Message from the President: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement and Exemptions

Dear CWU community members:

As we prepare for the start of the 2021 fall quarter, Central Washington University has taken numerous steps to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the campus community. Foremost among these safety measures is a university-wide vaccination requirement for COVID-19.

Vaccines are the most effective way of preventing disease outbreaks and saving lives, and that is the primary reason CWU - along with most higher education institutions in the state - has issued the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students and employees who will be on the Ellensburg campus this fall.

In addition, the requirement complies with a governor's order (Proclamation 20-12.4) to promote the importance of becoming a fully vaccinated campus. CWU's goal of becoming fully vaccinated (70% immunization rate or higher) starts with the vaccination requirement, but it also requires everyone to do their part. The health and wellness of every member of the Wildcat community is our top priority, and together, we can reach our goal of becoming fully vaccinated.

If you haven't already received your COVID-19 vaccination, please use the Vaccine Locator tool to find a location near you.

To be in compliance with the university's vaccination requirement, students must provide documentation of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19; Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); and Meningococcal ACWY; or have an exemption on file. Students can submit their vaccination records through following directions on the Student Health Services website.

In the event a student is seeking an exemption to the vaccination requirement, allowed for medical, religious, and/or philosophical reasons, an exemption form must be completed and submitted through CWU's protocols. The form requires verification from your current health care provider for medical waiver requests. For those students who have an approved exemption on file, they may be subject to different campus protocols if an outbreak occurs.

If you have questions about exemption requests or how to submit vaccination records, please call Student Health Services at 509-963-1881. For more information, you may download the free Wildcat Care 365 app and set up an account for 24/7 telehealth services.

Thank you for doing your part to help CWU become a fully vaccinated campus this fall. We look forward to seeing all of you in-person on September 22!

Sincerely,

Jim Wohlpart
President