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LAFAYETTE — Students who plan to take winter intersession or spring semester courses at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will need to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
UL Lafayette announced vaccination guidelines Thursday in a message to the campus community.
“Vaccines are safe, effective and the most powerful tool we have to combat – and end – the pandemic. Getting vaccinated helps protect yourself, your friends, family, coworkers, and community. Individuals who receive the COVID-19 vaccine will help the University community thrive together and thrive in person,” the announcement said.
Registration for the Spring 2022 semester and Winter Intersession 2021 begins on Nov. 1.
The message continued: “Now is the time to make your vaccination plans to avoid challenges when registering for future classes. Failure to get vaccinated or to submit the appropriate documentation for an exemption will result in a hold on your Spring 2022 and Winter Intersession 2021 registration.”
The full announcement follows:
On Monday, Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16 and older, and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) granted the University of Louisiana System's request to add COVID-19 to the schedule of required immunizations for students enrolled at all System institutions, including UL Lafayette.
This requirement goes into effect for the Spring 2022 semester and Winter Intersession 2021.
Vaccines are safe, effective and the most powerful tool we have to combat – and end – the pandemic. Getting vaccinated helps protect yourself, your friends, family, coworkers, and community. Individuals who receive the COVID-19 vaccine will help the University community thrive together and thrive in person.
Registration for the Spring 2022 semester and Winter Intersession 2021 begins on Nov. 1. Now is the time to make your vaccination plans to avoid challenges when registering for future classes. Failure to get vaccinated or to submit the appropriate documentation for an exemption will result in a hold on your Spring 2022 and Winter Intersession 2021 registration.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Under current state law, the requirement is as follows:

Students must provide documentation of immunization against COVID-19 prior to the next registration period. Alternatively, students may provide one of the following: 1) documentation from a physician of medical contraindication for the vaccine, or 2) a written dissent for taking the vaccine.
Students have two options to comply with the vaccination requirement by Monday, Sept. 20:
Option 1: Begin the COVID-19 vaccination process by receiving at least one dose of a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization.
Option 2: Request an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
This requirement applies to all students regardless of whether they take classes on campus or online, except for dual enrollment students. Dual enrollment students are not required to submit proof of immunization but are strongly encouraged to do so.
The process for completing one's COVID-19 vaccination requirement is similar to the process used to complete the other immunization requirements on the schedule that all students followed upon initial enrollment, regardless of method of instruction. Instructions for students to meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirement are as follows.

Option 1: Guidelines for Students who Plan to be Vaccinated
By Monday, Sept. 20, all students (except dual enrollment students) must have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to avoid registration challenges for Spring 2022 and Winter Intersession 2021.
Your hold will be lifted after you complete your shot schedule (two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson). If you opt for the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, the University highly recommends that you receive your second dose on the recommended shot schedule; otherwise, your hold may not be lifted before your Spring 2022/Winter Intercession 2021 registration window.

How to upload your COVID-19 proof of immunization
If you received your vaccine in Louisiana: If you received all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Louisiana, you do not need to take any action. Proof of your vaccine will be automatically added to the Student Health Services’ Medicat Patient Portal.
If you received your vaccine outside of Louisiana: If you received any or all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine outside of LA, you must upload an image of your COVID-19 vaccination card to the Student Health Services Medicat Patient Portal.
Although the Pfizer vaccine is currently the only FDA-approved vaccine, any World Health Organization-approved vaccine, including the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, will also satisfy the requirement.  

Option 2: Guidelines for Students who Plan to Request an Exemption
All students (except dual enrollment students) who intend to request an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement based on medical or personal reasons must submit their documentation by Monday, Sept. 20.
Even if you opt to request an exemption now, you can still decide to receive the vaccine later and update your vaccination status with the University at that time.

How to request
an exemption
Complete the Request for Exemption from Immunizations form to request an exemption from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. If you request an exemption for medical reasons you must also upload the completed Vaccine Exemption Physician Certification. These forms serve as the required written statement and/or written consent. Upload the completed form to the Student Health Services Medicat Patient Portal.
Account Holds f​or Spring 2022 and Winter Intersession 2021 Registration

Students who do not follow the guidelines for vaccine requirement (Option 1) or exemption requirement (Option 2) described above will have an immunization hold placed on their University record and may be unable to register for classes for the Spring 2022 or Winter Intersession 2021 semesters.
Holds will automatically be removed after you complete your shot schedule (Option 1) and the Student Health Services Medicat database is updated or after you have submitted necessary documentation for an exemption (Option 2).
Student Health Services will verify all documentation, which may take longer if a large volume of documentation is submitted close to or after the deadline.  Learn more about immunization holds.

Free COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations Available on Campus

The University, in collaboration with the Louisiana National Guard and LDH, is offering free, walk-in vaccination and testing sites on campus.
The vaccination and testing site is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the former University Bookstore building at 210 E. St. Mary Blvd. The University clinic administers the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. No appointment is required to receive a vaccine. Appointments are required for COVID-19 tests. Schedule a testing appointment.

Vaccination
Incentives

Students who receive their first or second vaccine dose on campus qualify for a bank card as part of the state’s “Shot for $100” incentive program. Those who have received both doses can win prizes by entering the University’s “Don’t Wait. Vaccinate!” campaign. 

