Vaccination is the most important tool to protect members of our community and to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines offer significant protection to individuals from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, from being hospitalized and from dying. Research also suggests that fully vaccinated individuals are much less likely to become infected or spread the virus to others.
According to Governor Inslee’s Proclamation for Institutions of Higher Education, only those campuses that are “fully vaccinated” are allowed to resume “normal” campus activities, including in-person instruction and research, shared residence hall spaces, communal dining, athletics, recreation, and performance activities ---all of which are fundamental to the holistic Jesuit education to which we are committed.
Seattle U is requiring all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an authorized vaccine unless the individual has an approved authorized exemption.
The university expects that most of our campus community will be fully vaccinated and that exceptions will be minimal.
A person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (e.g. Johnson (J & J)/Janssen).
Faculty and staff should wait to complete the COVID-19 vaccine registration until after they are fully vaccinated. Please note the University deadlines and schedule your vaccination appointments to ensure you are fully vaccinated by the deadline.
Vaccines that are authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
Faculty and staff can attest to their vaccination status by registering online at https://www.seattleu.edu/coronavirus/vaccination/.
Faculty and Staff (non-Law): September 6, 2021
Students (non-Law): September 3, 2021
Law Faculty, Staff and Students: August 9, 2021
The university is requiring faculty and staff to provide the type of vaccine and date of last dosage as that information is necessary to establish when an individual is considered “fully vaccinated.” In addition, this information is required for compliance with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries workplace requirements and the Governor’s Proclamation for Institutions of Higher Education.
No. You are not required to show your vaccination card at the University or submit it with our vaccination registration form. However, you will be asked to provide some of the information from the card when you complete your registration and you may be asked to show documentation of vaccination.
An individual who declares a medical exemption has consulted with a health care provider about the risks and benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and the provider has determined and certified in writing that a COVID-19 vaccination is not advised for the individual.
An individual who declares a religious exemption must understand the risks and benefits of not receiving and the COVID-19 vaccine. A person who declares a religious exemption must identity a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.
Yes, to both questions. SU faculty and staff who declare an exemption may be on site at a university location; however, these individuals are required to wear a face covering in accordance with the Seattle U Face Covering Policy; use the Safe Start Health Check daily; submit to COVID-19 surveillance testing beginning as early as September; and follow any enhanced workplace safety or public health recommendations for those who are not fully vaccinated.
In order for Seattle U to effectively monitor public health conditions on campus, individuals who are not fully vaccinated will need to complete the Safe Start Health Check one to two hours before they arrive each day that they come to campus. Fully vaccinated individuals are expected to complete the Safe Start Health Check any time that they experience symptoms or are exposed to someone infected with COVID-19.
Seattle U will use information from Safe Start Health Check to provide health guidance and quarantine information to anyone with symptoms or who may have had an exposure to COVID-19.
Surveillance testing refers to regular testing for individuals who are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Beginning as early as September, faculty and staff who are not fully vaccinated or who do not disclose their vaccination status may be required to submit to COVID-19 surveillance testing and/or other additional requirements aimed at keeping our community safe. Surveillance testing will not be required for faculty and staff who are fully vaccinated.
Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that reinfection with COVID-19 is possible, people are advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have already been sick with COVID-19. At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person, and the evidence suggests natural immunity may not last long in some people.
Seattle U will follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices about boosters. Scientific evidence suggests the duration of immunity conferred by COVID-19 vaccines is long. At this time, booster shots have not been recommended.
No. It is not appropriate to ask faculty, staff, or students about their vaccination status in the classroom or in the workplace, unless it is your role to enforce the face covering requirements in the workplace. An individual’s vaccination status is private. An individual may choose to voluntarily share that information with you if they wish but it should not be asked
The university is requiring all faculty and staff, as well as students, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If an individual is not vaccinated, they may be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing, complete the daily Safe Start Health Check, and follow other public health guidelines, including wearing a face covering indoors.
Being vaccinated is the best step you can take to protect yourself from COVID-19. Those who are not fully vaccinated or choose not to register their vaccine attestation may be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing and wear masks while indoors. Other recommended actions to keep you safe including staying home if you are feeling unwell, washing hands, and using hand sanitizer regularly.
Fully vaccinated individuals are welcome to continue to wear face coverings wherever and whenever they wish for any reason.
Yes. You must continue to stay home if you are sick, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if you test positive for COVID-19. Notify covid-19-report@seattleu.edu if you test positive for COVID-19 or have a close contact with an individual who tested positive. This requirement applies even if you are fully vaccinated.
Seattle U is committed to the responsible stewardship of the personal information collected. This information will be maintained securely, with access limited to individuals engaged in COVID-19 related health and safety functions for SU, all on a need-to-know basis. The information received in the COVID-19 vaccine registration is private. These records are maintained separately from other employment records, except when the records relate to non-compliance by faculty or staff; in that event, the record may be maintained in corrective action or disciplinary records. The university may use COVID-19 vaccination information in the following ways:
Yes, a small percentage of people are expected to get COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, since no vaccine can provide 100% protection. As more and more people get vaccinated, we can expect to see a small percent of these “breakthrough” cases happen.
