Sept. 23, 2022: Please note these FAQs are being updated. Some of the information may not be current.
Seattle U requires all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an authorized vaccine unless the individual has an approved authorized exemption. It is also the expectation of the university that all students, faculty and staff stay up to date with their COVID vaccination and receive recommended boosters when eligible.
CDC’s definition is:
Fully vaccinated means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine.
Up to date means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary series COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose when eligible.
Vaccines that have been approved or are authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). For a complete list go to CDC Approved or Authorized Vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines WHO EUL issued.
Faculty and staff can attest to their vaccination status by registering online at https://www.seattleu.edu/coronavirus/vaccination/.
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.
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, you can come to campus. There may be additional safety requirements you must fulfill as a condition of your exemption, for example, face coverings indoors or surveillance testing requirements. You are responsible for monitoring your SU email for additions or changes in requirements.
Yes. 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. Per the public health authorities, vaccine-induced immunity is more reliable and effective than natural immunity.
Yes, following public health guidance, all students, faculty, and staff are expected to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, and therefore to receive any authorized COVID-19 vaccine booster dose(s) when eligible to do so. Visit CDC for more information at COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots.
No. It is not appropriate to ask faculty, staff, or students about their vaccination status in the classroom or 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
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. This requirement applies even if you are fully vaccinated.
Seattle University 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, we saw more breakthrough infections with the Omicron variant which is why a booster with an mRNA vaccine has been strongly recommended when you are eligible. Staying up to date with vaccination and receiving recommended boosters when eligible decrease the risk of getting infected but also significantly decrease the chance of severe illness and hospitalization if you do end up with a breakthrough infection.
The university will utilize a range of methods to enforce the vaccination requirement, which may include:
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:
Update: Effective March 28 through April 8, face coverings are strongly encouraged indoors, regardless of vaccination status. After April 8, face coverings are encouraged indoors. Read more here.
As of March 21, 2022, face coverings/masks are optional on campus, including indoors, with a few exceptions. Masks will continue to be required in the Student Health Center, On-campus COVID testing sites, CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services), Athletic training room and Disability Services.
Please respect the choice of individuals who continue wearing a face covering. Let’s continue to be supportive of and compassionate to one another as we each navigate COVID and determine what is best or necessary for us individually. High-quality masks such as KN95s provide the best protection.
You can read SU’s full policy at Face Coverings.
Yes. The university continues to maintain a supply of high-quality face coverings for the campus community. Faculty, staff and student workers should order masks through their designated coordinator. In addition, face coverings are available at locations throughout campus, including the first floor of the Student Center and front desks of residence halls.
High-quality face coverings such as KN95s provide the best protection for both those who wear them and those with whom they come in contact. If KN95s are not available, ASTM 3s are a good alternative. Wearing a face covering properly is just as important as the quality of the mask itself. Here’s a video demonstrating the proper fit.
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 university's Face Covering Policy.
Contractors are required to assume responsibility for the vaccination verification and accommodations. Volunteers engaging in work while physically present on the university campus must be fully vaccinated or receive an approved exemption from the university. Vendors and visitors who are 12 years of age or older who will be attending on-campus events, large outdoor gatherings, or will be physically present in campus buildings for more than 15 minutes in a single day are required to complete the Safe Start Health Check for visitors before or immediately upon arrival to campus. The Safe Start Health Check will only indicate approval to be on campus for individuals who are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past 72 hours. Vendors and visitors may be required to show proof of their vaccination or recent negative test results while on campus.
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.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring personnel 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.
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:
Students, faculty and staff should notify Public Safety directly via covid-19-report@seattleu.edu.
Updated information on community members who have a confirmed case of COVID-19 can be found on our COVID-19 Confirmed Cases page.
Effective March 21, 2022, the Safe Start Health Start is no longer required for Seattle University community members or visitors who wish to visit campus. However, the health screening continues to be available as a tool for those who are symptomatic or exposed to someone testing positive for COVID-19 in determining whether to come to campus.
Screening results will be delivered immediately to your Seattle University e-mail account. Please make sure you have received an approval message prior to arriving on campus. If you are not approved to be on campus, you will receive additional guidance via e-mail and you may be asked to fill out an additional form.
Surveillance testing refers to regular testing for individuals who are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and have had no known exposure to COVID-19. This is one strategy for early identification and containment of COVID activity on campus.
Due to the COVID-19 Community Level of COVID -19 in King County currently being Low, there is currently no required surveillance testing but diagnostic testing is available and encouraged ASAP for those with symptoms and within the recommended time frame for those who were exposed.
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.
With our value of care for students, we ask that faculty implement what they believe is the most effective means of supporting the continued engagement and learning of students who are unable to be present in the classroom.
To assist faculty in supporting their students, the university has placed in each classroom video cameras with microphones and will make voice amplifiers available to faculty. These are intended to be tools to be used at the discretion of faculty to assist students who are absent from class due to COVID-related issues. In those fortunate contexts where all students are in attendance, these tools will not be needed. When students are absent, particularly for extended periods, faculty have a range of options, including full video recording of a class, audio recording of a class, or partial recording of a class. In cases where faculty opt not to record the class, other means for students to access the material and to engage with missed content should be clearly indicated and readily accessible through Canvas. For students who are isolating, inviting classmates to meet regularly with the student via Zoom and to share course content is one way to maintain ongoing connection and continuity in the class. We encourage faculty to consider these options as well.
To be clear, this classroom technology is not intended to support hyflex (simultaneously teaching to in person and online students) education. While this model may be viable in small seminar settings using technology, faculty are generally not expected to deliver in this complex modality.
Finally, as a reminder, students with disabilities may have approved individual accommodations for their classes. Faculty should contact Disability Services if they have questions about the accommodations.
If you have a health or medical condition requiring an accommodation, please contact Human Resources. If you test positive for COVID and need isolate, please discuss a temporary change in modality with your department chair. If significant numbers of students are unable to attend in-person such that the class as a whole may be better served via online delivery, please discuss this possibility with your dean.
Office of the Dean of Students
(206) 296-6060
Housing and Residence Life
housing@seattleu.edu
(206) 296-6305
Student Financial Services
financialservices@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