Virginia State University issued the following announcement on Aug. 6
Do all faculty, staff and students have to be vaccinated from COVID-19?
Yes. Virginia State University requires all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as we begin the fall 2021 semester. The University will offer vaccinations on campus beginning Friday, August 6, 2021. Full (or first dose) vaccinations are required to reside on campus and/or attend face to face classes. Full compliance is required for all faculty, staff, and students who will be on campus and/or attending classes by September 20, 2021.
How will I show documentation of vaccination status?
Faculty and Staff can start uploading proof of their full vaccination (original authentic vaccination card) status August 11th via our secure medical document portal, Medicat. Proof of full vaccination (or first dose) must be provided no later than August 21, 2021. Visit the vsu.medicatconnect.com to upload images of the vaccination card you received when you were administered your dose(s). This process takes only a few minutes. Your username and password are the same as your VSU email log-in. The Records section will walk you through the process to upload each dose. Vaccinations will be available on campus beginning Friday, August 6.
Students can upload proof of their full vaccination (original authentic vaccination card) status immediately via our secure medical document portal, Medicat. Proof of full vaccination (or first dose) must be provided no later than Saturday, August 21, 2021. Visit the vsu.medicatconnect.com to upload images of the vaccination card you received when you were administered your dose(s). This process takes only a few minutes. Your username and password are the same as your VSU email log-in. The Records section will walk you through the process to upload each dose.
For international students, VSU is also accepting the vaccines listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO); select “Other” when you upload if your vaccine is WHO approved, but not listed. For additional assistance to upload your vaccination card, please visit https://vsu.medicatconnect.com/ or contact VSU Student Health at 804-524-5711.
What do I do if I lost my vaccination card?
You may use the Virginia Department of Health’s Self-Service Portal to access your Vaccination Record.
To access your COVID-19 vaccination record, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov and click “Check my COVID-19 vaccination record.” Search for your COVID-19 vaccine record at Vaccination Record Request Portal. Once you have accessed your record, it can be saved, printed, or downloaded as a PDF.
This website is managed by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and not VSU. Enter your name, date of birth, and ZIP code. If there is a match, the system will send a verification code to the phone number associated with your vaccination record, through either a text message or an automated voice call. This prevents other people from accessing your record. Once you enter the verification code, you can view, save, and print your vaccination record.
- Your vaccination record will onlyshow COVID-19 immunizations.
- If you received vaccines out of state or if a federal agency administered your vaccines, they will not show up in this self-serve portal.
- This portal is not a “vaccine passport” but serves as a way to prove you were vaccinated for COVID-19.
Can I be exempt for medical or religious reasons?
Medical and religious exemptions may be granted with submission of appropriate documentation no later than August 21, 2021.
Religious Exemption –
The Religious Exemption Form must be downloaded and notarized according to the Code of Virginia. Please submit form no later than Thursday, August 19, 2021 to: Students) SAO@VSU.edu
(Faculty/Staff) HR@VSU.edu
Medical Exemption –
You must have documentary proof on official letterhead from a healthcare provider or local health department that one or more immunizations may be detrimental to your health. Please send your documentation securely to the MediCat Portal (students) or to adarequests@vsu.edu(faculty and staff).
Do I need to be “fully” vaccinated in order to work, live, attend classes on campus?
Our desire is 100 percent compliance of a fully vaccinated campus. However, we do recognize that the timing of our decision may make it unlikely that everyone will be fully vaccinated prior to the start of the semester. Therefore, student proof of a “first dose” must be submitted by August 21, 2021 or upon move-in for on-campus housing. Proof of FULL vaccination (both doses) must be presented no later than September 20, 2021.
For faculty/staff, documentation must be submitted no later than August 21, 2021. Proof of FULL vaccination (both doses) must be presented no later than September 20, 2021.
What if I miss the deadline to submit proof of vaccination?
Students must complete an extension form to Student Health by Thursday August 19, 2021 to request approval to submit proof of vaccination after the deadline of August 21, 2021. To maintain a safe campus, students requesting an extension to submit proof of vaccination will undergo mandated COVID-19 testing two-times a week, and complete the daily symptom checker.
If I am exempt for medical or religious reasons, will I be permitted to take courses/work/live on campus?
Yes. You will be required to sign an assumption of risk form, participate in on-going two-times per week COVID-19 testing, and complete the daily symptom checker.
What is the deadline to show proof of full vaccination?
Proof of full vaccination is due no later than September 20, 2021.
What if I am returning early to campus or I am already on campus and I am not vaccinated?
Vaccinations will be offered on campus beginning Friday, August 6, 2021. You will need to provide proof of vaccination (see above info to upload documentation) or visit our vaccination clinic no later than, August 21, 2021 to receive your first dose of the vaccine.
What if I cannot get vaccinated before returning to campus?
A vaccination clinic will be offered on campus to receive your first or second shot. See above.
How do I find a vaccination clinic near my home now so I can get vaccinated?
Use this link https://www.vaccines.gov/ to find a place near you.
What if I am an International Student?
The mandatory vaccine applies to all VSU students, faculty and staff who will be face to face in fall 2021. Vaccination clinics will be offered on campus for first and second shots. Proof must be provided prior to the above stated deadlines.
If I am not vaccinated, will I be allowed to use on-campus facilities (library, dining hall, book store, etc.)?
VSU has a vaccination mandate. Use of all on-campus facilities is included. We offer online access to our library and bookstore.
If I am fully vaccinated, will I still be required to be tested?
Yes. Surveillance monthly testing will be conducted on all vaccinated faculty, staff, and students. In addition, all on-campus students are required to have COVID-19 entry tests upon move-in. Commuter students will be tested on August 10, 2021 and August 12, 2021. All commuter students will receive an email to reserve testing times for the aforementioned dates. All faculty and staff will be tested prior to the start of classes.
Is wearing a mask inside still a requirement?
VSU will continue to follow recent CDC guidance by requiring mandatory mask and face coverings inside all on-campus spaces regardless of vaccination status.
What happens if I do not comply with the vaccination mandate?
Students who fail to comply with the vaccination/testing mandate will be referred to judicial. This may lead to removal from on-campus housing and face-to-face courses. In addition, students will not be permitted to participate in on-campus extracurricular activities.
Faculty/staff who fail to comply with the vaccination mandate per the Governor's Executive Directive Number Eighteen (2021) and who do not meet the exemption requirements may be subject to disciplinary action.
Will I receive a financial incentive for compliance?
All validated students who are fully vaccinated and have provided proper proof of vaccination by September 20, 2021 will receive a $500 incentive.
All Faculty/Staff who are fully vaccinated and have provided proper proof of vaccination by September 20, 2021 will receive a $1000 incentive.
Original source can be found here.
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