Updated: Current Information on Covid-19 Requirements

To the CBU Community:

Together and by association, while looking out and caring for each other, our CBU community worked hard to make this past academic year a success, despite the considerable challenges and many hardships presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As we prepare for the 2021-22 academic year, it is now time for us to once again work together so that we can assure a return to a safe, vibrant, and engaged on-campus learning, working, and living experience this fall. 

This will be possible due to safe and effective vaccines, which have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and proven to significantly reduce COVID-19 transmission and the risk of serious illness when the disease is contracted. 

COVID vaccinations are now required for all persons who live, learn, and work on the Christian Brothers University campus. This requirement applies to all of the following, unless an exemption or reasonable accommodation is approved:

• Students living on campus
• Students attending classes on campus
• Student athletes
• Faculty teaching classes on campus
• Staff working on campus

Documentation must be provided by August 2, 2021. Requests for exemption must be made by July 12, 2021.

PROVIDING PROOF OF VACCINATION OR REQUESTING EXEMPTION
In order to comply with this requirement, a copy of the government-issued COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card must be submitted. This may be done via a photocopy, digital scan, or digital photo of the card. If vaccinations are administered at a private chain provider (such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart), there also may be digital records available via the provider’s website or mobile app. If you received your vaccine via your local/state health department and have misplaced your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, CDC recommends contacting your state health department’s immunization information system.

Persons seeking an exemption from this policy due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely-held religious belief, must submit documentation. For medical exemptions, a physician or advanced practice clinician must attest that the individual’s medical status contraindicates the individual’s vaccination. For religious waivers, individuals will provide information to identify the sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance that is the basis for the request for waiver, with the signature of and contact information for a religious leader on their professional letterhead. Each request for an exemption will be evaluated individually on a case-by-case basis. Accommodations will be granted when they do not cause undue hardship to the University or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

COMPLIANCE
Students not in compliance with this policy will not be allowed to live on campus, attend classes on campus, or participate in intercollegiate athletics. Employees not in compliance with this policy will not be allowed to return to campus and will be placed on unpaid leave until their employee status is determined by the Human Resources Department. 

GETTING YOUR VACCINE
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and everyone 12 years of age and older is now eligible. In general, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. However, you do not have to wait two weeks to submit your documentation; please do so as soon as possible after receiving your full vaccine dosage. 

There are several ways you can look for vaccination providers near you anywhere in the United States. Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call (800) 232-0233 to find locations near you in the U.S. More info is available at the CDC website. Locally, the City of Memphis is now operating public COVID-19 vaccination sites. No appointments are necessary. For locations, hours, and more information, visit covid19.memphistn.gov or call (901) 222-SHOT.

All CBU employees will be paid for time taken to receive vaccinations. For off-site vaccinations, employees should work with their manager or supervisor to schedule an appropriate time to comply with this policy.