Augusta University president Brooks Keel addressed the university’s COVID-19 protocols and potential changes to the university system’s budget in a virtual town hall meeting Jan. 18.
“We are not out of the COVID-19 woods,” Keel said. “We’ve seen breakthrough cases in those that are fully vaccinated and boosted, and getting vaccinated is still the best form of protection against COVID-19.”
The president said the omicron variant is more contagious than the original strain and the delta variant, but omicron is less virulent than delta. Keel said those who have the omicron variant show milder symptoms, especially those who are vaccinated.
Masks are required in all Augusta University clinical spaces, but mask-wearing and social distancing are strongly encouraged in all other university settings.
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COVID-19 testing is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.ml. Monday through Saturday at the Annex testing site on 15th Street.
Keel also detailed the progress of the legislative session going on now. The governor’s recommendations are good news for Augusta University, Keel said.
Gov. Brian Kemp submitted his budget recommendations to the House on Jan. 13, coinciding with his State of the State address. Keel said several of the governor’s recommendations “directly impact you,” speaking to the livestream audience.
Kemp suggested a $5,000 pay increase to all full-time state employees. He recommended a one-time bonus in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget and a permanent increase in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.
“This is really good news for our state employees who would see this money in their paycheck,” Keel said.
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The governor also recommended an increase to the university budget that would eliminate the Special Institutions Fee that all AU students are charged with.
Keel said additional money in the budget would be dispersed through the university’s campuses to help make up for the fee.
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Kemp recommended $8.7 million for “design and construction for AU’s central energy plant,” the heating and cooling plant on the Health Sciences campus. Keel said the money would go toward basic utility and facility costs of the plant.
The final recommendation is a third consecutive year of increasing funds for medical education at the Medical College of Georgia. Keel said AU has been in communication with the General Assembly on this long-term process.
“We are very, very grateful to the governor for this tremendous opportunity for Augusta University,” Keel said. “At this point, it is still just a recommendation, but we are optimistic and enthusiastic.”
Tyler Strong is the Business Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at tyler@theaugustapress.com
