Important information about VCU’s vaccination requirements
Dear students,
The VCU community is looking forward to being together on campus this fall! We want to assure you that you will enjoy a robust and engaging on-campus learning and living experience.
As we prepare for the fall, VCU’s administration, in conjunction with VCU’s Public Health Response Team, is making certain to keep your health, safety and well-being at the forefront of every decision the university makes.
As part of the effort to keep you safe, the university’s administration has made the decision to require the COVID vaccination for all students who live, learn, work or will be on campus for any reason (excluding those with religious or health exemptions).
What does this mean for you and other students coming to VCU this fall?
Vaccinations: Vaccinations are required for all students who live, learn, work or will be on campus for any reason (excluding those with religious or health exemptions).
Students attending fall classes are required to report their vaccination or submit an exemption request to University Student Health Services. At this time we have not received this information from you. Please submit your documentation as soon as possible to avoid a registration hold on your account. Please see below for details about registration holds.
For more information about full vaccination documentation requirements, religious and health exemptions, and vaccine manufacturers, see the student vaccine FAQ.
- Students who have already received their first dose and are getting their second dose at a later date should submit their first-dose documentation and note the date of the appointment of their second dose. They should then upload the documentation showing both doses as soon as possible after their second dose.
- Students who receive a two-dose vaccination must report completion of both doses. This requirement will allow you and all our students to safely learn, live, gather and experience the university at its best. For more information about full vaccination, documentation requirements, religious and health exemptions, and vaccine manufacturers, see the student vaccine FAQ.
- Students who receive vaccination exemptions must follow safety guidelines for their health and for the health of our community, including but not limited to: wearing a mask, routine surveillance testing, completing daily health checks, and continuing to follow public safety measures including quarantine procedures. Entry Pass requirements will apply and entry will be allowed if the proper public health measures are followed.
- Students living in on-campus housing will need to submit COVID-19 vaccination records before they can sign up for a move-in time slot.
- Vaccinated students are exempt from masking, daily health checks, surveillance testing and quarantine requirements. Entry Pass requirements will continue to apply; however, your Entry Pass will default to a green check.
Registration hold: If you do not report your vaccination to University Student Health Services, you will have a registration hold placed on your account. This means you will not be allowed to register or make changes to your course schedule; you will not be able to add or drop courses. In addition, students who plan to live in on-campus student housing will not be allowed to move into your residence halls until you are able to provide your vaccination documentation to VCU Student Health Services.
Masks: Masks are not required for those who are vaccinated, but remain required for those who are not vaccinated and required for everyone (vaccinated or unvaccinated) in the following settings:
- Congregate housing: Specifically, masks are required in all common areas of VCU residence halls
- Health care settings at VCU (e.g., University Student Health Services, University Counseling, VCU Health System owned, operated or leased spaces, etc.)
- Whenever accommodations for immune-compromised community members may be necessary
Should you need additional information, check our One VCU: Better Together website, which is regularly updated with the most current details about being on campus this fall.
Again, we look forward to seeing you on campus soon!
Sincerely,
Charles Klink, Ph.D.
Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs