Original Date: 12/21/2021 * Last Revision Effective: 03/15/23
Policy Contact: Vice President of Administrative Services
Purpose
This policy establishes COVID-19 vaccination requirements. This policy is intended to protect the health and safety of the public and the campus community and was developed in accordance with federal, state and local guidance. This policy will be reviewed at least annually, no later than January 31st of each year, to assess impacts and alignment with current federal, state and local guidance.
Policy
The college requires faculty, staff, and volunteers (defined below) to either:
- Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 using an authorized vaccine (defined below) OR
- To ask and be approved for an authorized exemption (defined below).
Verification and Documentation
All faculty, staff, and volunteers must complete a Vaccination Attestation form and provide documentation as indicated within the form. In the event Human Resources requests additional documentation or information needed to resolve missing, unclear, inconsistent, or incongruent information submitted initially with the Vaccination Attestation form, such subsequent information must also be provided to be in compliance with this policy.
Exemptions approved due to a temporary condition or circumstance will be reviewed and reevaluated based on the stated timeframe noted in the original approval.
Authorized Exemptions
Faculty, staff, and volunteers are exempt from the vaccination requirement if they ask for and are approved, and a reasonable accommodation is granted, as appropriate, for at least one of the following authorized exemptions:
- Medical Exemption
- Requires documentation from a healthcare provider who determines that a medical reason or condition exists for which the vaccination should not be given for health and safety reasons.
- Religious Exemption
- Requires that there be a conflict between receiving the vaccine and sincerely held religious beliefs or practices.
Responsibilities
Human Resources
- Manages the tracking, collection of documentation, exemptions, verification, reasonable accommodations, confidentiality, and enforcement of this policy and the related procedures for all faculty, staff, student employees, and volunteers.
Definitions
Authorized Vaccines
- Include COVID-19 vaccines approved by the federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA), including those approved under Emergency Use Authorization and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Fully Vaccinated
- A person is fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving:
- The second dose in a two-dose series OR
- A single-dose vaccine.
- Being fully vaccinated may include a COVID-19 booster if deemed necessary as set forth by the state, or if the college determines that federal, state, and local requirements or recommendations are needed to help keep the campus community safe from COVID-19.
Volunteer
- An uncompensated person who is scheduled to come to campus to perform work related tasks or work connected to a college project but receives no pay or stipend.
Relevant Laws and Other Resources
- Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L & I) Workplace Health and Safety Rules
- Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccine Approval
- World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine Approval
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Washington State Department of Health: Building Confidence and Busting Myths
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 Vaccines are Safe and Effective
Revision History
Original: 12/21/2021 (temporary approval); 06/15/22; 03/15/23
Approved By
Board of Trustees
Last Updated March 23, 2023