Faculty and Staff Vaccination Policy 

August 20, 2021

Introduction

Chicago State University is committed to the health of our campus and our surrounding communities. Throughout the past year, our campus has fortunately maintained a low COVID-19 positivity rate. The shared commitment by our students, faculty, and staff has been tremendous. By implementing prudent health and safety practices, we aim to continue this trend into the 2021-22 Academic Year.

This policy is based on the recommendations provided by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and similar decisions made by other colleges and universities in Chicago and across the country.

We recognize that during this pandemic, new guidance and expectations from public health officials have changed quickly.  The policy and procedures reflected here will be updated accordingly.

This policy supplements University guidelines and protocols developed in accordance with the CDC and IDPH guidance and which have been enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the Chicago State University community.  Such protocols include but are not limited to: staying home if you test positive for COVID-19; quarantining if you are COVID-19 symptomatic; wearing masks (or other personally protective equipment if approved); physically (social) distancing; and frequent handwashing.  

Policy 

Requirement

Effective August 23, 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations are required at CSU for all faculty and staff (“employees”). All employees will be required to be vaccinated or demonstrate progress towards full vaccination, by receiving the first vaccine dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or the single vaccine dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine series no later than the first day of class on August 23, 2021. 

Vaccination Exemption/Accommodation

The University recognizes that some employees are unable to get vaccinated for different reasons. In the interest of the health and safety of our entire CSU community, COVID-19 vaccination exemptions are limited to specific medical conditions with physician documentation and religious exemptions. You may request an exemption with a completed Exemption / Accommodation Request Form.

Faculty and staff who obtain a COVID-19 vaccination exemption/accommodation will be required to:

• Participate in on-campus COVID-19 testing twice weekly;
• Provide daily symptom monitoring via Kuvrr;
• Quarantine in accordance with CDC and local guidelines if exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or return from international or domestic travel; and
• Wear a face mask when indoors on CSU property.

Non-Vaccinated Employees 

Employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to:

• Participate in on-campus COVID-19 testing twice weekly;
• Provide daily symptom monitoring via Kuvrr;
• Quarantine in accordance with CDC and local guidelines if exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or return from international or domestic travel; and
• Wear a face mask when indoors on CSU property.

Procedures

Disclosure/Verification

All faculty and staff are required to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. Specifically:

1. Employees must bring their vaccination cards or a verification from their doctor to the Office of Human Resources, located on the second floor of the Cook Administration Building, beginning the week of August 9, 2021.
2. HR will review the vaccination card and return it to the employee. The card will not be kept in the HR office, and no copies of the card will be made.
3. The employee will sign an attestation form personally verifying their vaccination status. A member of the HR team will sign the form verifying that they have reviewed the documentation.
4. The fully executed attestation will remain in HR, kept in accordance with other confidential, protected employee health information.

After 14 days of your final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, you will not be required to participate in on-campus weekly testing or other exemption requirements as noted below. However, the University reserves the right to require periodic surveillance testing. We strongly encourage all employees to submit their verification as soon as possible. 

Exemption / Accommodation Request

1. Interested employees obtain the Religious Exemption / Accommodation Request Form or the Medical Exemption / Accommodation Request Form from Cougar Connect / Employee Tab / Returning to Campus Channel, or by requesting the Form from the Office of Human Resources.
2. Employees will complete and submit the Form to the Office of Human Resources.
3. The Office of Human Resources will review the information provided and engage in interactive discussions, if applicable.
4. Based upon the available information, the Office of Human Resources will either approve or deny the request and communicate this to the employee.

Vaccination Resources

Free vaccinations are readily available at many locations, including through Cook County and the City of Chicago resources. Proof of vaccination from other licensed providers, such as your physician or retail pharmacies, will be accepted. Additionally, CSU is providing access to pop-up vaccination clinics to kick-off the semester. 

Dates and times for on-campus vaccination clinics will be provided to the University Community.

COVID-19 Testing Requirements

Faculty and staff who obtain a COVID-19 vaccination exemption will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing twice weekly. CSU holds continual, free COVID-19 testing on-campus.

Dates and times for on-campus vaccination clinics will be provided to the University Community.

Testing is non-invasive, using saliva samples and takes 10 minutes or less. Results are received within 24-48 hours.

Discipline

Any disciplinary action taken for failure to follow the vaccination requirements will be consistent with University policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.