Details regarding vaccination requirement for faculty and staff

Dear Colleagues,

As the College announced last week, faculty and staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 3, 2021, unless granted a medical or religious exemption. Any vaccine that is approved by either the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO) meets this requirement. Please read this message carefully and in its entirety as it contains important instructions and deadlines for submitting information to the College. This information will also be made available on the College’s Campus Planning 2021 website together with answers toFrequently Asked Questions.   

Employees are required to provide proof of vaccination status to Human Resources by Aug. 13, 2021, following the instructions below.  In accordance with the College’s Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants and Employees Policy, the College will provide reasonable accommodation for any known medical condition or sincerely held religious belief or practice that presents a conflict with the College’s vaccination requirement, provided the requested accommodation does not create an undue hardship on the College or pose a direct threat to the health and/or safety of others in the workplace, educational environment, residential environment, and/or to the requesting employee.  Instructions for applying for a medical or religious exemption from the College’s vaccination policy are set forth below. Employees who receive a medical or religious exemption are required to wear face masks, maintain physical distance, and follow any additional health and safety guidance required and communicated by the College. 

Instructions for Submitting Proof of Vaccination  

Employees are required to provide proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination by Aug. 13, 2021. To document your vaccination status, please complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Submission Form by this deadline and following these instructions: 

1. Log in to the COVID-19 Vaccination Submission Form using your Skidmore username and password. 
2. Select one of the options listed. 
3. If you are fully vaccinated, complete the additional information requested and upload digital proof of the COVID-19 vaccination.  You may upload a photo of your vaccination card or a screenshot of your Excelsior Pass. 
4. If you have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination and have an appointment for your second dose, please complete the information requested, including the date of the appointment for the second dose, and upload a photo of your vaccination card. Please note: Employees who select this option must complete this form a second time by Sept. 3, 2021, and upload a photo of their vaccination card or a screenshot of their Excelsior Pass to provide proof of full vaccination. 
5. If you intend to apply or have applied for an exemption from the vaccination requirement, please select that option. Instructions for applying for a medical or religious exemption are set forth below. 
6. If you intend to apply or have applied for a leave of absence until you are vaccinated, please select that option. Instructions for applying for a leave of absence are set forth below. 
7. When you have made your selection and submitted the requested information (as applicable), hit submit. Your response will be maintained confidentially by Human Resources. HR will review all submissions and validate employee responses. You may be contacted by HR if any clarification or additional information is needed in order to validate your response.   

Please note: Those employees who have already submitted proof of vaccination to Human Resources are respectfully requested to complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Submission Form.    

Instructions for Requesting a Medical or Religious Accommodation 

The College is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to any protected status. As such, the College is committed to complying with all laws protecting individuals with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs or practices. When requested, the College will provide reasonable accommodation, including exemption from the College’s vaccination requirement, provided the requested accommodation is reasonable and does not create an undue hardship for the College or pose a direct threat to the health and/or safety of others in the workplace, educational environment, residential environment, and/or to the requesting employee. 

To request a medical accommodation for the COVID-19 vaccine, please complete the Reasonable Accommodation Form for Disability or Medical Condition. 

To request a religious accommodation for the COVID-19 vaccine, please complete the Reasonable Accommodation Form for Religious Belief or Practice. 

These forms should be submitted either in person or by email to Human Resources at lgoodwin@skidmore.edu by Aug. 20, 2021, to allow time for review. You may be contacted if clarification or additional information is needed. You will receive a confirmation letter of the decision from Human Resources once your exemption request has been reviewed.  

Instructions for Requesting a Leave of Absence 

Non-union staff may request a leave of absence until they are vaccinated, but no later than Jan. 3, 2022, under the College’s Unpaid Leave Policy. To request a leave of absence to provide additional time to comply with the College’s vaccination policy, please contact your supervisor. Supervisors will work with Human Resources and the appropriate vice president to evaluate requests for leave. Employees will receive a confirmation letter of the decision from Human Resources once their request for leave has been reviewed. 

Faculty may request a leave of absence in accordance with Faculty Handbook provisions (Part I, IX, C). Leaves of absence are granted by the dean of the faculty/vice president for academic affairs upon recommendation of the department chair concerned. Employees will receive a confirmation letter of the decision from the Office of the Dean of Faculty once their request for leave has been reviewed.   

Requests for leaves of absences must be submitted by Aug. 20, 2021, to allow time for review. 

​We're (Still) in this Together 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, faculty, staff, and students have consistently demonstrated that our community is one that cares for each other and shares the responsibility for individual and community health and safety. The College asks you to get vaccinated as the next step in ensuring a safe working, learning, and living environment. Thank you for your attention to this important message. 

Sincerely,
Sarah

 

Sarah Delaney Vero, Esq.

Interim Human Resources Director

Assistant Director of Employment & Workforce Diversity