person, online, or over the phone based on student needs. Students can schedule an appointment with their assigned advisor through LoboAchieve. General inquiries may also be submitted via email or live chat.

New students who choose to opt-out of current course placement processes (which utilize a student’s previous academic history and transcripts) and prefer to complete the Accuplacer may contact the Advisement office for information on in-person or remote testing options.

To learn how to schedule an appointment, view advisor assignments, access live chat, and learn more about the various services and processes provided by our advisement team please visit https://www.gallup.unm.edu/advising/

BURSAR / CASHIER’S

The UNM-Gallup Bursar’s office, also known as Cashier’s, has personnel available for in-person and phone services M-F 8:00-4:30. The Cashier’s office is located in the Student Services and Technology Center. Students may meet with staff to submit cash payments or set-up bookstore charge accounts.

Bookstore charging begins Monday August 9th and ends on Friday August 13th. Students must have a complete financial aid file in order to establish a charge account. Students may login to www.my.unm.edu to access their Bursar’s Account Suite to view their current statement, set-up direct deposit for refunds, establish a payment plan, or submit credit card payments. For policies and information related to billing and student accounts please visit https://bursar.unm.edu/

OTHER UNM-GALLUP SUPPORT PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

Please visit the following program webpages for information related to additional support programs and resources, including operational updates. Quick links are provided below for your convenience:

Accessibility Resource Center: https://www.gallup.unm.edu/arc/

Campus Bookstore: https://www.gallup.unm.edu/bookstore/

Center for Academic Learning: https://www.gallup.unm.edu/cal/

TRIO/Student Support Services: https://www.gallup.unm.edu/trio/

TRIO/Upward Bound:https://www.gallup.unm.edu/trio-ub/

Veterans Resource Center: https://www.gallup.unm.edu/vrc/

Zollinger Library:https://www.gallup.unm.edu/library/