Why is Lafayette requiring students, faculty, and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
Updated Aug. 11, 2021
The vaccine is highly successful at suppressing transmission of the virus and at limiting the severity of health effects experienced by those who are infected. This requirement will ensure we can deliver a robust, in-person education this fall.
Which employees are impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine requirement?
Updated Aug. 11, 2021
It covers all employees of the College, full and part-time. In addition, employees who provide campus dining and custodial services and thereby interact closely and regularly with our students, faculty, and staff must be vaccinated.
By what date do I need to request a medical or religious exemption?
Updated Aug. 13, 2021
Exemption requests must be submitted via the reasonable accommodation request form by Sept. 1. Human Resources will contact employees about next steps.
Why is Lafayette now requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for faculty and staff after making it mandatory only for students in May?
Updated Aug. 11, 2021
With the change in CDC guidance and Northampton County having substantial rates of spread of COVID-19, the College has reevaluated its position on required vaccination for employees. It is now clear that to fulfill our mission as a residential college and provide appropriate support for students, all full- and part-time faculty and staff must be vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines have proven effective at reducing the most severe outcomes (hospitalizations and death) even taking into account new variants of COVID-19. Getting vaccinated does not prevent individuals from getting COVID-19 but does help prevent hospitalizations and deaths as well as helping to protect others.
When the decision was announced requiring all students to be vaccinated for the fall 2021 semester, Lafayette’s COVID-19 Action Group indicated it might revisit extending that requirement to all faculty and staff. The initially high rate of vaccination among Lafayette full-time employees, above 85%, coupled with the receding prevalence of COVID-19 in the region, allowed this flexibility.
Where can faculty and staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
Updated Aug. 13, 2021
It is available at no cost across the region. In addition, LVHN will hold a vaccination clinic for the campus community and general public (age 12 and older) in the Wilson Room of Pfenning Alumni Center on Aug. 24 from 3-6 p.m. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered. LVHN will return on Sept. 14 to provide the second dose. Learn more.
How will faculty and staff confirm their vaccination?
Updated Aug. 13, 2021
All employees must indicate their vaccination status by Aug. 30. The survey enables you to indicate where you are in the vaccination process and to upload your vaccination card.
Employees unable to upload their vaccination card can visit the Office of Human Resources from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. starting Tuesday. Please bring your vaccination card and Lafayette ID or another acceptable photo ID.
Dining and custodial contract employees will be contacted by supervisors about providing proof of vaccination.
Why is a COVID-19 vaccine being required when it is approved under emergency use authorization (EUA)?
Updated Aug. 11, 2021
A global pandemic is an emergency. Information about the rigor of testing and trials to receive EUA approval is available on the FDA website. Data collected thus far indicate COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Religious and medical exemptions are available for students, faculty, and staff.
Why do Lafayette faculty and staff who have had COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies have to be vaccinated?
Updated Aug. 11, 2021
Per the CDC, experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. Studies have shown that vaccination provides a strong boost in protection in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated, including for those who have been infected.
Are there additional requirements for faculty and staff approved for a medical or religious exemption?
Updated Aug. 13, 2021
Anyone who is unvaccinated must submit to weekly tests and, if applicable, quarantine and isolation protocols.
Weekly testing for employees who are not yet fully vaccinated and those applying for exemptions will begin Aug. 30. Details about the process will be shared the week of Aug. 23. Vaccinated employees will be exempt from weekly testing, but if they would like to arrange for testing throughout the semester, they may contact Bailey Health Center, which will write a script for a test at a local facility.
Prior to becoming fully vaccinated, what is the process for completing COVID-19 surveillance (weekly) testing?
Updated Aug. 13, 2021
Weekly testing for employees who are not yet fully vaccinated and those applying for exemptions will begin Aug. 30. Details about the process will be shared the week of Aug. 23. Vaccinated employees will be exempt from weekly testing, but if they would like to arrange for testing throughout the semester, they may contact Bailey Health Center, which will write a script for a test at a local facility.
What happens to faculty and staff who don’t comply with the COVID-19 vaccine requirement?
Updated Aug. 11, 2021
Anyone not fully vaccinated by Oct. 15 and who does not have an authorized religious or medical exemption will not be permitted to continue working and could jeopardize their continued employment with the College.
Will the College share the names of those who are vaccinated and those who are unvaccinated?
Updated Aug. 11, 2021
No. The vaccination status of any individual will not be shared with anyone beyond those administering the verification system.
Why are visitors not required to be vaccinated?
Updated Aug. 11, 2021
Visitors will be required to follow campus COVID-19 protocols. It would be impossible to keep track of all visitors on campus. Visitors, by definition, are on campus for a short period of time. Also, we are choosing to focus our energies and resources on the campus population we do know: our faculty, staff, and students.