LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky started mandatory COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated students on Aug. 16, now the university is implementing the same changes for unvaccinated faculty and staff. 

What You Need To Know

  • University of Kentucky unvaccinated students started mandatory testing August 16

  • UK will start mandatory testing for unvaccinated staff and faculty Sept. 1

  • Incentives are in place for fully vaccinated UK students; Staff and faculty incentives will be in place soon

  • UK plans to open three additional vaccination sites with the testing extension

For UK students it is the first week of classes and some students are dealing with a few changes in their scheduled plans for the school year.

It is nose burns and tears for UK freshman Austin Rountree.

“The feeling never changes, it is always the same,” said Rountree. He added, “I cannot really complain, it is just a little nose burn."

He is receiving his first COVID-19 test of many as part of a new policy for students, staff and faculty not fully vaccinated which requires weekly mandatory COVID-19 testing.

“I probably will end up getting my vaccine, that is just a hassle to go through every week,” said Rountree. 

That is exactly what university officials are aiming for with the new policy. Jay Blanton, a UK spokesperson says 74% account for the campus community partially or fully vaccinated. But he is trying to improve that number with one goal.

“Keep our communities healthy and safe as possible. Provide as rich and rewarding experience for our entire campus community as possible. So we will try to take common sense measures that we think incentivize that, promote that. And sometimes that is going to be some requirements,” said Blanton.

The first-generation student has another change to deal with this school year but he is thankful for university officials caring about the school community. 

“It is a little excessive but at least they are just trying to keep everyone safe. They are just trying to do what they have to do to make sure everyone’s not going to be sick, they are not transmitting it to everyone else,” said Rountree.

Rountree says when his dad calls him, he doesn't ask about classes as much as he does about whether or not his son has gotten a vaccine. 

“So he would encourage me to go get the vaccine,” said Rountree.

Mandatory testing for staff and faculty begins on Sept. 1. UK has already implemented incentives for fully vaccinated students including tuition scholarships, abroad scholarships, season passes to UK football and basketball home games. The university plans to release details about incentives for staff and faculty in the coming weeks. ​​

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