DELCAMBRE –A Mass of Christian Burial will be held celebrating the life of Mickey Paul Mayard, age 66, at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Fr. Buddy Breaux will be the celebrant for the service. Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Mausoleum.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home in Delcambre on Saturday from 8:00 am until 10:30 am.
Mickey was born on April 3, 1955 in Vermilion Parish to the late Ledron Paul “Red” “Chuckoo” and Emilda “Millie” Bourque Mayard. He passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Iberia Medical Center.
Mickey was an electrician in the oilfield. He was employed by Texaco for 15 years and numerous electrical companies in the area. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed working his cattle and horses and hunting and fishing.
He was affectionately known as “Pappy” and will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Linda Castille Mayard of New Iberia; his children, Johnathan E. Mayard and wife Heather of Delcambre; Dusti M. Robicheaux and husband Trey of Delcambre and Jeremy D. Castille and wife Deidra of New Iberia; ten grandchildren; Jade Mayard, Chloe Mayard, Jean Paul Mayard, Allie Mayard, Josie Mayard, Jacques Mayard, McKenzie Castille, Madison Castille, Gabrielle Robicheaux and Stephen Robicheaux; one brother, Chris Mayard and wife Christine of Erath and two sisters, Frankie Romero and husband Marcus of Erath and Patrice Harvey and husband Steve of Katy, TX.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one son, Grant Paul Mayard.
Pallbearers will be Johnathan Mayard, Jeremy D. Castille, Jade Mayard, McKenzie Castille, Marcus Romero and Freddie Aucoin.
Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen Robicheaux, Jean Paul Mayard, Jacques Mayard, Caleb Mayard, Trey Robicheaux, Glenn Earl Dore, Everett Curol, Wayne Castille and John Castille.
To view the on-line obituary, video tribute, and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.

According to Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Eddie Langlinais, in the early morning hours of Sept. 7, 2021, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call about a burglary in progress at a local gun shop on Woodlawn Road within Vermilion Parish.
As the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division was enroute, along with the assistance of the Maurice Police Department and Abbeville Police Department, a vehicle was observed traveling from the direction of the location of the reported burglary. While attempting to conduct a stop, the vehicle fled in an attempt to evade police.
The vehicle soon crashed where multiple suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office K9 was called to assist in tracking suspects. The driver was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident. All firearms matching the descriptions of what was taken from the gun shop totaling $20, 261.76 were recovered.
The driver, Dante’ DeShawne Citizen (B/M, DOB: 04/08/1999), was arrested and booked into the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center for Simple Burglary (2 counts), Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms (32 counts), Simple Criminal Damage to Property, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile. Bond set at $110,000.
Through further investigation by the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Offices Criminal Investigations, the following adult suspects were also arrested and booked into the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center:
Damien Damon Briggs (B/M, DOB: 02/06/1994), charged with Simple Burglary (2 counts), Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms (32 counts), Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Illegal Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon (32 counts), and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile. Bond set at $160,000.
Tawaski Tavon Lewis (B/M, DOB: 08/29/1989), charged with Simple Burglary, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms (32 counts), Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Illegal Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon (32 counts), and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile. Bond set at $138,000.
Travon Travel Citizen (B/M, DOB: 07/18/2003), charged with Simple Burglary (2 counts), Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearm (32 Counts), Simple Criminal Damage, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile. Bond set at $47,000.
Jeremy Cole Briggs (B/M, DOB: 07/10/1989), charged with Simple Burglary and Conspiracy to commit Simple Burglary. Bond set at $50,000.
An unnamed juvenile has also been arrested and charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearm (32 Counts) and Simple Criminal Damage to Property.
This investigation is still ongoing. Updates may follow as more information becomes available.
Sheriff Couvillon would like to commend the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Maurice Police Department, and the Abbeville Police Department, for their quick response resulting in the apprehension of all suspects involved.

Abbeville Police has already made multiple arrests in connection to the 2018 shooting death of Marlon Brown.
Wednesday morning, the department announced that it is looking for another suspect allegedly involved in the case. ​Jermaine Guidry of Abbeville is wanted for Principle to 2nd Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice. Guidry should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Guidry’s last known location was in Abbeville and may still be in the area.
If anyone has any information regarding Guidry’s location, they are encouraged to contact the Abbeville Police Department.
​On Feb. 7, 2018, at approximately 12:05 a.m., officers of the Abbeville Police Department responded to the area of Graceland Avenue and Hawthorne Street in reference to shots being fired in the area. The initial investigation determined that a male victim identified as Marlon Brown of Abbeville had been shot and killed near his residence on Hawthorne Street. The detective division of the Abbeville Police Department began the investigation, but unfortunately, was unable to secure adequate evidence in order to make an arrest in the case. Over time, the case failed to continue to produce new leads, and the case became a cold case.
​Based on new evidence, the Abbeville Police Department had recently made several arrests on suspects in this case. The Abbeville Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating another suspect in this case.
Last month, Abbeville Police arrested four people, Cody Guidry, Travis Cooper, Nikki Hebert and Tanesha Hills, in connection to Brown’s death.
​The Abbeville Police Department is asking that anyone who has any information regarding this case, or any other crime, to please contact the Abbeville Police Department by calling 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through the Tip411 system at the department’s Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/AbbevillePolice Department/, the official web page @ www.abbevillepd.com by clicking on the “Submit a Tip” link provided or through the official Abbeville Police Department app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.