Updated Vaccine and Masking Protocols

The University continues to closely monitor the public health and safety issues associated with COVID-19 and the impact it is having on our community. As we prepare to welcome students back for the fall semester and a return to normal campus activities, in consultation with the Senior Management Group and the Return to Campus Task Force, the University is implementing certain policy changes for the safety of our campus community.

Vaccination Mandate

The University will mandate that all employees be fully vaccinated by September 30, 2021.

As you know, there has been a significant increase in confirmed cases of the coronavirus delta variant across the country, including within New York State. Our campuses are located within counties that have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as having high community transmission rates. Vaccines play an important role in stopping the spread of the coronavirus in furtherance of the public health of our community. According to the available scientific information, the vaccines authorized for use in the United States are safe and highly effective Vaccines for COVID-19 | CDC.

On July 19, 2021, the University announced that all employees (full-time and part-time) are expected to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the start of the fall semester. Under this update to the policy, by Thursday, September 30, 2021, all employees are required to upload proof of full vaccination to COVID-19 to the St. John’s Health Portal (Medicat). The vaccines authorized for use in the United States are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen. Full vaccination status requires receiving two doses of Moderna or Pfizer, or, one dose of Johnson & Johnson, plus a two-week period after the last vaccination.

Please use the St. John’s Health Portal (Medicat) to upload your proof of COVID-19 vaccination. All those vaccinated outside of New York State (NYS) will need to submit a copy of your vaccination card. Those vaccinated in NYS should be in the system – follow the instructions in the link to check. If your vaccination record is not in the Medicat Portal please submit a copy of your vaccination card.

Any employee who fails to upload their vaccination record by September 30th may be placed on an unpaid leave of absence, effective October 1, 2021, subject to applicable collective bargaining agreements. Thereafter, if an employee continues to fail to upload their vaccination record, they may be subject to disciplinary action, up to andincluding termination.

If you have not yet been vaccinated, we encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Employees are entitled to up to four (4) hours of paid leave per vaccination injection. 

Employees who believe that they are eligible for a medical or religious exemption from the vaccine requirement must apply to the Office of Human Resources’ Employee Benefits Department no later than September 3, 2021. Employees who receive an exemption and do not get vaccinated are subject to additional safety restrictions, including weekly COVID testing. In addition, under New York City law, unvaccinated individuals are prohibited from using campus dining facilities and the fitness center, Taffner Field House, and other athletic facilities.

As we go through this period of ensuring that all employees andstudents are fully vaccinated, we believe that it is important to also revise our guidelines relative to indoor masks on campus. 

Mask Mandate

Effective Thursday, August 26, 2021, we will require all persons, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks inside campus buildings. Faculty, administrators, and staff working alone in their own offices are not required to wear masks. Fully vaccinated persons may choose to not wear masks outdoors. 

During the fall 2021 semester, the University will conduct random surveillance testing for COVID-19 of vaccinated employees. This process will be similar to what was done during the last academic year. 

We recognize that some members of the St. John’s community may be disappointed by these policy changes. However, we must make decisions to protect the health and safety of our community. At the end of September, we will review the mask requirements and determine whether or not they can be eased depending upon conditions on campus and in our surrounding communities.

Having our employees and students fully vaccinated will enable us to safely engage in more robust campus events, programs, and activities. We appreciate your cooperation in making these changes. We look forward with great anticipation to the arrival of our students for the fall 2021 semester.