Vaccination Requirement

CWU has made obtaining a vaccination an urgent priority because we believe a fully vaccinated community is the best way to protect our individual and collective health and safety. Additionally, it is only through widespread vaccinations that Central can begin to loosen or remove restrictions that have impacted social and mental well-being, and increase access to a more complete in-person campus living and learning experience for more students.

The requirement is effective immediately and the deadline to provide proof that an individual is fully vaccinated will be October 18, 2021. Individuals need to receive the second dose of a two-shot vaccine regimen or a single shot of the one-dose regimen no later than October 4, 2021.

In response to the emerging COVID-19 threat, Washington State Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency on February 29, 2020, using his broad emergency authority under RCW 43.06. Under RCW 43.06.220, the Governor’s paramount duty is to focus on the health and safety of our communities. Proclamation 21.14 answers his obligation.

No. There is no exception for those with COVID-19 antibodies; however, employee in this situation may qualify for a medical accommodation if it is not safe yet for them to receive the vaccine. To remain employed, you will be required to be vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination by October 18.

CWU follows all FERPA and HIPAA requirements regarding medical information for students and employees. Only those with a documented need to know will have access to health information, including medical information regarding vaccinations and ADA accommodations.

Employees may choose any of the three FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines, manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson. Employees should pay attention to dose timelines to ensure they are able to receive the last does of the selected vaccine regimen at least two weeks prior to the October 18, 2021 deadline.

The following types of proof are permitted:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Care or photo of the card;
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or electronic health record; or,
• State immunization information system record.

For employees, CWU Human Resources will visually, either in person or through virtual means, verify proof of vaccination. Instructions for employees to provide proof are available at cwu.edu/hr.

NOTE: Personal attestation is not an acceptable form of verification of COVID-19 vaccination.

Yes. The vaccination as a condition of employment requirement applies to all CWU employees regardless of location and/or work setting.

No. The vaccination as a condition of employment requirement applies to all CWU employees regardless of location and/or work setting. Even if an employee has no expectation of coming into the workplace on CWU property, the vaccination policy requires they be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021.

Information confirming an employee has been vaccinated is confidential and will be stored separately from the employee’s personnel file. HR will visually verify proof of vaccination, check the vaccination box in PeopleSoft (which is stored by employee but not part of the electronic personnel file) for that employee. A copy of the proof of vaccination will not be stored.

If an employee received one of the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson) in another state or country, they are in compliance with the proclamation.

All CWU employees must be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021, as a qualification for continued employment unless they have been granted an accommodation for religious or medical reasons. Employees who are granted an accommodation may be required to adhere to additional safety requirements. Absent an approved medical or religious accommodation, employees who do not meet the vaccination requirement will be separated from employment.

An employee may utilize applicable collective bargaining agreement, civil service rules, and/or CWU policy and procedure regarding separation from employment.

When an employee’s separation is the result of failure to comply with CWU requirement to become vaccinated, Employment Security Department (ESD) will examine several factors. These factors may include when the CWU adopted the requirement, whether the employee is otherwise eligible for benefits, the specific terms of the vaccination policy including allowable exemptions, and the reason why the employee did not comply with the vaccination requirement.

The following types of proof are permitted:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Care or photo of the card;
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or electronic health record; or,
• State immunization information system record.

Students can visit the Student Health Services website and follow the instructions to upload their information through the Med+Proctor system.

NOTE: Personal attestation is not an acceptable form of verification of COVID-19 vaccination.

No. Per President Wohlpart’s August 24 communication, vaccinations will be required of all members of the Central Washington University community — employees and students, including those who learn and work at our University Centers and Instructional Sites, and those who learn in virtual environments, even if totally online. CWU is committed and obligated to provide safe and healthy university environments for all of its employees, students, and visitors.

CWU has developed this policy based on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Washington State Department of Health, and the Kittitas County Public Health Department, as well as the Governor’s Proclamation 20-12.4 for Institutions of Higher Education (July 12, 2021). Student safety and well-being are CWU’s primary concern no matter where or how they engage in their courses, so they have every opportunity for success.

Only international students living outside the United States and high school students enrolled in CWU’s College in the High School program are exempt.

Yes. Per President Wohlpart’s August 24 communication, vaccinations will be required of all members of the Central Washington University community — employees and students, including those who learn and work at our University Centers and Instructional Sites and those who learn in virtual environments, even if totally online.

Only international students living outside the United States and high school students enrolled in CWU’s College in the High School program are exempt.

Under the CWU policy, all employees subject to the proclamation must show proof of vaccination by October 18, 2021. Employees may work with HR to request a reasonable accommodation for medical or religious reasons.

Current CWU policy provides for exemptions based on medical and religious reasons. Per President Wohlpart’s August 24 communication, philosophical exemptions will no longer be accepted. Additional exemptions may be considered as recommended by state health and legal authorities.

If a CWU employee cannot obtain a vaccine because of a disability and they cannot be reasonable accommodated to safely work, CWU may exclude the unvaccinated employee from the workplace. This does not necessarily mean the employee will be terminated.

CWU will determine if the employee is entitled to other accommodation, such as remote work. Accommodations are determined through an interactive process that involves the employee, the supervisor and appointing authority, and HR.

CWU will follow the standard procedure for addressing requests for medical accommodations. However, the documentation required for a vaccine accommodation will be narrowly tailored to determine if the employee has a medical condition which prevents them from received the vaccine.

A CWU employee or student who has a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated against COVID-19 may request an accommodation.

For employees, Human Resources will initiate an interactive accommodation process between the employee, supervisor, and appointing authority.

Employees are asked to complete the religious accommodation form, which will be available by September 10. HR will initiate an interactive accommodation process between the employee, supervisor, and appointing authority to ensure the employee and the workplace are as safe as possible.