Q: Who is allowed to ask about someone’s vaccination status, and what can be asked? For example, can lab directors or clinic directors ask for proof of vaccination (e.g., photo of vaccination card) from students and employees?
A: Faculty and supervisors are not authorized to inquire about a student’s or colleague’s vaccination status. This may only change if regulations are established that distinguish between those vaccinated and unvaccinated (face coverings in the workplace, for example), and guidance will be issued in this case.
Q: Who can share someone’s vaccine status, and with whom can they share it? For example, if an instructor, lab director, or fellow grad student/employee knows that a student or employee is unvaccinated, can this be shared with others in the class or lab?
A: Knowledge of any other person’s vaccination status should not be shared with others.
Q: Can lab directors refuse lab access to students/employees who do not have proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-test?
A: No. At this time the university is not requiring proof of vaccination or testing for entry into UO facilities; and departments/units, including labs, may not create their own procedures and policies.
Q. Do individuals have to upload proof of vaccination to comply with the vaccine mandate?
A: Yes. All students, faculty, officers of administration, classified employees, UO temporary employees, graduate employees, and student employees must complete the online COVID-19 vaccination requirement form and submit documentation.
Q. Beyond medical exemptions, what other exemptions are allowed for students and employees to not be vaccinated, and how are these conditions being evaluated?
A: UO will recognize both medical and non-medical exemptions to the vaccine requirement, consistent with state law. Note that as of August 23, 2021, the FDA has fully approved the Pfizer vaccine and as of January 31, 2022 the Moderna vaccine has been fully approved by the FDA.
Q. Our unit is planning orientation and onboarding activities for incoming graduate students. Can we ask about vaccination status of participants?
A: No, the vaccination requirement deadlines for students were intentionally set to support compliance, based primarily on the start of our two fall academic terms. Although departments may not establish different deadlines for fulfilling the requirement for their specific populations, they may encourage students to complete the requirement early.
Q: Does the vaccination requirement apply to individuals with courtesy appointments or contracted workers?
A: The university expects tenure-related faculty, career faculty, officers of administration, classified employees (SEIU, UOPA, Teamsters), UO and agency temporary employees, and volunteers to complete the employee vaccination requirement; those with courtesy appointments who regularly come to campus are also expected to complete the requirement. Graduate employees and student employees will complete the student vaccination requirement. Emeritus faculty, those with courtesy appointments who do not regularly come to campus, and other unpaid appointments are not subject to the vaccination requirement but should be sure to review the UO COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Regulation Notice. Detailed information regarding the expectations and action required can be found on the UO COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement- Employee Process webpage.