Skip to main content

<p>Among the top five priorities set for MCC for the 2021-22 academic year and beyond is safely and compassionately returning to in-person learning and work. Getting vaccinated is the best defense we have against COVID-19.</p>

<p>With vaccines readily available, MCC is on track for a return to more normal operations in the <a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/etsdbs/MCCatPub.nsf/academic+calendar+lookup/2021-Fall-Semester?OpenDocument">fall semester</a>. Plans will continue to evolve as we respond to changes in federal, state, SUNY and local guidance. Help us all stay healthy and, if you&rsquo;re not yet vaccinated, get your shot right away!</p>

<p><strong>U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated as soon as this week, beginning August 23, 2021.</strong></p>

<p><strong>What you need to know:</strong></p>

<ol>
<li>Pending the FDA&rsquo;s full approval of a vaccine,&nbsp;New York&nbsp;state <a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-suny-and-cuny-boards-require-vaccinations-all-students-attending">directed</a> all public colleges/universities to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students who intend to engage in person (e.g., in-person classes, activities and services).</li>
<li>The vaccination requirement does not apply to students taking all their classes online or remotely and having no plans to come to campus.</li>
<li>Unvaccinated students across all SUNY campuses, including MCC, will be required to verify full vaccination or submit a qualified medical or religious exemption by September 27, 2021&nbsp;to attend in-person classes and activities at MCC.
<ul>
<li>Students are to use the MCC <a href="https://healthservices.monroecc.edu/login_directory.aspx">Student Health Services Portal</a> or contact Health Services Office (call 585-292-2018 or email <a href="mailto:healthsvc@monroecc.edu">healthsvc@monroecc.edu</a>) to verify vaccination and for more information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Individuals are considered fully vaccinated:
<ul>
<li>2 weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine</li>
<li>2 weeks after the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine</li>
<li>If individuals do not meet this requirement, they are not fully vaccinated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Students, faculty and staff who have verified they are fully vaccinated have the option to not participate in weekly <a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/coronavirus/pooled-covid-19-testing/">COVID-19 testing</a> at this time.</li>
<li>Students may be exempt from the vaccination requirement if a medical provider (licensed physician, physician&rsquo;s assistant or nurse practitioner) certifies in writing that the COVID-19 vaccination may be detrimental to the student&rsquo;s health.</li>
<li>Students who hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs that are contrary to COVID-19 vaccination may be exempt after submitting to MCC Health Services (<a href="mailto:healthsvc@monroecc.edu">healthsvc@monroecc.edu</a>) a written statement that explains (1) how receiving the COVID-19 vaccination conflicts with the student&rsquo;s sincere religious belief or practice, and (2) how not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination will negatively impact the student&rsquo;s completion of their programmatic or curricular requirements of the academic program. General philosophical or moral objections to such vaccine shall not suffice as the basis for a religious exemption.</li>
<li>MCC requires students, faculty, staff, and visitors&mdash;regardless of vaccination status&mdash;to&nbsp;<strong>wear masks inside college buildings</strong>&nbsp;until further notice. Masks are available at various locations on campuses and at the Applied Technologies Center. Face shields will be provided to those with qualifying medical accommodations:
<ul>
<li>Students needing accommodations should&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/depts/counsel/" target="_blank">contact Counseling and Disability Services</a>.</li>
<li>Employees needing accommodations should&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/depts/humres/" target="_blank">contact Human Resources</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Students taking in-person classes or participating in in-person activities or services while remaining unvaccinated without an approved medical or religious exemption within the 35-day period will be in violation of the <a href="file://monroecc.edu/dfs01/Services/M-Drive/Offices/President/Marketing%20and%20Community%20Relations/COVID-19%20Response/2021_Fall/Students%20enrolled%20in%20MCC%20are%20held%20accountable%20to%20the%20Student%20Code%20of%20Conduct.">MCC Student Code of Conduct</a>.</li>
<li>Visit our website (<a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/coronavirus/">MCC COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates &amp; Resources</a>) for the latest information.</li>
<li>Requirements are subject to change in response to the latest federal, state, SUNY and/or county guidance.</li>
</ol>

