FAQs: HNU’s Vaccination Requirement

Holy Names University is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our entire campus community. As we plan for some in-person activity on campus, we have determined that a COVID-19 vaccination requirement will ensure we have the safest environment for our students, faculty, and staff.

COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to significantly reduce the probability of contracting and spreading the virus. They also reduce the chance of serious illness for those who do contract the virus. According to the CDC, the vaccines have received and continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.

All enrolled students, faculty, and staff must be vaccinated or obtain an exemption. Faculty and staff who work 100% remotely, and who will not visit campus or have any contact with any staff, faculty, or students will be exempt from this policy.

In accordance with CDC guidelines, we now require the COVID-19 booster as part of our vaccination requirement. As a reminder, students submit their information to Symplicity, and staff and faculty to hr@hnu.edu. The deadline to submit this information is Monday, February 14, 2022. If you are not yet eligible for the booster due to the date of your previous doses, please let us know. Students can email studentvaccine@hnu.edu and faculty and staff can email hr@hnu.edu. If you are vaccinated but choose not to receive the booster shot, you will not be considered fully vaccinated and will need to follow the related health protocols which include participating in weekly testing and wearing a mask at all times on campus.

HNU will need documentation of vaccination status (including date of first dose if second dose has not yet been obtained) by January 17, 2022.

Individuals who intend to be vaccinated but are unable to obtain an appointment prior to January 17 should notify the University of their status to determine next steps.

Students: Contact studentvaccine@hnu.edu.
Faculty and Staff: Contact HR@hnu.edu

Students, faculty, and staff may apply for an exemption for medical reasons (including pregnancy and breastfeeding) or for deeply held religious beliefs.

No, this is not an approved exemption.

Students: The exemption form is also available on the Symplicity portal.

Faculty and Staff: Contact HR at HR@hnu.edu

The COVID Response Team reviews student exemption requests. Human Resources reviews staff and faculty exemption requests.

You can expect a response 4-5 business days from when the completed form was submitted.

Students: You will receive instructions in a separate email regarding how to upload proof of vaccination to HNU’s Residence – Symplicity portal.

Staff and Faculty: You may provide proof of vaccination to the HR Office in person or via email at HR@hnu.edu

Students: Students who do not provide documentation of vaccination or are not approved for an exemption will be prohibited from living on campus, participating in athletics, or attending in person classes, and may have restricted access to campus.

Faculty and Staff: Those whose positions require on-campus work for any time frame must provide proof of vaccination or have an approved accommodation in order to maintain their employment.

In the U.S., these are the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. For outside of the US, all vaccines on the WHO approved list will be recognized.

Vaccines are now available to Californians 12 years and older. Here are a few resources:

• Register at myturn.ca.gov to find other locations with available appointments.
• Check directly with your healthcare provider.
• County public health pages in Alameda County and Contra Costa County list vaccination sites with appointments.

Students traveling from outside of the U.S. to HNU need to quarantine if they are unvaccinated or if their vaccine is not on the WHO approved list. Residents can coordinate quarantine space and move-in dates with Ang Banez at ResidenceLife@hnu.edu.

If you have the opportunity to receive the COVID vaccine outside of the US, we encourage you to do so.  All vaccines on the WHO approved list will be recognized.  Please be sure to have a picture/copy of your vaccine record that includes your name, the vaccine name, and date of administration.

Individuals who have not yet received vaccines or received vaccines not approved by either the FDA or the WHO will need to receive an FDA-approved vaccine upon arrival in the U.S. Click here for information about WHO-approved vaccines. If necessary, you will be able to receive another vaccine when you arrive. During this time, we ask that you abide by CDC and California State guidelines that require those who are not fully vaccinated to wear a face mask and self-quarantine upon arrival.

Employees are entitled to 80 hours of paid leave for the following reasons:

1. The employee is subject to a quarantine or isolation period related to COVID-19.
2. The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.
3. The employee is attending an appointment to receive a vaccine for protection against COVID-19.
4. The employee is experiencing symptoms related to a COVID-19 vaccine that prevents the employee from being able to work (including remote work).
5. The employee is experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 and seeking medical diagnosis.
6. The employee is caring for a family member who is subject to a quarantine or isolation order or has been advised to self-quarantine.
7. The employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed or otherwise unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

The State of California, Department of Industrial Relations required notice was emailed to all HNU staff and faculty, is posted at HNU campus locations where other employment notices are posted, and available in the ADP Forms Library. Please contact HR if you have questions at HR@hnu.edu

There will be regular testing for unvaccinated staff, faculty, and students who have an approved exemption and are living on campus or participating in athletics.

We will continue to use the Envoy app and perform temperature checks at the front gate. Envoy will ask visitors to indicate whether they’ve been vaccinated. It will remind users that all visitors must: maintain social distancing and regularly wash or sanitize hands. Unvaccinated visitors must wear a mask and accept the potential risk or consequences associated with being unvaccinated.

HNU’s COVID Response Team is:
Phil Bellici-Gard
Kim Bowers
Sonia Caltvedt
Luis Guerra
John Hofmann
Rob Kinnard
Danielle LaPergola
Laura Lyndon
Nicole Whitner