Submitted by cwallac on Tue, 09/21/2021 - 12:45

Dear Colleagues,

Last week, the White House announced the Path Out of the Pandemic which outlines a national strategy to combat COVID-19. Part of the strategy is to require all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure workers are vaccinated against COVID-19 or produce a weekly negative test before coming to work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is expected to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard in the near future setting forth more details regarding the vaccination rule. 

In response to this new requirement, Tulane University has officially adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees. The goal of this policy is to provide a safe and healthy workplace for Tulane and the broader New Orleans community.

To be compliant with this new policy, all staff and faculty must submit proof of their completed COVID-19 vaccination through the Campus Health Portal by November 15, 2021. For the 95% of our Tulane community already vaccinated, if you have already submitted your proof of vaccination, no action is required.  If you need guidance on uploading your vaccine record to this portal, please review this online video tutorial. 

All exemptions from vaccines must be submitted for approval. Medical exemption forms can be found here and should be submitted to ADAAccess@tulane.edu. Religious exemption forms can be found here and should be submitted to EmployeeRelations@tulane.edu. If you have previously reported declination of vaccination, you will now need to submit for exemption from vaccination.

Our vaccine requirement is part of Tulane’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at:

  • decreasing the likelihood of contracting the coronavirus
  • preventing serious illness in individuals who do contract the coronavirus, and
  • limiting transmission of the coronavirus.

For more information on how to schedule your free vaccination, please visit the Campus Health Vaccination Providers website. 

If you have questions about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, exemptions, etc., please contact EmployeeRelations@tulane.edu.

Patrick Norton, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Robin Forman, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Jonathan Small, Associate Vice President, Office of Human Resources & Institutional Equity