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Information as of March 11, 2022
(unless otherwise noted)

Despite the ongoing pandemic, our highly vaccinated community, of which more than 90% are vaccinated systemwide, has greatly contributed to keeping our campuses safe. This, along with other prevention efforts, makes possible the in-person classes, events, and social interactions that make our community vibrant and exciting. If you are not yet vaccinated, take steps to Get the Vax today and receive a booster.

Though it is not currently required, we recommend that all students, staff, and faculty stay up-to-date on boosters, because they significantly increase your immunity against COVID-19 and can help keep your case mild if you experience a breakthrough case. You can find complete information on booster shots, when to receive them, and where to find an appointment from the Minnesota Department of Health.

NOTE: If you previously applied for a medical or religious exemption, no action is required, unless contacted by the University.


Students 

All University of Minnesota students enrolled in-person (including all undergraduate, graduate, professional, and Post Secondary Enrollment Option) must complete a Student COVID-19 Immunization Vaccination Form (above) if they have not done so already to lift the hold on academic records. The form, originally required early in Fall 2021, asks students to submit their vaccination information or submit documentation of a religious or medical exemption. Students can determine if there is a hold on their account at One Stop Student Services.

Students who do not complete the Vaccination Form or an exemption will be out of compliance with the University’s vaccination requirement and prohibited from registering for future classes.


If you have questions about the student vaccination requirement, please view the FAQ below.


Faculty, Staff, Graduate and Undergraduate Student Workers, Adjuncts, Professionals in Training, Residents, and Fellows

All University of Minnesota faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student workers, adjuncts, professionals in training, residents, and fellows must fill out a vaccination or exemption form (above). New employees must fill out the form prior to their first day of work.

Please note that this step is required even if you have previously completed the:

  • University’s vaccine attestation form for employees
  • University’s vaccination exemption form for students. If you are graduate or undergraduate, professionals in training, resident or fellow, who previously submitted a student religious or medical exemption, must also submit an employee exemption.

This is necessary due to changes in government regulations. We realize that this is an additional step given that you already provided some vaccination data, and we appreciate your attention to the requirement.

You do not need to upload proof of vaccination or exemption to the “Report a Vaccination or Exemption” form if you:

  • are a student learner through the Office of Graduate Medical Education and previously submitted proof of vaccination or a request for a medical or religious exemption.

The form requires you to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Alternatively, you may submit documentation requesting a religious or medical exemption.

Though not required, you may also upload proof of your booster information. See directions for how to do this on the Office of Human Resources website.

Providing proof of vaccination is required under the University's COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol Requirements for University Employees and Student Workers. It also is responsive to requests from across the University community for increased verification of our community’s high vaccination rates. For new employees, who will also need to submit proof of vaccination, this approach is also consistent with the University’s efforts to protect public health.

If those covered by this process do not complete the “Report a Vaccination or Exemption” form, they will be out of compliance with the University’s vaccination requirement and will face employment discipline. 

For more information about the process, please visit the Office of Human Resources website.

Questions about this process and expectations should be discussed with supervisors/managers or unit Human Resources leads. You can also call the Office of Human Resources Contact Center at 612-624-8647 (800-756-2362) or email [email protected]. Also see our FAQ below.


Get Your Vaccine

The Minnesota Department of Health has a vaccine connector to assist with getting signed up to get vaccinated.

It is also recommended to check with your primary health care provider or use the MDH Vaccine Locator map to find a vaccine appointment near you. Listed below are local vaccine sites you can also contact to make an appointment to get vaccinated.

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Where to get the Vaccine

The North Dakota Department of Health has opened access to the public to receive the COVID vaccine. If you are a North Dakota resident or if your healthcare provider is in North Dakota, you are eligible to get vaccinated in North Dakota. To assist you in finding a North Dakota location, log onto the North Dakota vaccine locator.

If you live outside Minnesota or North Dakota, you can use vaccines.gov to find the closest location near you.

Vaccine Info

Vaccine Info by Jakub Tolar, Dean of the UMN Medical School/VP for Clinical Affairs

Vaccine Info Sheets

Students (Not Employed by the University)

Q: How can I report my vaccine date(s)?
A: Students who have received a World Health Organization approved vaccine for COVID-19 can report the vaccine type and date online by going to MyU > "My Info" tab.

Q: Do online only students need to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
A: UMN Crookston has NO VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE STUDENTS (which includes COVID-19).

Q: Can I be exempt from receiving the COVID vaccine?
A: Students may complete a medical exemption or an exemption for a sincerely held religious belief by completing and uploading the documentation.

Completed forms need to be uploaded through MyU in the "My Info" tab.

Q: Who is exempt from getting the vaccine? How do I appeal exemption criteria?
A: The two exemptions are a medical exemption, which requires a doctor’s signature on a UMN form, or a sincerely held religious exemption, which requires a notarized signature by the student on a UMN form.  Notaries are available on-campus, of whom are: Renee Mulcahy and Donna Larson, in the Business Affairs Office.

Q: Is there an option for students who elect not to get the vaccine to test weekly?
A: There is not an option for students to elect to test weekly instead of getting vaccinated or completing documentation for an exemption.

Q: I am a student but am not employed by the University. Do I need to upload proof of vaccination?
A: No. However, all University of Minnesota students enrolled in-person (including all undergraduate, graduate, professional, and Post Secondary Enrollment Option who are not working for the University) must complete this Student COVID-19 Immunization Vaccination Form by going to MyU > "My Info" tab, to maintain their ability to register for future courses.

Q: Will students who have exemptions be required to submit to regular COVID-19 testing?
A: Students who are not employed by the University do not have specific testing requirements at this time, but are urged to follow the University’s MTest guidance.

Q: What will happen if I don’t comply with the vaccine requirements for students?
A: Students who fail to comply with the University’s vaccine requirements for students will receive a registration hold on their University record, preventing registration for future courses until the student complies with the requirement. To remove the registration hold, non-student workers must complete the general vaccination reporting process.

Q: Do Post-Secondary Education Option (PSEO) and part-time students who don’t work for the University need to be vaccinated?
A: Yes. All enrolled in-person students must be vaccinated or submit a medical or religious exemption. This includes PSEO students. 

Q: How do the University’s vaccination requirements affect international students who have been unable to be vaccinated or who received a different vaccine in their home country?
A: International students who received a full vaccination series of any of the vaccines authorized or approved by the World Health Organization are considered fully vaccinated.

For international students who have not been able to receive a vaccine in their home country, have not been able to complete a vaccination series in their home country, or have received a vaccine not authorized or approved by the World Health Organization, they may receive an FDA-approved vaccine in Minnesota. Alternatively, they may contact their campus health service to request a medical exemption. International students who require a vaccine can find multiple locations available across the state.

The University encourages any international student who might need help complying with the vaccination requirements to reach out Savala DeVoge.

Q: Do College in the High School (CIHS) students need the vaccine?
A: CIHS students will follow their high school policies and not have to abide by the University's Vax 2.0.

 

Faculty, Staff, Adjuncts, Fellows, Student Workers

Q: Why is the University requiring me to submit proof of vaccination or an exemption?
A: A Fall 2021 presidential executive order requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all federal contractors and subcontractors, including the University. Meeting these federal requirements is critical to protecting more than $500 million in federal contracts the University currently holds. Faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student workers, adjuncts, professionals in training, residents, and fellows are being included in this process to ensure compliance with the federal executive order. This process is responsive to calls from within the University community for stricter accountability for the University’s reportedly high vaccination rates and will also become the University’s policy for all new employees in support of public health goals.

  • The COVID-19 Immunization Form can be completed through MyU > "My Info" tab.
  • The medical exemption must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare professional. 
  • The religious exemption should be completed by you and notarized. 

Note: Completed exemption forms need to be uploaded through MyU in the "My Info" tab.

Q: I previously completed an attestation form for employees or a student vaccination form. Do I also have to submit the “Report a Vaccination or Exemption” form?
A: Yes. All faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student workers, adjuncts, professionals in training, residents, and fellows systemwide must fill out a vaccination or exemption form (coming early July 2022).

Q: Why weren’t these employee groups previously required to provide proof of vaccination or file a medical or religious exemption?
A: Guidance from the federal government has changed since the University first launched its employee attestation and student processes in late Summer 2021. In light of updated federal guidance, proof of vaccination or exemption is now necessary.

Q: I am a student worker who already met the student vaccine requirement for COVID-19 in Fall 2021. Do I need to take additional action now?
A: Yes. Undergraduate and graduate student workers must now take this step to prove vaccination or request a medical or religious exemption. Note that if you are a student who previously submitted a medical or religious exemption, you do not need to resubmit that information at this time. That exemption will apply to this new process.

