Effective Nov. 1, 2021, Saint Mary’s University has modified its COVID proof of vaccine or exemption requirement to excuse students enrolled in fully online programs. Students enrolled in courses currently delivered in an online or blended format because of COVID protocols are still required to comply with the vaccine requirement. This means submitting either proof of vaccination or documentation for an exemption (medical or non-medical).
Additionally, consequences for non-compliance are also changing. If you have not supplied your appropriate documentation, a “hold” is being placed on course and housing registration. Fines and transcript holds will no longer be issued, and any COVID fine or transcript hold previously issued has been removed from student accounts.
The original requirement applied to all students and employees to expedite implementation after the FDA granted approval of the vaccine. Coordinating compliance has prompted the changes described above. Further, with additional time, we were able to modify our system to separately track students in fully online programs.
The rate of vaccinations among students and employees on our campuses is an important factor in determining the appropriate protocols and our ability to offer programming “in-person.”
We apologize for the inconvenience and confusion resulting from these changes. As with the many changes required by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were working with the best interests of the university under a compressed schedule.
Questions regarding the above changes should be directed to covid@smumn.edu.
Sincerely,
Ann Merchlewitz, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Ben Murray, Executive Vice President and CFO
Brian Schmisek, Provost and Dean of Faculties
