Required COVID-19 Vaccination and Exemption Policy For Students

Please note that the following is archived content. As of May 2023, COVID vaccinations are no longer required for students, staff, or faculty. You can read the updated policy here. For up-to-date information, please refer to the A-Z Index

 

06.11.21

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 is a highly transmissible respiratory illness that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a pandemic. It causes symptoms ranging from mild to severe and can lead to life-threatening illness, hospitalization, and death. COVID-19 vaccines have been carefully evaluated in clinical trials and authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use. These vaccines make it substantially less likely an individual will contract COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die, and they protect not only the individuals vaccinated, but also others in the community, particularly those who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

POLICY

The university is confident that vaccinations are essential to our community’s health and our return to in-person learning, living, and co-curricular activities in the fall. Following the recommendations of the CDC and WHO that all eligible adults and teens vaccinate, LMU requires that all students that enter our campuses be vaccinated against COVID-19, beginning in Fall 2021. 

The university allows exemptions on a case-by-case basis for students with qualifying medical or religious reasons. Where exemptions are granted, the university requires additional COVID-19 surveillance testing and submission of the daily Lion Health Check attestation. Other requirements may also apply.

All students are required to demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated prior to the commencement of fall classes. A fully vaccinated individual under this policy has received all required doses of an FDA (or non-U.S. equivalent public health authority) approved SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) vaccination.

  • Pfizer-BioNTech (0.3 ml each): two doses at least 3 weeks (21 days) apart, but no more than 6 weeks (42 days)
  • Moderna (0.5 ml each): two doses at least 4 weeks (24-28 days) apart, but no more than 6 weeks (42 days)
  • Janssen, Johnson & Johnson (0.5 ml): one dose

All Westchester and Playa Vista students are required to submit their vaccination documentation by August 6, 2021 and be fully vaccinated by August 20, 2021

All LLS students are required to submit their vaccination documentation by July 26, 2021 and be fully vaccinated by August 9, 2021.

All submissions are reviewed by the Student Vaccination Verification Team. This information is used to gauge vaccination levels of the LMU community and to facilitate isolation and quarantine of individuals, as required by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH).

LMU offers assistance to international students who are unable to be vaccinated in their home country and who have fall housing assignments with accommodations, either on or off campus, during their quarantine period. Current LACDPH quarantine guidelines.

For resident students, failure to register vaccination information by August 6, 2021 and be fully vaccinated by August 20, 2021, will result in the cancelation of their housing license agreement.

Students who wish to request a vaccination exemption for medical or religious reasons must complete the appropriate exemption form available through the Vax LMU system no later than June 30, 2021 for residential students or July 15, 2021 for non-residential students. Medical exemption forms require a signature from the student’s current medical provider and will be reviewed by LMU health care professionals. Religious exemption forms require a statement from the student and will be reviewed by a university team chaired by the Dean of Students. 

Inquiries regarding:

 

1. DOCUMENTATION AND VERIFICATION

Students are required to utilize the Vax LMU system to verify they have been vaccinated. This system will require students to complete a series of data fields (vaccine received, date(s) of dosage, vaccine provider) and to upload an acceptable form of documentation. This upload is required.

Acceptable documentation includes:

  • CDC or similar non-us entity immunization card
  • Healthcare provider immunization record 

The Student Vaccination Verification Team will review all student submissions and the Dean of Students Office will be the data steward for all information and documentation submitted by students in the Vax LMU system.

 

2. REQUESTS FOR VACCINATION EXEMPTION

Students who wish to request a vaccination exemption for medical or religious reasons must complete the appropriate exemption form available through Vax LMU no later than June 30, 2021 for residential students or July 15, 2021 for non-residential students.

Medical exemption forms must be completed and signed by a MD, DO, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant.

Religious exemptions will only be accepted for the COVID-19 vaccine (and not other LMU-required immunizations). The exemption form requires a signed written statement from the student describing the reason for the exemption and must include:

  • An explanation of the reason for exemption in your own words;
  • A description of the religious principle that guides your objection;
  • An indication of whether this religious belief constitutes an objection to all immunizations or only this vaccine; if it is not an objection to all immunizations, you must explain the religious basis for not receiving this particular immunization.

