On August 26, President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D., announced an updated vaccine guidance, requiring all Saint Xavier community members to be fully vaccinated.
This decision comes as Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois held a press conference on August 26 and announced a state mandate. “All educators, including those in higher education, along with higher education students, are to become vaccinated.”
“While we await details anticipated in the final order, we are reaching out at this time to inform you that it is apparent all Saint Xavier University students and employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Joyner in her email statement.
Joyner continued: “It is our understanding that students and employees will be required to receive their first dose by September 5, 2021, and their second dose within 30 days of the first.”
On July 22, before this announcement from the Governor, “SXU strongly encourages vaccination for students, faculty, staff and visitors given its proven effectiveness in mitigating the spread of coronavirus.”
By August 26, Joyner stated, “According to the Governor’s press release, higher education personnel and students who do not provide proof of vaccination by the deadline are likely to experience disruption to their employment or educational progress.”
As of August 26, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) officials reported “4,942 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 14 related deaths.”
The number of cases reported on August 26 was the largest one-day increase since Jan. 23, when 5,152 were reported. The statewide seven-day positivity rate remains at 5.7%, from August 20-26.
Joyner noted in the email, “We continue to monitor details of the Governor’s order, including attention to medical and religious exemptions and testing, as they become available.”
Joyner added that “The Health Center is available to answer any questions you may have,” suggesting, “I also invite you to contact your primary health provider to discuss concerns regarding vaccination.”
An SXU Faculty member, whose name and identity will be kept anonymous, is ‘glad’ to live in a state where “the state government has acted in the best interests of the health of its citizens.”
They continue: “And therefore, even when campus leaders make decisions like not requiring vaccination, we have the Governor to count on to make them do the right thing.”
Jenna Harb, a Sophomore Nursing student, is ‘not a huge fan’ of President Joyner’s decision to update vaccine guidelines, but her job is ‘to mandate it.’
Initially, Harb was ‘very skeptical’ about getting the vaccine because of how fast it was made, saying, “There was not much information about how effective it will be.”
“The first thing that came to mind when they made the vaccine was, ‘How are they so quick to make this vaccine but still have no vaccines for other illnesses?’”
Harb, who works 12-hour shifts per week at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, finds the rise in hospitalizations ‘really upsetting’ across the Chicagoland area.
She mentions, “I have worked on Covid floors, seeing the patients ventilated and young adults having difficulty breathing or even in really bad condition.” Harb adds, “I hope the members of our community understand how important it will be to get vaccinated to maintain their safety.”
Harb continues: “They only see numbers, but healthcare workers actually see patients struggling to survive and even just breathe normally.”
Although Harb had ‘some mixed emotions’ about the vaccine before, she is now on board with the university’s mandate. “I hate needles and any kind of shots given to me, but if it is mandatory, I will get the vaccine.”
“I hope now that everyone who is required to get vaccinated, people will abide by it and just get it for not only their safety but for others as well,” says Harb.
She continues: “As we go into the colder months, it’ll be more common for people to get sick and if it is Covid, they will hopefully not experience terrible symptoms.”
Effective August 30, Illinois will reinstate an indoor mask requirement for all [ages] 2 and over regardless of vaccination status.
Starting Sept. 5, those unwilling to receive their first dose of the vaccine will be required to be tested for the virus at least once a week.
Those who are already fully vaccinated or have received a first dose at a location other than the SXU Health Center are asked to upload their documentation to the university’s confidential Patient Portal.
In addition, all SXU individuals will be reminded of the university’s indoor masking policy, which is required regardless of vaccination status.
As protocols evolve, community members may continue to monitor their SXU email, the mySXU portal and our COVID-19 Campus Plan for Fall 2021 web page for updates.
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