- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
For the safety and well-being of the entire university community, UC has proposed a COVID-19 vaccination policy. This policy will require, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. For the past several weeks, President Drake has been taking feedback from employees, consulting with chancellors, Academic Senate representatives, UC Health leaders and other university stakeholders on the draft policy. We expect to see a final policy along with systemwide implementation guidelines in the next few weeks.
- Although the policy is still being finalized, we are sharing the following in order to give everyone as much time as possible to comply and reach out with questions.
- The policy will allow for narrow medical exemptions consistent with CDC guidance and manufacturer labeling on contraindications and precautions. As with other policies, and, in the case of employees, as required by federal and California law, faculty, staff and students will also be eligible to request accommodations based on disability or religious belief.
- Those with approved exemptions or accommodations may return to their location with the expectation that they must remain masked in all public settings, and comply with any additional local safety requirements.
Employees who choose not to be vaccinated, and have no approved exemption, potentially put others at risk and may face disciplinary actions.
In support of this policy, individuals will be required to show proof of vaccination. Please take this short COVID-19 Vaccine Tracking Status Survey, by July 15, 2021. Information gathered in this survey will only be used by Human Resources and Risk Management officials for tracking, reporting, and determining workplace safety procedures as policy or law requires.
Thank you for your partnership in helping to keep our community healthy. Please feel free to contact Dave Ritz (daritz@ucanr.edu) with any questions you may have.
Glenda Humiston
Vice President