Religious exemptions are reviewed by a university team chaired by the Dean of Students.

Students with approved medical or religious exemptions are required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing and complete the daily Lion’s Health Check attestation. Other requirements may also apply from time to time as CDC, LACDPH, or LMU requirements change.

 

3. STUDENT HOUSING

Proof of Vaccination/Exemption

In order to live in university housing, all resident students must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exemption. All resident students must submit proof of vaccination through the Vax LMU system by August 6, 2021. All resident students requesting an exemption must complete the appropriate exemption form available through the Vax LMU system no later than June 30, 2021. 

Cancelation of Room Assignment

On August 9, 2021, the Student Vaccination Verification Team will confirm with Student Housing which resident students will be fully vaccinated prior to the start of fall classes or have received an approved exemption. These students will be cleared to move into their housing assignments on designated check-in days during the week of August 23, 2021. Student Housing will cancel the license agreements for all students who are not cleared to move into their room assignments by the August 6, 2021, submission deadline. The housing deposits of these students will be refunded to their student accounts. 

Room Assignments

Student Housing and LACDPH guidelines will be used to assign rooms and roommates during the summer months. Per L.A. Public Health, vaccinated and unvaccinated students are permitted to room together. Students with approved accommodations for a single room from Disability Support Services and students with approved vaccine medical exemptions will be prioritized.

Early Arrival

Early arrivals to student housing (student athletes, RAs, student leaders, etc.) must be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption prior to their arrival date (e.g., if an athlete is expected to arrive July 30, they must be fully vaccinated by that date).  

LMU will assist early arriving international students who were unable to be vaccinated in their home country and who have fall housing assignments with accommodations, either on or off campus, during their quarantine period. Current LACDPH quarantine guidelines.

Guest Policy

Only registered students and others assigned or authorized to work in the facilities will be permitted in Student Housing facilities.

 

4. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

All students, including international students, are required to be fully vaccinated. The Vax LMU system allows international students to submit documentation for approved vaccines they received in their home country as proof of being fully vaccinated.

International students who are unable to be vaccinated in their home country and can obtain a student visa and enter the US will be assisted in obtaining a vaccination when they arrive at LMU. The LMU vaccination clinic will provide vaccines to students. LMU will assist international students who have fall housing assignments with accommodations during their quarantine period, either on or off campus. 

LMU follows CDC and LACDPH guidelines regarding COVID testing and quarantine for students who are not vaccinated.

 

5. STUDENT WORK

All students must adhere to health and safety guidelines and vaccination protocols for students.  Additionally, students employed by the university must follow all health and safety guidelines, return to work protocols  and vaccination protocols set forth by Human Resources.

 

6. SURVEILLANCE TESTING

Third-party testing managed by LMU COVID Testing will be required for those with an approved exemption. Testing schedules will follow LACDPH guidelines. Issues of non-compliance with testing protocols are referred to LMU Student Conduct for evaluation and potential adjudication.

 

7. COMMUNITY STANDARDS

At LMU, protecting the health, safety and well-being of the community is a top priority. Due to the current declared public emergency COVID-19 communicable disease outbreak/pandemic, LMU acknowledges that new standards of behavior are expected of all community members including students, as each community member must prioritize the health and safety of others in addition to their own personal self-care. LMU is committed to taking necessary and appropriate steps consistent with guidance from LACDPH to best safeguard our community. As responsible members of the LMU community, students are expected to adhere, with integrity, to health and safety practices that place the needs of the campus and all its constituents first. Students are held accountable for violating the rules and guidelines set forth in the Community Standards in accordance with the process and procedures set out in the Student Conduct Code.  

The LMU COVID Support Team, Residence Life, the Department of Public Safety and other university administrative units will refer student non-compliance with COVID-19 related health and safety directives to LMU Student Conduct for evaluation and possible adjudication.

 

8. COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION

Student Affairs will continue to provide education through LMU CARES and will educate all students regarding Excellent Infectious Behavior Control (EIBC) expectations for the 2021-22 academic year. The university will continue to provide COVID related updates.