Overview
St. Mary’s College of Maryland (hereinafter “the College”) is committed to providing and maintaining a learning and working environment that is safe and free of known hazards. The College is adopting this vaccination policy to mitigate risk and protect the health of students, employees, customers, visitors and the community within the campus environment from COVID-19. This policy is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable. The College shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws in granting exemptions for medical and religious reasons.
Scope
All students (including full- and part-time, degree-seeking and non-degree seeking, residential and commuter), all employees (including faculty and staff, permanent, contractual, part time, adjunct instructors and may include any others who receive payment from the College) and all guests and visitors are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement will be treated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the College’s collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME.
Effective Monday, January 17, 2022, all vaccinated students and employees will be required to receive a booster shot within 30 days of becoming eligible.
Students and employees must upload a copy of their updated vaccination card, reporting the date on which they received their booster shot, to the Wellness Center confidential Medicat Records by January 17, 2022 (or 30 days after becoming eligible for a booster if eligibility is after December 21, 2021). Uploading instructions can be found HERE.
Exceptions to the mandatory vaccine requirement will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and other applicable workplace laws (for staff and faculty). Exemptions will only be granted for medical, religious, or pregnancy reasons.
Process
Employees
Employees are required to complete the full number of doses required of the relevant COVID-19 vaccine prior to arrival on campus. Employees must provide proof of vaccination to the Office of Human Resources.
Step by step directions for Uploading COVID-19 Vaccine Proof for SMCM.
Employee Exemptions
The College shall comply with all federal and state laws in granting appropriate exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Employees in these situations may request an exemption and will be required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing. To request an exemption from the vaccine requirement the employee should complete the Employee Vaccine Exemption Form. To request an exemption from the booster requirement the employee should complete the Employee Booster Exemption Form.
Employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement will be treated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the College’s collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME.
Students
Students must receive the full number of doses required of the relevant COVID-19 vaccine before arriving on campus.
Students shall provide proof of vaccination to the Wellness Center through MEDICAT, available at https://smcm.medicatconnect.com.
Student Exemptions
The College shall comply with all federal and state laws in granting appropriate exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Students in these situations may request an exemption and will be required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing. To request an exemption the student should complete the Student Exemption Form.
Students may direct any questions regarding this policy to the Wellness Center. Faculty and staff may direct questions to Human Resources.
Visitors
Campus visitors must be up to date on vaccinations for COVID-19 and be able to present proof upon request by College officials when attending indoor events or large gatherings outside when social distancing cannot be ensured. If campus visitors are not up to date on vaccinations or cannot show proof, they must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival to campus.
Student Guests
Student Guests must follow the policy for student guests.