The vaccines continue to serve their most important role: protecting from serious illness, hospitalization, and death—including in breakthrough cases. As of July 13th, 92% of people hospitalized from COVID-19 over the last 60 days were not fully vaccinated.
The university will utilize a range of methods to enforce the vaccination requirement, including:
Yes, Seattle U is requiring all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an authorized vaccine unless the individual has an approved authorized exemption.
Questions Regarding the requirement: Questions about the interpretation of the COVID-19 Vaccination requirement should be raised with the following offices:
No, but area leaders and/or supervisors will be notified of faculty and staff working in their areas who are required to wear a face covering while working indoors.
Individuals who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to wear a face covering indoors when on site at an SU location. This includes individuals who have declared an exemption and those who have not yet registered their vaccination status.
A face covering is required, regardless of vaccination status, in a health care setting, SU vans or shared vehicles, K-12 settings, and day camps where children are present or are expected to be present.
Non-vaccinated individuals are encouraged and may be required to wear a face covering when in outdoor crowded settings where there is decreased ability to consistently maintain a physical distance between others.
A face covering must be worn properly. A proper face covering must fit snugly against the sides of the face; completely cover the nose and mouth; be secured with ties, ear loops, elastic bands, or other equally effective method; include at least two layers of material; allow for breathing without restriction; be capable of being laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape (if made with fabric); be free of holes, tears, or valves that have the potential to release respiratory droplets. Disposable masks meeting these requirements are acceptable. See the CDC’s Guidance for Wearing Masks for more information.
Faculty or staff who cannot wear a mask for reasons related to a disability may request an accommodation through Human Resources.
Students who wish to request a disability-related accommodation may do so by contacting the Office of Disability Services.
Under the Seattle U Face Covering Policy and Washington State requirements, individuals who are not fully vaccinated will need to wear an approved face covering when exercising indoors.
Yes. You should continue to wear an approved face covering where required by the SU Face Covering Policy. According to the CDC, we do not know whether having had an infection can protect you from reinfection or provide immunity. Wearing a face covering will protect you and others from transmitting or acquiring an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Yes, but only until the deadline for vaccination registration (i.e., September 6 for Non-Law Faculty and Staff and August 9 for Law Faculty and Staff). From now until the vaccination registration deadline, three (3) feet of physical distancing should be maintained whenever possible. After the vaccination registration deadline, physical distancing will not be required at most SU locations, regardless of vaccination status, except for health care, K-12 settings, and camps.
Faculty, staff, and students who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to continue to maintain physical distance of at least three (3) feet from other people, particularly in crowded settings and in areas that are not well ventilated. Remember that your decisions impact the lives of our students, colleagues, and the broader community.
Faculty and staff who are not fully vaccinated and need support with distancing can talk with their supervisor for ideas on how they can maintain physical distance, particularly in crowded settings.
You will be notified by the University or your area leader if you supervise people who are required to wear a face covering at all times when indoors. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring University personnel under their supervision follow the face covering policy.
No. Host units and meeting/event organizers should remind all personnel/attendees about the requirement for individuals who are not fully vaccinated to wear a face covering, but do not need to verify their vaccination status. It is the responsibility of supervisors to ensure that the people they supervise are following the Face Covering Policy.
Members of the public, contractors, vendors, volunteers, and visitors are strongly encouraged, but not required, to be vaccinated. You do not need to verify the vaccination status of a member of the public, contractor, vendor, volunteer or visitor who is on site at a university location.
Members of the public, contractors, vendors, volunteers, and visitors are always required to follow the Seattle U Face Covering Policy when on campus, including any posted requirements in specific buildings or spaces. Host units should also inform them of the requirement for non-fully vaccinated people to wear a face covering indoors and to follow instructions on signs in and around university buildings.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring personnel who are not fully vaccinated wear a face covering indoors in accordance with the SU Face Covering Policy and Washington State regulations.
Students are required to follow the university’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and Face Covering Policy. Students who are suspected of not following a University policy may be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students.
Faculty and staff with concerns that others are not complying with these policies should speak with a supervisor, the leader of their academic unit, or report it to Human Resources.
No. All units are asked to align their policies and procedures with the University’s COVID-19 Face Covering Policy and COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. If a unit has a question about requiring face coverings in a given setting, contact covid-19-report@seattleu.edu.
Since your primary relationship to the University is as an employee you are expected to adhere to all requirements for faculty and staff. "Student" requirements for vaccination and testing will not be applicable or required.
Talk to your supervisors, area academic leader or Human Resources if you have a question or concerns about your specific work setting. Individuals may not be vaccinated for a variety of reasons. The university’s COVID-19 safety policies and protocols provide measures for all members of our community to be healthy and safe in the workplace, regardless of their vaccination status.
