Aug. 25, 2020

FLORENCE, AL - As the first full week of in-person and online courses take place at the University of North Alabama campus, Congressman Robert Aderholt and Congressman Mo Brooks weighed in on the efforts that went into the return-to-campus plan and its execution for UNA students, faculty, and staff.

"I applaud the efforts being taken by the University of North Alabama and other universities and colleges in our state to begin fall classes and to do it safely," said Congressman Aderholt. "The threat from COVID-19 is real, but we have to mitigate the risks as much as possible and find a way to go about the business of educating students in the best possible way. The state of Alabama is setting an example of how widespread testing, technology, and mitigation measures can allow college students to go back safely. It doesn't remove all risk, but it does say that as a state, we are willing to think outside the box to make sure college students can have in-person classes, where the best learning takes place."

Congressman Aderholt was on the UNA campus in early August as the commencement speaker for the Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 graduates for a total of four ceremonies.

"I congratulate UNA students, faculty, and staff on returning to campus in these challenging times," said Congressman Brooks. "We have six vaccines in stage three trials. I am optimistic at least one will be available in mass quantities in a short four or five months. Please, in the meantime, everyone do your part to minimize COVID-19 infection risks."

The COVID-19 Recovery Task Force has been charged with outlining and implementing the current return-to-campus plan. Since its creation, the task force as well as the plan have been modified frequently in order to remain relevant and timely.

"Returning to the UNA campus has been a process," said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. "We appreciate our congressional leaders for acknowledging the hard work and effort that went into the first day of classes as well as the weeks that lie ahead. It is critical that we continue to wear cloth face coverings, maintain physical distance from others, and practice good hand hygiene. Student interest in on-campus learning at UNA remains very high, and this is the process we must follow in order to resume a normal schedule."

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/