Important Information about the CSU's Vaccination Requirement.
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT'S UPDATE
To All Members of the Campus Community:
Today the California State University announced that all faculty, staff, and students who access campus facilities at any location will be required to certify that they have been immunized against COVID-19. In accordance with those guidelines, Sacramento State will require all faculty, staff, and students to certify that they have been immunized or that they qualify for a religious or medical exemption. Because certification of vaccination status is now a requirement, Sacramento State will allow additional time for people to get vaccinated. All faculty, staff, and students must certify that they have been immunized or that they qualify for a religious or medical exemption by Sept. 13.
The vaccination requirement is being implemented without further action from the FDA because of evolving circumstances, including the surge in cases of COVID-19 due to the highly infectious Delta variant. As of July 23, California experienced a 43% increase in cases in a single day, and hospitalizations have increased by nearly 95% in two weeks. We know that individuals who choose not to be vaccinated put themselves and others at risk of infection. We also know that the most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, is to be fully vaccinated. The overwhelming majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring among the unvaccinated. Sacramento State offers the Pfizer and the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines. To meet the Sept. 13 deadline for certification of vaccination status, you must receive your first dose of the Pfizer vaccine by Aug. 9, or the single-dose J&J vaccine by Aug. 30. For more information about the vaccine and to schedule your appointment, please visit our COVID-19 FAQ page.
The CSU's pending vaccination policy allows students and employees to seek medical and religious exemptions. To maintain consistency with the new CSU policy, Sacramento State students who plan to reside in North Village campus housing, student athletes, students who are members of any University organization or club, and those participating in clinical or other field placements or internships also may seek these exemptions. Individuals who are granted exemptions will be subject to other safety measures, including but not limited to regular testing and wearing face coverings indoors on campus. More information about testing will be forthcoming in the next week, along with more information about documenting medical and religious exemptions.
As noted in the announcement from the Chancellor's Office this morning, the vaccination requirement takes effect at the beginning of the fall semester; however, represented employees will not be subject to disciplinary action for noncompliance while the CSU is in the meet-and-confer process with its labor partners.
Since some students might not be fully vaccinated by the first day of the fall semester, we are asking faculty to be flexible with students who cannot attend the first two weeks of face-to-face instruction because they are not yet fully vaccinated. Options include holding class via Zoom, recording and sharing class meetings, establishing alternative assignments, and any other modifications faculty deem to be pedagogically appropriate so those students can succeed in the class.
As the situation evolves, we will continue to follow the guidance of local and state public health officials and the Chancellor's Office. For the most up-to-date information about policies and plans for the fall, please refer to Sacramento State's Return to Campus and COVID-19 Information website. This is yet another step toward our safe return together this fall. Stingers Up!
Robert S. Nelsen
President, Sacramento State
Follow @PrezNelsen on Twitter
Visit the President's Office Online
6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 278-6011 | www.csus.edu