The university is committed to maintaining a respectful, productive, inclusive, and equitable campus environment. Harassment or other prohibited conduct directed toward an individual based on their vaccination decision will not be tolerated and may be subject to corrective or disciplinary action.
If you are fully vaccinated it is safe to resume normal activities both inside and outside. Data suggests that vaccines approved for emergency use by the FDA and the WHO are highly effective at protecting people against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have an asymptomatic infection or transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others.
Individuals who are immune-compromised or have certain underlying medical conditions should consult with their health care provider around any additional health and safety measures such as wearing a face covering and physical distancing even in situations where these are not required.
If you are returning to work and are not fully vaccinated, you must declare an approved exemption and may be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing, complete the daily Safe Start Health Check, and wear a mask while indoors and in some outdoor settings. By doing so, you will help to protect yourself and those around you from the spread of COVID-19. Individuals who are not vaccinated should consult with their health care provider to understand the health risks and benefits of not receiving the vaccine.
You are strongly encouraged to register your vaccination status even if you are not planning to be on campus. Registration is easy and takes about one minute to complete. If you are not vaccinated, you are encouraged to seek a medical, religious, or philosophical exemption through Human Resources. Faculty and staff who do not register their vaccination or complete the exemption process will not be permitted on campus.
If you do not need to be on campus, and do not wish to register your vaccination or complete the exemption process, please contact covid-19-report@seattleu.edu. You will be asked to complete a form attesting to the fact that you will not be coming to campus.
We recognize returning to the workplace may be a concern for some employees. The health and safety of our community is our top priority. In following guidance from the State of Washington Department of Health, the Department of Labor & Industries, and the Governor of the State of Washington, the university is implementing new protocols and safety practices to help keep our community safe as more people return to campus. Because the workplace will be different, to prepare for your return, please talk with your manager to understand any changes that are implemented in your specific building or work area. If afterwards you are still uncomfortable, talk with your manager and/or your academic unit leader or HR to understand your options. If you are sick, please stay home and use sick leave.
The following resources are provided by the employee assistance program at Seattle University to assist during this time of transition:
SU Wellbeing Resources Wellspring - SU Employee Assistance program
Students with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 are advised to email Public Safety at covid-19-report@seattleu.edu. Because such cases are protected health information, Public Safety does not share this information beyond needed disclosure for contact tracing purposes. Public Safety does strongly encourage students to inform their faculty immediately. Please find Public Safety's full protocol here.
Updated information on community members who have a confirmed case of COVID-19 can be found on our COVID-19 Confirmed Cases page.
Not necessarily. We are currently in the midst of cold and flu season. If someone who has a fever and cough, it is more likely they are sick with a virus we normally see during this time of the year. With the presence of COVID-19 in our county there is some risk that it could be coronavirus although this is less likely at this time. The testing for COVID-19 is limited right now and if there is no known risk of exposure and symptoms are not severe, an individual will not be tested. For these individuals we recommended “social distancing” until they have been fever free for 24 hours without medication and with coughing relatively controlled, meaning you can keep your cough to yourself.
“Social distancing” means reducing your interactions with others by avoiding congregate settings (such as class), avoiding local transportation and maintaining a distance of approximately 6 feet from others. For students who have family in the area and can get home without using public transportation, a good option would be to stay with family until meeting the above criteria.
Yes. SU’s COVID-19 Face Covering Policy states: “in order to help ensure the health and safety of the Seattle University campus community and the public, face coverings are required to be worn on campus at Seattle U. . .indoors when other people are present; this includes commons areas, such as classrooms. . . .” Thus, faculty are required to wear face coverings while teaching in classrooms and labs when students are present. SU’s policy is consistent with the State of Washington requirements on wearing face coverings.
The most up-to-date information concerning Seattle University’s monitoring of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found at seattleu.edu/coronavirus/. Seattle University will also continue to post updates via Facebook and Twitter.
Yes, please refer to President Peñalver's recent message "Preparing for Seattle University’s 2021–2022 Academic Year".
Effective August 5, 2021, per CDC guidance on domestic and international travel, Seattle University related travel is permitted for fully vaccinated individuals. Please review the full policy.
A full catalog of templates is available for you to print.
Following Thanksgiving, with few exceptions, undergraduate and graduate students will finish out the term virtually in order to minimize public health risks associated with traveling home and back to campus. The School of Law will share its plans in a separate communication with law students.
Office of the Dean of Students
(206) 296-6060
Housing and Residence Life
housing@seattleu.edu
(206) 296-6305
Student Financial Servicesfinancialservices@seattleu.edu
(206) 220-8020
Parent and Family Engagement
parents@seattleu.edu
(206) 296-6291
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Office of Graduate Admissions
admissions@seattleu.edu
(206) 220-8040
Human Resources
hr@seattleu.edu
(206) 296-5870
Office of Institutional Equity
oie@seattleu.edu
206-296-2824