Free Covid-19 Vaccines to Be Available for New Students, Community Members at WT Orientations

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Beginning May 22, a community Covid-19 vaccine clinic will be held in conjunction with each of the next 13 new student orientation events at West Texas A&M University.

The clinic will be open to all students, prospective students, their families who attend orientation, and all community members ages 18 and older. WT will host the clinics, which will be coordinated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management; members of the Texas National Guard will administer the vaccines.

“Not only do we want to offer our incoming freshmen and their families the chance to be vaccinated, but we also want to make sure anyone in our community who has not had the chance to get their shot can do so,” said Amber Black, assistant vice president of student enrollment, engagement and success. “We appreciate the help of the Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Texas National Guard for their work to help control the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Vaccines will not be required for students, faculty and staff before classes begin this summer or in the fall.

The one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered at each clinic. Visitor parking is available in front of the Jack B. Kelley Student Center.

Vaccine clinics will only be held between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Day 2 of each NSO — May 22; June 2, 5, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 25; July 6; and Aug. 12, 14 and 17. All but two clinics will be held in Legends Club inside the JBK Student Center; the June 23 and Aug. 17 clinics will be held inside the Hazel Kelley Wilson Room, also inside the JBK.

No reservations are required.

NSO events, which began April 30 for Summer and Fall 2021, are designed to introduce new Buffs to the University.

At the two-day events, new freshmen are placed in small groups with a student leader. They are given information on academics, campus resources, campus life, technology, traditions and more. Students also meet with an academic advisor and register for classes on Day 2.

“These events are vitally important for our incoming freshmen,” Black said. “By attending, they have the opportunity to have their questions answered before classes begin, which helps set them up for success as they start their degree programs.”

Upcoming NSOs include:

• May 21-22 for all colleges (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 22)
• June 1-2 for College of Education and Social Sciences, College of Engineering and Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 2)
• June 4-5 for College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business and Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 5)
• June 8-9 for College of Education and Social Sciences, College of Engineering and Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 9)
• June 10-11 for College of Education and Social Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 11)
• June 15-16 for College of Education and Social Sciences, College of Engineering and Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16)
• June 17-18 for College of Engineering, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 18)
• June 22-23 for College of Engineering, Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business and Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 23)
• June 24-25 for College of Education and Social Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 25)
• July 5-6 for all colleges (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 6)
• August 11-12 for College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business and Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 12)
• August 13-14 for College of Education and Social Sciences, College of Engineering and Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 14)
• August 16-17 for all colleges (vaccines available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17)

In compliance with Texas Gov. Abbott’s May 18 executive order, WT’s face covering mandate will be lifted at 11:59 p.m. May 21.

WT’s commitment to the people of the Top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle is a key component of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. With enrollment of more than 10,000, WT offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 40 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 15 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WTAMU—