Table of Contents

January 11, 2022

I. INTRODUCTION
II. SCOPE
III. DEFINITIONS
IV. VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
V. PROCESS
VI. COMPLIANCE
VII. ADDITIONAL MATTERS

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 is a highly transmissible illness, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has created a global pandemic and unprecedented disruption to the way we live and work. Vaccination is highly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration  (FDA) under Emergency Use Authorization have proven safe and effective according to public health experts and agencies around the world, including the CDC. The College requires vaccination against COVID-19 to reduce the spread of the disease within our community, to help create a safe living and working environment, and to minimize the pandemic’s impact on College operations.

II. SCOPE

This policy applies to all employees and volunteers of the College working on campus.[1]

III. DEFINITIONS

Approved COVID-19 Vaccine. The Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson COVID -19 vaccine.[2]

Fully Vaccinated. Individuals who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or a single dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine more than 14 days ago.[3]

IV. VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

As a condition of continued employment, the College requires that all employees and volunteers be Fully Vaccinated with an Approved COVID-19 Vaccine, and effective February 1, 2022, receive a booster shot within 30 days of becoming eligible. All employees and volunteers must submit proof of such unless they request, and the College approves, a medical or religious exemption.

V. PROCESS

Employees and volunteers must enter and upload their vaccination and booster information and record by logging into WINDOW on InsideWheaton. Directions for doing so can be found on the College’s website.  Volunteers without access to WINDOW should contact Human Resources.

An individual who cannot receive an Approved COVID-19 Vaccine due to a medical condition may request an exemption accommodation by completing the required form and documentation and submitting it to Human Resources.  Additionally, individuals may request an exemption accommodation in connection with a sincerely held religious belief by completing the required form and submitting it to Human Resources.  All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The College is not required to waive essential functions of an employee’s position. Further, exemption accommodation requests that result in an undue hardship to the College or that are not otherwise legally required may not be approved.

VI. COMPLIANCE

(1) Deadlines.  All employees and volunteers must be Fully Vaccinated with an Approved COVID-19 Vaccine by August 31, 2021 (or, for prospective employees and volunteers and for those returning from leaves or sabbaticals, by a later date when their on-campus work for the College commences). Employees must submit evidence of their Approved COVID-19 vaccination by the deadline date. Employees seeking an exemption should contact Human Resources and must submit an exemption request as soon as possible through the procedures outlined above. Effective February 1, 2022, all employees and volunteers must receive a booster shot within 30 days of becoming eligible. Employees must submit evidence of their booster shot by February 1, 2022 or within the 30 day period since becoming eligible.

(2) Consequences of Non-Compliance.  If an employee is not Fully Vaccinated or does not receive a booster shot (and does not receive an exemption) and submit proof in accordance with the deadlines outlined above, then the following will be implemented:

  1. The employee will be placed on an unpaid Leave of Absence (LOA) for 90 days during which the employee will be eligible for benefits (including healthcare) except as required by law.
  2. The employee may return to work once Fully Vaccinated, but must return prior to the end of the LOA.
  3. If an employee is not Fully Vaccinated at the end of their 90-day LOA, it will be considered job abandonment and the College may terminate the employee.

(3) Employees and Volunteers with Exemptions who are not Fully Vaccinated. Employees and Volunteers who are not Fully Vaccinated but have requested and received a medical or religious exemption must abide by all health and safety measures required by the College, including but not limited to masking, physical distancing, and continued COVID-19 surveillance testing.

 

VII. ADDITIONAL MATTERS

  1. Vendors.  The College will work with its vendors to ensure that vendor employees working on campus meet the standards for vaccination outlined in this policy.[4]
  2. Policy Amendments. This policy may be amended, modified, supplemented or replaced, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time by the College.

[1] For the purposes of this policy, the term “volunteers” includes all individuals who provide regular or seasonal, unpaid service to the College on campus.

[2] The definition of Approved COVID-19 Vaccine includes current vaccines that have been granted Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA.

[3] The definition of Fully Vaccinated is consistent with current guidance issued by the CDC.

[4] Vendors of the College include Aramark, Follett, and Securitas.