<p><strong>Q: <em>Why are faculty and staff not required to be vaccinated?</em><br />
A:</strong> MCC faculty and staff are committed to maintaining a healthy, safe learning and working environment. Discussions continue on vaccination requirements for employees. Employees who have not voluntarily verified vaccination with MCC Human Resources or who are unvaccinated must participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.</p>

<p><strong>Q:</strong> <strong><em>If the COVID-19 vaccine receives FDA approval after the start of the fall semester, will students be able to finish the semester without receiving the vaccine?</em><br />
A: </strong>Students taking in-person classes must be fully vaccinated within the 35-day grace period to complete the semester. Students will only be excused from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement if they qualify for and are granted a temporary medical accommodation and/or a medical or religious exemption. Students granted a temporary medical accommodation and/or a medical or religious exemption are required to wear a mask and test weekly.</p>

<p>MCC continues to offer online and remote learning options to meet students&rsquo; needs. Students have the option of signing up for (&ldquo;add&rdquo;) or removing (&ldquo;drop&rdquo;) classes during the <a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/registration-records/registration-options/#c58099">drop-add period</a>. Mandatory vaccination does not apply to students enrolled in courses that end within the 35-day grace period.</p>

<p>Students who do not submit verification of full vaccination or an official exemption within the 35-day period will be withdrawn from in-person classes and receive a &ldquo;W&rdquo; for the course(s), which may affect financial aid eligibility. Tuition refunds will follow the standard <a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/etsdbs/MCCatPub.nsf/Financial+Information/D.?OpenDocument">tuition refund schedule</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Q: <em>How do students apply for a medical or religious exemption?</em><br />
A:</strong> Exemptions are not guaranteed and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination&nbsp;are strongly encouraged to begin the process immediately by contacting <a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/depts/stuhealth/">MCC Health Services</a>.</p>

<p>Students may be exempt from the vaccination requirement if a medical provider (licensed physician, physician&rsquo;s assistant or nurse practitioner) certifies in writing to MCC Health Services that they have a medical contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccine.</p>

<p>Students who hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs that are contrary to COVID-19 vaccination may be exempt after submitting to MCC Health Services (<a href="mailto:healthsvc@monroecc.edu">healthsvc@monroecc.edu</a>) a written statement that explains (1) how receiving the COVID-19 vaccination conflicts with the student&rsquo;s sincere religious belief or practice, and (2) how not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination will negatively impact the student&rsquo;s completion of their programmatic or curricular requirements of the academic program. Supporting materials may include a letter from an authorized representative of the religious institution attended by the student or other writings or sources upon which the student relied in forming religious beliefs that prohibit immunization. General philosophical or moral objections to such vaccine shall not suffice as the basis for a religious exemption.</p>

<p>Students granted a medical or religious exemption must comply with the following requirements to attend in-person classes and activities: 1) participate weekly in COVID-19 testing and 2) wear a face covering at all times indoors except when in their private residential or personal space; when eating meals on campus while seated and social distanced; and when alone</p>

<p><strong>Questions? </strong>Contact us at <a href="mailto:covid19response@monroecc.edu">covid19response@monroecc.edu</a>. &nbsp;</p>

Repost Message
will copy the article into draft mode and enable you to edit/change dates and information.
Do not change the dates
of this posting because it will affect the original.

MCC Daily Tribune

MCC's COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: What You Need to Know

This article was updated on August 25, 2021.

Among the top five priorities set for MCC for the 2021-22 academic year and beyond is safely and compassionately returning to in-person learning and work. Getting vaccinated is the best defense we have against COVID-19.

With vaccines readily available, MCC is on track for a return to more normal operations in the fall semester. Plans will continue to evolve as we respond to changes in federal, state, SUNY and local guidance. Help us all stay healthy and, if you’re not yet vaccinated, get your shot right away!

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated as soon as this week, beginning August 23, 2021.

