COVID-19 Update: Additional Vaccine Policy Information
July 21, 2021
Dear members of the SLU community,
I want to thank all of you who have either submitted your proof of vaccination or who have requested either a religious or medical exemption using our online portal.
Here are a few key reminders, based upon some frequently asked questions we have received since the online portal went live last week:
What if I am a student or employee who is studying or working fully remote?
If your work or studies never bring you to any of our St. Louis campuses, you are not required to abide by the University’s vaccination requirement. Those who come to campus for periodic work, classes or meetings are required to be vaccinated.
How do I request an exemption?
The instructions for requesting a religious or medical exemption from the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement are available in the portal. Please do not email your request and documentation; instead, follow the instructions in the portal.
What is a personal preference objector?
The option of selecting a “personal preference objection” in the portal is not an approved exemption option. We offer this designation to individuals who do not have a basis for requesting a religious or medical exemption but are still choosing to remain unvaccinated for other reasons.
Students, staff and faculty who make this self-designation need to know that it communicates their intention not to comply with University policy and their understanding that this will result in their removal from the University for at least the fall semester. It also could result in their ultimate separation from the University.
Will SLU allow for a grace period for requesting an exemption?
Yes.
- Religious exemption requests: Those who are requesting a religious exemption now have until 6 p.m. on Friday, July 23 to submit their request. No requests for a religious exemption will be reviewed after that date.
- Medical exemption requests: If you need extra time to see your licensed medical professional to receive a letter outlining your need for a medical exemption, please email pandemic@slu.edu and let us know the date of your appointment so we know when to expect your documentation. We will not process any additional medical exemption requests after 6 p.m. on Aug. 1.
What if I received my first dose of the vaccine, but won’t receive my second dose until after the deadline for submitting proof of vaccination?
Please enter the date you received your first dose of vaccine into the portal, and include the date you anticipate receiving the second dose. This will allow us to mark your record as partially compliant and know the date by which you should be fully compliant. After your second dose, you can then upload your final proof of vaccination. Please note that we expect you to get your first dose of vaccine as soon as possible.
How will incentives or awards for those who submit proof of vaccination work?
Anyone who submits their proof of vaccination by the Aug. 1 deadline is automatically
entered into a lottery for awards. We will identify winners every few days starting
Friday, so the sooner you submit your vaccination proof, the higher your odds are
of winning.
Some examples of these awards include:
- For students: Bonus Flex dollars, free textbooks, and free Bluetooth speakers.
- For faculty and staff: Free parking for a semester, a $500 bonus, and grocery store gift cards.
- For anyone: Season tickets to men’s basketball games, access to a private suite for one basketball game, a new iPhone 13, free subscriptions to different streaming systems, and SLU gear.
If you have a colleague or friend who doesn’t regularly check their email, please remind them that exemptions are due this week and that proof of vaccination is due Aug. 1.
We are working to develop additional frequently asked questions that we can post on SLU’s COVID-19 vaccination webpage. Please keep an eye out for that information in the coming days.
As always, please email pandemic@slu.edu or vaccineexemption@slu.edu with any questions.
Stay safe and be well,
Terri Rebmann, Ph.D., RN, CIC, FAPIC
Special Assistant to the President
Director, Institute for Biosecurity
Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
College for Public Health and Social Justice