PURPOSE

This policy was established to describe the University's requirements related to the COVID-19 vaccine and outlines the process for possible exemptions. The University will follow the guidance of local, state, and federal health agencies, as applicable, to ensure a safe working environment for the University community.

APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all Faculty and Professional Staff Members, including any Professional Staff Member who is affiliated with a collective bargaining unit. "Drexel University" includes any of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, but not limited to, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and Drexel University Online.

IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the Department of Human Resources.

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT

The Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer is the Drexel University official responsible for the administration of this policy.

POLICY

The University requires the COVID-19 vaccination for all Faculty and Professional Staff Members, including any Professional Staff Member who is affiliated with a collective bargaining unit, who have job duties that require any physical presence on campus. Faculty and Professional Staff are responsible for scheduling and obtaining all recommended dose(s) of an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine granted Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA to be considered fully vaccinated as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Faculty and Professional Staff Members who are granted vaccination exemptions will be required to continue to comply with the University’s health and safety protocols, which include, but are not limited to, daily symptom check-ins via the Drexel Health Checker App, COVID screening tests, and wearing masks while in Drexel owned or leased facilities.

Because public health guidelines and best practices regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines are changing rapidly as new information becomes available, the University reserves the right to modify its health and safety protocols and/or this policy at any time to adapt to changing circumstances and business needs, consistent with its commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.

DEFINITIONS

Department Head is defined as the highest ranking administrator in a department, center or college/school within the University (e.g., Senior Vice President, Dean, Director, or department chair).

Faculty Member is defined as an individual employed by Drexel University in a tenured, tenure-track, non-tenured track or adjunct position who teaches at any college, school, center or institute in the University. A Faculty Member also is deemed to be exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and/or applicable state law.

Professional Staff Member is defined as an individual employed in any non-faculty category by Drexel University, including an individual who is deemed to be either exempt or non-exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and/or applicable state law.

PROCEDURES

1. Recording COVID-19 Vaccination Status
   1. Faculty and Professional Staff Members must provide receipt of required COVID-19 vaccine(s) by submitting a copy of their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to the Drexel Health Checker App.
   2. New hires will be required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to their start date.
2. Exemptions
   1. Faculty and Professional Staff Members must request an exemption through the COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Process. Those who are granted an exemption will be required to comply with the University’s health and safety protocols, which include, but are not limited to, daily symptom check-ins via the Drexel Checker App, screening tests, and wearing masks while in Drexel owned or leased facilities.
   2. Faculty and Professional Staff Members may request other reasonable accommodations, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, through outreach to HRDisability@drexel.edu.

COMPLIANCE

Requirement for Unvaccinated Faculty and Professional Staff Members

1. Effective August 1, 2021, Faculty and Professional Staff members who received a University-granted exemption, are required to comply with the University’s health and safety protocols, which include, but are not limited to, daily symptom check-ins via the Drexel Checker App, screening tests, and wearing masks at all times while working in Drexel owned or leased facilities.
2. Upon the first occurrence, individuals who fail to comply with required COVID-19 health and safety protocols will receive a written warning from their supervisor.
3. Upon the second occurrence of non-compliance with required COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the individual will be placed on a three (3) day suspension without pay.
4. Upon the third occurrence of non-compliance with required COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the Faculty or Professional Staff member will be subject to further disciplinary action up to, and including, termination.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT NOT AFFECTED

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated in this policy, nothing herein is intended to alter the at-will status of any Professional Staff Member. Drexel University at all times retains the right to terminate any Professional Staff Member at any time for any lawful reason, or for no reason at all.