New vaccine mandate for higher ed employees

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Employees will have until Oct. 18 to be fully vaccinated or submit an exemption for medical or religious reasons. The requirement is a condition of employment. Regardless, WSU employees MUST enter their declaration of vaccination or file for an exemption on  by Aug. 23. Those who asked for exemptions must either become fully vaccinated or file a medical or religious exemption by Oct. 18.

Note that employees are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, which means that they must be two weeks past their final dose of the vaccine. To meet this requirement, the Moderna vaccine regimen must be started by Sept. 6, the Pfizer regimen by Sept. 13, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine no later than Oct. 4.

Instructions for submitting a declaration or an exemption as a WSU employee:

1. �վ���������
2. Select “Requests” from the welcome page and then “Create Request”
3. In the “Request Type” window, type “COVID” and press “enter”
4. Select “COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Declaration” and click “OK”
5. Read the declaration statement and select the statement appropriate to you
6. Click “Submit”

The vaccination mandate for state employees does not apply to students. For student requirements, visit tricities.wsu.edu/covid-19/guidelines.

Indoor mask mandate

In addition to vaccine requirements,  a statewide mask mandate that will include vaccinated individuals in indoor settings.

Effective Monday, Aug. 23, all individuals over the age of 5 must wear a mask while in indoor settings that may be accessed by the public, including restaurants, grocery stores, malls and public-facing offices, regardless of vaccination status. The mandate also applies to schools (including colleges and universities).

There will be limited exceptions when masks aren’t required, such as office spaces not easily accessible to the public where individuals are vaccinated, and when working alone indoors or in a vehicle with no public face-to-face interaction.

For latest WSU COVID-19 information, visit:

WSU system COVID-19 website | 
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Changes to vaccination requirements and dates

Earlier today, it was announced on  and in an  that the deadline to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a request for exemption has been changed.

Students must provide proof that they have initiated or completed the vaccination process or must request an exemption by Sept. 10. Employees must also submit a vaccine declaration or request an exemption by Aug. 23. The change is in response to the ever-changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the spread of the Delta variant rising and with particularly high rates of spread in Benton and Franklin counties, taking steps now to mitigate the spread is prudent.

Processes for campus community members

Students must either submit proof of initiation or completion of a COVID-19 vaccination or request an exemption through the .

Employees are required to declare their vaccination status or request an exemption via . More information is available on .

Students, faculty and staff who work in healthcare or clinical settings in Washington state are subject to . These individuals are not permitted to request a personal/philosophical exemption.

Face coverings

Individuals who do not provide proof of vaccination must wear a face mask when inside a WSU facility. Fully vaccinated Cougs are also encouraged to wear a face mask while indoors when the status of those around them is unknown.

After FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccine, personal exemptions no longer an option

As also indicated in WSU Insider, after any of the three currently approved vaccines receive full FDA approval, personal exemptions will no longer be an option. Exemptions for religious and medical reasons, however, will be allowed. Students will have 45 days following the approval date to provide proof of vaccination (or initiation of the vaccination) or file for a medical or religious exemption. Upon FDA approval, the updated process for filing a new medical or religious exemption will be provided.

COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective

COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective at preventing severe disease, and breakthrough infections for COVID-19 vaccinated individuals remain uncommon. Local data indicates that more than 90% of new COVID-19 infections are among unvaccinated people. We encourage you to talk to your health care provider about your best options.

On-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics beginning Aug. 18

Every Wednesday through end of September
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mobile medical unit in the Floyd Building parking lot
Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber will offer $50 gift cards to first 50 people who get vaccinated

As we have all learned amid this pandemic, things are fluid. We continue to thank you for your patience and understanding. We have an incredible ���سԹ� Coug community.

Changes to vaccination requirements and dates

The deadline to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a request for exemption has been changed.

Students must provide proof that they have initiated or completed the vaccination process or must request an exemption by Sept. 10. Employees must submit a vaccine declaration or request an exemption by Aug. 23.

The changes are in response to the ever-changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the spread of the Delta variant rising and with particularly high rates of spread in Benton and Franklin counties, taking steps now to mitigate the spread is prudent.

Processes for campus community members

Students must either submit proof of initiation or completion of a COVID-19 vaccination or request an exemption through the .

Employees are required to declare their vaccination status or request an exemption via . More information is available on .

Students, faculty and staff who work in healthcare or clinical settings in Washington state are subject to . These individuals are not permitted to request a personal/philosophical exemption.

After FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccine, personal exemptions no longer an option

After any of the three currently approved vaccines receive full FDA approval, personal exemptions will no longer be an option. Exemptions for religious and medical reasons, however, will be allowed. Students will have 45 days following the approval date to provide proof of vaccination (or initiation of the vaccination) or file for a medical or religious exemption. Upon FDA approval, the updated process for filing a new medical or religious exemption will be provided.

COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective

COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective at preventing severe disease, and breakthrough infections for COVID-19 vaccinated individuals remain uncommon. Local data indicates that more than 90% of new COVID-19 infections are among unvaccinated people. We encourage you to talk to your health care provider about your best options.

On-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics beginning Aug. 18

Every Wednesday through end of September 2021
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mobile medical unit in CIC parking lot

The vaccine clinics are open to the public and do not require an appointment. There is no cost for the vaccine.

Washington State University is loosening its COVID-19 protocols in response to new state guidance, plummeting case numbers, and the widespread availability of vaccines.

Beginning today, students, employees and visitors to a university location no longer have to attest to their current health status. Additionally, the Risk Management Advisory Group no longer requires review of unit and departmental return-to-workplace plans. Committees and task forces dedicated to honing the university’s pandemic response are also concluding their work.

“Members of the WSU community are getting vaccinated and helping to drive down the rates of COVID-19 across our state,” Stacy Pearson, vice president for finance and administration and a leader in the university’s response to the pandemic said. “We feel confident taking these steps toward normalcy, with the acknowledgement that some precautions must still be observed.”

Among the continued precautions is the university’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement for the fall. More than 7.3 million doses of the vaccine have been given out across the state as of June 9.

Exemptions for students and employees will be permissible for medical and non-medical reasons. Employees can now declare themselves vaccinated via Workday, while WSU Pullman students can provide proof of vaccination or request a medical exemption through the  The university will detail the non-medical exemption process as well as the medical exemption process for all employees and non-WSU Pullman students in July.

Employees who declare themselves fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks and socially distance at a WSU location. Those who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks and distance while on a campus or worksite. Providing falsified information regarding vaccination status is grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination from employment.

Students, contractors, vendors and visitors must be prepared to show proof of vaccination when entering a WSU building, with those unable or unwilling to do so required to wear a mask and distance or leave university property.

As university faculty and staff prepare to return to work sites, WSU is asking all members of its community to stay home if they are sick.

“The pandemic has really put into focus how damaging a culture of working while sick can be,” Pearson said. “We must commit ourselves to accommodating those who are not feeling well, and individually, we need to understand that if we are not at our best, our work can wait, for the sake of those around us.”

Prior to enacting a return to workplace process, area leaders must designate a COVID coordinator responsible for monitoring  for operational updates. All employees are expected to follow the latest EH&S guidance. The Risk Management Advisory Group can still be consulted by departments, though its review is not required.

Departments looking to host events will still need to submit plans to the  if they include certain criteria:

• Overnight travel
• Primarily attendees or participants who are minors, including current WSU students
• More than 100 attendees are expected
• Food services will be provided
• At least 50% of expected attendees are not WSU students, staff or faculty

Employees are no longer required to complete return to workplace training. Rather, they can visit  for a complete account of current guidance. The process of  is expected to begin no later than July 12.

WSU expects to review further guidance on classroom distancing from state higher education officials later this summer. The vast majority of classes across the WSU system are scheduled to take place in-person this coming fall.

WSU employees, students and visitors who provide proof of full vaccination will be allowed to forgo face masks and social distancing on all University locations.

The new policy, effective Thursday, follows the latest guidance from Gov. Jay Inslee, the Department of Labor and Industries and the .

The complete guidance is available on the university’s .

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series. To find a nearby location where vaccines are available, visit the state’s .

Employees will still have to declare their health status through the  prior to visiting a WSU worksite or campus, though the policy will be re-evaluated in the weeks ahead.

Information about the process for employees to declare their vaccination status, including , is available. Those who work in certain WSU departments or business units, such as childcare and health care services, must continue to wear facial coverings and distance, regardless of vaccination status.

Providing falsified information regarding vaccination status is grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination from employment.

Employees who decline to provide proof of vaccination will still be required to wear a face covering and maintain appropriate social distance from others at a WSU location. Those not wearing masks may still have to provide proof of vaccination prior to entering WSU facilities such as the Student Recreation Center, dining facilities and libraries.

There are several forms of valid proof:

• A CDC vaccination card (which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered)
• A photo of a CDC vaccination card as a separate document or a photo of the attendee’s vaccine card stored on a phone or electronic device
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or state immunization information system record
• A hard copy or electronically signed self-attestation from the employee

Students

In-classroom instructors as well as area leads are allowed to verify the vaccination status of unmasked students entering their area or facility. Only supervisors, area leads, in-classroom instructors, or their designees are responsible for oversight of WSU facilities and may verify vaccination status. Students not wearing a mask may also have to provide proof of vaccination prior to entering the Student Recreation Center, dining halls and other university facilities.