What you need to know:

  1. Pending the FDA’s full approval of a vaccine, New York state directed all public colleges/universities to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students who intend to engage in person (e.g., in-person classes, activities and services).
  2. The vaccination requirement does not apply to students taking all their classes online or remotely and having no plans to come to campus.
  3. Unvaccinated students across all SUNY campuses, including MCC, will be required to verify full vaccination or submit a qualified medical or religious exemption by September 27, 2021 to attend in-person classes and activities at MCC.
  4. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated:
    • 2 weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine
    • 2 weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine
    • If individuals do not meet this requirement, they are not fully vaccinated.
  5. Students, faculty and staff who have verified they are fully vaccinated have the option to not participate in weekly COVID-19 testing at this time.
  6. Students may be exempt from the vaccination requirement if a medical provider (licensed physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner) certifies in writing that the COVID-19 vaccination may be detrimental to the student’s health.
  7. Students who hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs that are contrary to COVID-19 vaccination may be exempt after submitting to MCC Health Services (healthsvc@monroecc.edu) a written statement that explains (1) how receiving the COVID-19 vaccination conflicts with the student’s sincere religious belief or practice, and (2) how not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination will negatively impact the student’s completion of their programmatic or curricular requirements of the academic program. General philosophical or moral objections to such vaccine shall not suffice as the basis for a religious exemption.
  8. MCC requires students, faculty, staff, and visitors—regardless of vaccination status—to wear masks inside college buildings until further notice. Masks are available at various locations on campuses and at the Applied Technologies Center. Face shields will be provided to those with qualifying medical accommodations:
  9. Students taking in-person classes or participating in in-person activities or services while remaining unvaccinated without an approved medical or religious exemption within the 35-day period will be in violation of the MCC Student Code of Conduct.
  10. Visit our website (MCC COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates & Resources) for the latest information.
  11. Requirements are subject to change in response to the latest federal, state, SUNY and/or county guidance.

Q: Why are faculty and staff not required to be vaccinated?
A:
MCC faculty and staff are committed to maintaining a healthy, safe learning and working environment. Discussions continue on vaccination requirements for employees. Employees who have not voluntarily verified vaccination with MCC Human Resources or who are unvaccinated must participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.

Q: If the COVID-19 vaccine receives FDA approval after the start of the fall semester, will students be able to finish the semester without receiving the vaccine?
A:
Students taking in-person classes must be fully vaccinated within the 35-day grace period to complete the semester. Students will only be excused from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement if they qualify for and are granted a temporary medical accommodation and/or a medical or religious exemption. Students granted a temporary medical accommodation and/or a medical or religious exemption are required to wear a mask and test weekly.

MCC continues to offer online and remote learning options to meet students’ needs. Students have the option of signing up for (“add”) or removing (“drop”) classes during the drop-add period. Mandatory vaccination does not apply to students enrolled in courses that end within the 35-day grace period.

Students who do not submit verification of full vaccination or an official exemption within the 35-day period will be withdrawn from in-person classes and receive a “W” for the course(s), which may affect financial aid eligibility. Tuition refunds will follow the standard tuition refund schedule.

Q: How do students apply for a medical or religious exemption?
A:
Exemptions are not guaranteed and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination are strongly encouraged to begin the process immediately by contacting MCC Health Services.

Students may be exempt from the vaccination requirement if a medical provider (licensed physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner) certifies in writing to MCC Health Services that they have a medical contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Students who hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs that are contrary to COVID-19 vaccination may be exempt after submitting to MCC Health Services (healthsvc@monroecc.edu) a written statement that explains (1) how receiving the COVID-19 vaccination conflicts with the student’s sincere religious belief or practice, and (2) how not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination will negatively impact the student’s completion of their programmatic or curricular requirements of the academic program. Supporting materials may include a letter from an authorized representative of the religious institution attended by the student or other writings or sources upon which the student relied in forming religious beliefs that prohibit immunization. General philosophical or moral objections to such vaccine shall not suffice as the basis for a religious exemption.

Students granted a medical or religious exemption must comply with the following requirements to attend in-person classes and activities: 1) participate weekly in COVID-19 testing and 2) wear a face covering at all times indoors except when in their private residential or personal space; when eating meals on campus while seated and social distanced; and when alone

Questions? Contact us at covid19response@monroecc.edu.  

DeAnna Burt-Nanna
Office of the President
08/23/2021