On Nov. 5, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette released a statement regarding vaccinations on campus.
According to the email that was sent out, all employees of the university must receive a COVID-19 vaccine by Jan. 4 2022. This was updated from the original date of Dec. 8 of this year.
“Initial guidance stated that two weeks must have elapsed since your final dose prior to the deadline to ensure you were fully vaccinated. The new guidance states you must receive your final vaccination dose – either the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson – by Jan. 4.” the email reads.
This includes student workers and graduate students as well.
“The process to comply with the federal executive order is separate from the one student workers and graduate assistants followed earlier this semester. As such, student workers and graduate assistants must follow the process outlined below regardless of whether they provided proof of their COVID-19 immunization or completed and submitted the Exemption From Immunizations Declaration form,” the email says.
The university, as a federal contractor, must comply with the executive order released by President Biden.
According to section one of the executive order, “Accordingly, building on these actions, and in light of the public health guidance regarding the most effective and necessary defenses against COVID-19, I have determined that to promote the health and safety of the Federal workforce and the efficiency of the civil service, it is necessary to require COVID-19 vaccination for all Federal employees, subject to such exceptions as required by law.”
However, the order does allow for exemptions for disabilities which must be filled out by a medical professional.
“If a medical exemption is requested, Student must return the completed Vaccine Exemption Physician Certification Form (attached) to Student Health Services at Patient Portal,” reads the Request For Exemption from Immunizations form.
A sincerely held religious exemption may also be requested.
“In compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the University prohibits employment discrimination based on religion and will provide reasonable accommodation to eliminate conflict for an individual’s sincerely held religious beliefs or practices unless providing such accommodation would pose an undue hardship, or cause more than a minimal burden on the University’s business operation. Social, political, or economic philosophies, or personal preferences, are not religious beliefs or practices protected under Title VII,” reads the Religious Accommodation Request Form.
The email also gives dates for which the vaccine needs to be taken, depending on which one is received.
“Tuesday, Dec. 7, for the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Tuesday, Dec. 14, for the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Tuesday, Jan. 4, for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine,” the email reads.
Employees who do not comply will be placed on leave from the university.
“Noncompliant employees will not be permitted to work on campus. Staff members will be placed on unpaid leave. Faculty members will be placed on paid suspension or unpaid leave per the Faculty Handbook,” the email update released on Nov. 9 says.