On September 3, President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D., announced an urgent COVID-19 Vaccination Update to the Saint Xavier Community, requiring proof of full vaccination or participation in the university’s weekly testing program.
“All individuals who are not fully vaccinated must adhere to weekly testing protocols, beginning next week, in order to access campus facilities,” said Joyner in the email statement.
Joyner adds, “This also includes individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs.”
On August 26, Joyner notified community members of updated vaccine guidance, including a COVID-19 vaccination mandate that Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois issued during his August 26 press conference.
“The mandate states that all employees and students must provide proof of full vaccination or at least receive their first dose by September 5,” Joyner stated in her September 3 email.
Joyner continued: “This requirement covers all undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff and non-SXU contract employees participating in any on-campus class or activity.”
In a September 6 email, following the previous email, Joyner announced, “Governor Pritzker’s office has issued a two-week extension to the initial COVID-19 vaccine mandate,” adding, “The date for unvaccinated students and employees who work at or attend a college or university to receive the first dose of the vaccine is now September 19.”
For tracking purposes, Joyner states, “If you are fully vaccinated and have not submitted your proof of vaccination, please upload it to the confidential Health Center Patient Portal or drop off a copy at the SXU Health Center immediately.”
“As stated in the Governor’s order, an individual is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA,” Joyner said, adding, “or two weeks after receiving a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA.”
“In consideration of the health and safety of our community, SXU will proceed with mandatory weekly testing for individuals who are not fully vaccinated beginning Tuesday, September 7,” continued Joyner.
“COVID-19 testing will be provided for anyone who is unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated in the former bookstore space on the north side of the Shannon Center,” Joyner noted. “Tests must be completed at SXU’s designated testing site at the Shannon Center and verified by on-site personnel.”
“At this time, Saint Xavier will provide weekly tests free of charge,” Joyner mentioned in her September 3 email statement.
Joyner continued: “This is subject to change, and SXU will provide advance notice of any change in practice.”
Joyner urged community members, “It is critical that you monitor your SXU email frequently for further information.”
By the Governor’s order, SXU community members who have one dose of the vaccine must also adhere to on-campus weekly testing protocols.
“You will continue to be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing at the SXU testing site until your proof of vaccination has been submitted to the Health Center,” said Joyner on September 6.
She further states, “Once your proof of full vaccination is verified by the SXU Health Center, you will no longer be required to test weekly.”
“Those who need to test have been notified via email from the Health Center,” Joyner mentioned, suggesting, “If you need to schedule a testing appointment, you may use the COVID-19 Testing Sign-up form.”
In a September 3 email, Katy Thompson, the Dean of Students and Director of Residence of Life, echoed Joyner’s testing protocol mandate.
“The University will offer a testing plan on campus that you will be expected to participate in or face disciplinary consequences up to and including the possibility of termination of enrollment and housing eligibility for this semester.”
Thompson continued: “Please know that any student who falls out of compliance with required testing will not be permitted to attend classes, participate in activities including athletic practices or contests, or generally be on campus.”
Thompson noted that The Dean of Students Office will not send absence notices for students who miss class due to being non-compliant with testing protocols. Instead, these will be considered ‘unexcused absences.’
Thompson also reminded students of the class withdrawal deadline. “Please note that the final day to drop classes which are on the traditional 16-week schedule for the fall 2021 semester is Monday, September 6.”
Additionally, people who have documented a bonafide medical reason or a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance may request an exemption but ‘will not be automatically approved,’ Thompson said.
“Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis,” Joyner stated, “Each case must be supported by requested documentation. Exemptions are not guaranteed.”
Joyner continued: “Individuals applying for or granted an exemption must participate in weekly testing protocols, beginning next week, to continue to have access to campus facilities.”
All requests for exemptions should be filed on the day of or before September 15. The deadline remains unchanged after Joyner’s September 6 email announcement.
Effective September 7, all students will be required to carry their Cougar Card ‘at all times’ for access into every University building 24/7.
“Each student should tap for access, and students should not hold the door for others,” Thompson emphasized.
Additional guidance will be released as ‘circumstances dictate,’ Joyner said on September 3.
“We understand that individuals hold very personal and strong beliefs about the COVID-19 virus, associated mitigation strategies, the COVID-19 vaccine and the recent mandate by Governor Pritzker,” Thompson stated, adding, “However, as a higher education institution in the State of Illinois, we are legally required to comply with this order.”
Students, faculty and staff are asked to please reach out to their health care provider or schedule an appointment with the SXU Health Center on ZocDoc to begin the vaccination process or call 773-298-3712.
Individuals who do not adhere to the vaccination requirement nor participate in SXU’s weekly testing program will be ‘excluded from the premises’ until they comply with testing requirements.
If there are questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 protocols, community members are encouraged to contact the health center at healthinfo@sxu.edu.
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