Q: I am an undergraduate or graduate student worker who already submitted a medical or religious exemption to the Student COVID-19 Immunization Vaccination Form. Do I need to submit my exemption again to the “Report a Vaccination or Exemption” form?
A: No. You do not need to take further action unless you wish to change your status to vaccinated.

Q: Why don’t students who are not student workers have to submit proof of vaccination?
A: The primary purpose of these additional proof of vaccination requirements is to meet federal laws pertaining to employees. All students filling out the separate Student COVID-19 Immunization Vaccination Form were required to provide the dates of their vaccine doses or to submit a religious or medical exemption.

Q: What will happen if I don’t comply with the requirement?
A: Individuals who do not complete the process will be out of compliance with the University’s protocols, and will be subject to employment discipline. Discipline is expected to be consistent with employee group policies and contracts and similar to discipline outlined for the University’s previous vaccine requirements for employees. The final policy will be communicated once finalized.

Q: Do employees working remotely need to complete the “Report a Vaccination or Exemption” form?
A: Yes. The University’s response to COVID-19 continues to prioritize the health and well-being of all members of our community, no matter where they are. For these reasons, all employees, regardless of location, are included in this requirement.

Q: Am I required to get or provide proof of a booster shot?
A: Not at this time, but booster shots are recommended for many by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If guidance on boosters changes and becomes a requirement, you will receive further communication from the University.

Q: I am seeking an exemption, do I still need to test weekly?  
A: Yes. Those receiving exemptions are expected to test weekly, but at this time, do not need to submit test results to the University. View the University’s M Test requirements

Medical or Religious Exemption

Q: How do I file a medical or religious exemption?
A: Students and employees will submit their exemption form through the COVID-19 Immunization Vaccination Form. 

Note: Completed exemption forms need to be uploaded through MyU in the "My Info" tab.

Q: Will those who have exemptions be required to submit to regular COVID-19 testing?
A: Yes. Those receiving exemptions are expected to test weekly, but at this time, do not need to submit test results to the University. View the University’s M Test requirements

Proof of Vaccination

Q: Who is required to provide proof of vaccination?
A: Faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student workers, adjuncts, professionals in training, residents, and fellows systemwide are required to provide proof of vaccination or a religious or medical exemption. 

  • The COVID-19 Immunization Form can be completed through MyU > "My Info" tab.
  • The medical exemption must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare professional. 
  • The religious exemption should be completed by you and notarized. 

Completed exemption forms need to be uploaded through MyU in the "My Info" tab.

Please note: At this time, there is no requirement for visitors, guests and contractors to provide proof of vaccination. 

Q: What vaccines are acceptable to meet this requirement?
A: Acceptable COVID-19 Vaccines are those approved or authorized for use by the World Health Organization or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines meeting this definition currently include Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, Tozinameran), Moderna (Spikevax), Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford (Vaxzevria), Bharat Biotech/Covaxin, Novavax/Nuvaxovid, Serum Institute of India/Covishield, Serum Institute of India/Covovax, Sinopharm/Beijing (Covilo), and Sinovac/CoronaVac.

Q: How do I submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination?
A: New reporting instructions will be released early July 2022. For more information about the process, please visit the OHR website

Q: I don’t have access to the technology necessary to submit my proof of vaccination. Who can help me?
A: Talk to your supervisor, who can connect you with your unit HR staff. Unit HR staff will be able to assist you with completing the process.

Q: What constitutes proof of vaccination?
A: Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination include a COVID-19 vaccination card; an immunization record from a healthcare provider, pharmacy, public health, or state immunization site; medical records; or any official document that verifies the name of the vaccine, dates of vaccination, and the name of the vaccine provider. The Minnesota Department of Health has a variety of resources to help you locate your vaccination record if you cannot find it, including the Docket app that helps you track your vaccinations.

Q: Who will have access to the vaccine information I provide?
A: Your personally identifiable information is considered private information, but may be shared with University school officials and personnel who need to know the information to perform their jobs, including campus health and safety and legal and human resources personnel. It may also be shared outside the University with other individuals or entities authorized to have access under federal or state law, including representatives of the Minnesota Department of Health. In the event of a failure to complete the form, your supervisor will be notified.

Q: Can I ask my students/colleagues if they have been vaccinated?
A: No.

Updated