Several forms of verification are acceptable:

• A CDC vaccination card (which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered)
• A photo of a CDC vaccination card as a separate document or a photo of the attendee’s vaccine card stored on a phone or electronic device
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or state immunization information system record

Students whose vaccination status is unverified will be required to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing.

Students who provide false or misleading information regarding their vaccination status will be referred for action under the standards of conduct for students. Anyone who is not an in-classroom faculty member or area lead who is concerned about someone not wearing a mask or social distancing is asked to contact a supervisor.

Contractors, vendors and visitors

Area leads or their designees are also permitted to verify the vaccination status of contractors, vendors or visitors entering a WSU facility.

Vendors, visitors and contractors must provide valid verification as listed above or don a face mask and maintain appropriate social distancing. Providing false information is grounds for removal from WSU. Only supervisors and area leads or their designees responsible for oversight of WSU facilities may verify vaccination status.

No WSU employee, including supervisors, are permitted to ask for reasons why a student, employee or visitor is or is not vaccinated.

More information on the  is available on its website.

Washington State University, as the state’s land-grant university, has an obligation to serve the public good and promote the health and safety of the communities it serves. The COVID‑19 vaccine, now widely available, has been shown to nearly eliminate the chances of death or serious illness related to a COVID‑19 infection, and is a critical element in protecting public health locally and worldwide.

Vaccine requirements for students

WSU system-wide will require proof of the COVID‑19 vaccination for the 2021–2022 academic year for all students engaging in activities at a WSU campus or location.

Exemptions will be allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Information about how to submit proof of vaccination and the process to request an exemption will be provided in the coming months.

Students whose programs are fully online and/or for which an on‑campus/location presence does not occur are automatically exempted from this requirement.

In order to participate in any on‑site or in‑person courses and activities, students at all WSU locations will be expected to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester. Some programs may designate an earlier date for proof of vaccination or an exemption based on when fall semester in‑person activities begin.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, ���سԹ� students will be required to have documented proof of vaccine or an approved exemption. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be prevented from registering for spring semester courses and/or face other restrictions. Students with approved exemptions may be required to participate in regular COVID‑19 testing and/or other COVID‑19 public health measures.

Vaccine requirements for employees

WSU system-wide intends to extend the requirement to all employees and volunteers engaging in activities on a WSU worksite. Exemptions will be allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Any employees and volunteers who receive exemptions may be subject to COVID‑19 testing and/or other COVID‑19 public health measures. More information, including how to submit proof of vaccination or an exemption, will be provided in the coming months.

Acceptable vaccines

WSU will accept proof of any vaccine that was authorized for use in the United States at the time of administration. For vaccinations requiring two doses, students and employees must have received both doses of the vaccine to meet the requirement. Proof of vaccination will also be required for anyone with a prior diagnosis of COVID‑19. WSU will work with any international students and employees who may have received a vaccine that is not approved for use in the United States.

The University reserves the right to modify this policy at any time in accordance with changing public health guidance or directives, best practices, and/or university needs.

Additional information about the requirement process will be made available this summer. For employee-related questions, please contact Human Resources Services at hrs@wsu.edu or 509‑335‑4521. For student-related questions and all other inquiries, please email ���DZ�����‑19.���Դڴǰ��ɲ���.����.

By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri-Cities is partnering with Rite Aid to host a public COVID-19 vaccination clinic on April 7 on campus. Second doses will be administered as part of a second campus clinic on April 28.

The clinic will be hosted from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. in the ���سԹ� Consolidated Information Center (CIC) during both days. Sign-up for an appointment at . Read more about the  to see if you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition to registering for an appointment online, individuals should plan to bring their medical and pharmacy insurance cards, a valid ID, as well as their completed consent form.

At the on-campus clinic, individuals will be guided into a socially-distanced waiting area before receiving the vaccine. Following the administering of their vaccine, they will be guided into a socially-distanced and monitored recovery area for 15 minutes to ensure there are no reactions to the vaccine. Face masks and social distancing will be required at all times.

“We are excited to host a COVID-19 vaccination site on the ���سԹ� campus,” ���سԹ� Chancellor Sandra Haynes said. “The vaccine is helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our own Tri-Cities community. The pandemic has caused so many hardships for so many families. This is a great step in providing greater access to the vaccine, for those who are eligible, and getting us closer to normal as we used to know it.”

Douglas Fruit has donated 1,200 apples that will be distributed as part of the April 7 clinic. Everyone who receives their vaccine that day will receive a free apple.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the .

 

Media contact:

Maegan Murray, ���سԹ� director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617 (cell), maegan_murray@wsu.edu