2022 COVID-19 Field Plan
Our plan this summer is to run a field season that generally resembles our pre-pandemic programming:
Students and staff will be in the field for the entire six-seven week traverse of the Icefield.
Faculty will fly in and out every two weeks via helicopter to support a diverse curriculum and expose students to a wide range of academic inquiry.
In addition, we will be making modifications to manage the real risks of the ongoing pandemic:
We will require full vaccination for every single participant. This will include a booster shot.
We will adopt a conservative testing policy in line with the recommendations from the CDC, our medical advisers, UMaine and UAS, and our team.
We will mask as appropriate in line with recommendations from the CDC, our medical advisers, UMaine and UAS, and our team.
Depending on case loads closer to the start date of the program, we may require PCR tests for all participants before going into the field. In this case, we will facilitate testing in Juneau.
Deciding to do remote field work during the pandemic is a personal decision. We will be removed from definitive medical care for the duration of the summer. There is always access to helicopter evacuation, but it is limited to fairweather access in all but the most dire emergencies. We are doing everything in our power to minimize the risks of a COVID-19 infection in the field, but that risk will never be zero. You should carefully consider whether (a) you are willing to abide by the above rules, and (b) whether they adequately address you and your family's pandemic risk management. You should also carefully consider the JIRP COVID Cancellation Plan that covers our refund policy in the event that either you need to withdraw from the program because of covid, or we need to cancel the program because of covid.
Cancellation Policy
We have outlined our cancellation policy in our 2022 Tuition, Field Fees, and Cancellation Policy. Please read it carefully, and be in touch if you have any questions.