COVID-19 Update: Student vaccination requirement

At Marquette, we are committed to being the difference. Our Catholic, Jesuit mission and values call on us to care for each other and serve the common good. In this spirit, we are requiring that students (undergraduate, graduate, professional) who will be attending classes during the 2021-22 academic year be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 1, 2021. This decision was made after consulting with health experts, and it has been endorsed by the university’s COVID-19 Response Team, the University Academic Senate Executive Committee, the Staff Senate and the Graduate Student Organization. University leadership also consulted with the Marquette University Student Government Executive Board before making this decision, and will be continuing to work alongside them as well as other student leaders to ensure that all students’ needs and interests are fully represented and supported.

While the university is not requiring that faculty and staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated for your safety and well-being and to help protect your colleagues, our students and the broader community.

This decision was based on scientific evidence that vaccines are safe and effective at reducing transmission of the virus. A vaccinated student population allows us to provide a richer in-person experience, reduce testing and let our students interact more freely across campus.

As is the case with the university’s other required vaccines, students can request an exemption for medical or religious reasons or based on their personal conviction. Students who are granted an exemption will be required to undergo surveillance testing for COVID-19. For answers to specific questions, please check the Frequently Asked Questions page on our COVID-19 website.

To ensure that all can interact, innovate, collaborate and solve problems in service of our students and each other, employees who have not already returned to on-campus work are expected to do so by Aug. 16 or the start date of your fall contract. Human Resources will provide deans, vice presidents, vice provosts and supervisors with guidance on returning to on-campus work in the coming weeks.

VACCINATIONS — WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

For those who provide proof of vaccination status, once your vaccination forms are submitted and verified, you will no longer be required to complete the daily COVID Cheq screening.

Following is important information and instructions to help you. Additionally, we have detailed information to help answer many of your questions on the FAQ page of the COVID-19 website.

Uploading your proof of vaccination
You can upload your vaccine dates and record of vaccination on the MU Patient Portal. You will need to enter your vaccine dates under the “Immunizations” tab and upload a copy of your vaccine card or other proof of vaccination under the “Upload” tab. Official documentation (i.e., the vaccination card you received from the provider who administered your vaccine) that shows an FDA or WHO approved COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of vaccination can also be obtained from your state immunization registry or the provider that administered the vaccine.

Getting your vaccine
The Marquette Medical Clinic has the Johnson & Johnson vaccine available until June 20. Please call 414-288-7184 to schedule an appointment. See where else you can get the COVID-19 vaccine near campus.

What to do about COVID Cheq
Once your vaccination forms are submitted and verified, you will no longer be required to complete the daily COVID Cheq screening. Please note that verification of vaccination status could take up to two weeks due to expected volume. This protocol will go into effect July 19, but you can upload your vaccination information at any time. You will continue to receive and are expected to complete COVID Cheq until at least July 19.

COVID Cheq will continue to be required to enter the libraries, Marquette dining halls, the recreation facilities and other venues. As of July 19, students, faculty and staff whose vaccine status has been validated by the Medical Clinic will receive an email each day with a “Green Badge” and will no longer need to complete the daily COVID Cheq screening. Individuals who become symptomatic will be required to resume symptom screening through COVID Cheq.

Your privacy
Marquette will continue to comply with all applicable privacy, confidentiality and public health laws relating to collection and maintenance of health-related records. The university recognizes the importance of protecting private health information and will protect faculty, student and staff privacy by limiting what sensitive information is collected, who has access to it, how it is used and how long it is retained to the extent possible while protecting public health.

Vaccine information provided to the Medical Clinic is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The COVID Cheq application will be linked to vaccine status as recorded in the Medical System (Medicat), to determine if the employee is no longer required to get the daily COVID Cheq questions.

Please visit the FAQ page of the COVID-19 website for all other detailed information.