Message from the President (August 30)

Posted on Monday, August 30th, 2021

Dear Colleagues and Learners:

I want to update you with the latest details on the College’s Mandatory Vaccination Policy – originally announced last week.

I know many of you have urgent questions regarding this policy and its impact, and I want to sincerely thank you for your patience. While some implementation details are still being finalized, you can read the official policy here, and visit our FAQ for more information.

Our mandatory vaccination policy applies to all learners, employees, contractors and visitors attending in-person activities at our campuses or off-campus locations leased by the College such as Corporate Training Services at 700 Sussex Drive in Ottawa and Employment Services Offices operated by the College. In-person activities include participation in academic instruction, accessing services or attending organized events. The College’s new policy responds to regulatory requirements to implement public health guidance calling for post-secondary institutions to require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for those attending campuses.

The College is implementing the use of a digital, proof-of-vaccination feature within the Algonquin College Mobile Safety App – which is already being used for COVID-19 self-screening purposes. Information on how to download the app is available here; the app’s proof of vaccination feature will be available Wednesday, September 1. If you already have the app, you will be prompted on the screen to update your settings once the vaccine module is launched

Our Mandatory Vaccination Policy only applies to those attending in-person activities. If you are studying or working remotely, and not planning to attend campus, please do not use the App to submit proof of vaccination. The College does not require your proof of vaccination.

Individuals attending in-person activities are required to upload documentation confirming their vaccination status by September 7, 2021 or their first attendance at in-person activities on campus following September 7, 2021. Please allow three days for your submission to be reviewed. For those unable to submit proof of vaccination using the AC Mobile Safety App, a web-based version that follows the same steps is being developed. The link to the web-based version will be provided in our communications when the app launches.

Individuals who have only received a first dose of a regimen requiring two doses must upload their proof of partial vaccination by September 7, 2021. Their proof of full COVID-19 vaccination must be uploaded by October 12, 2021. After October 12, 2021 access to campuses will not be permitted unless proof of full vaccination has been uploaded. (Only those with a bona fide medical or other human rights-related exemption will be able to continue to utilize testing results to gain access to campuses after October 12, 2021; more information on how to apply for an exemption is below.)

The College has been continuing to strongly encourage everyone in our College community to become fully vaccinated. At this time, it is imperative that you become fully vaccinated to ensure your campus experience is not disrupted and to contribute to the safety of the entire College community at a time when we know that the fourth wave of the pandemic is underway and involves the much more contagious Delta variant. Details on vaccination opportunities in our campus communities can be found here. Please review information on approved Health Canada vaccines or World Health Organization (WHO) vaccines.

Additional policy details include:

  • Campus Access Procedures: Regardless of vaccination status, persons attending campuses are required to also continue to complete the COVID-19 self-screening at monitored entry points for each visit. All College health and safety policies (for Pembroke Campus, visit here) including mandatory indoor mask use and physical distancing also continue to remain in place for everyone on our campuses.

 

  • Exemption Requests: Those who have a bona fide exemption from becoming vaccinated, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, will be required to apply for exemption via either the app or web portal mentioned above. Further details on this process will be announced with the launch of the app. Those who qualify for exemption will be subject to alternate safety protocols that will include rapid testing requirements, training or other accommodation measures.

 

  • Vaccination Receipts: For proof of vaccination receipts in Ontario, follow the directions at this link under Ontario COVID-19 vaccination service. COVID-19 and vaccination-related requirements for International students can be found here through the Government of Canada. (The same documents utilized to provide proof of vaccination for the ArriveCan app can be used to upload to the Algonquin College Mobile Safety App.)

Please read the policy for additional details, including privacy procedures and specific information for individuals with a vaccination dose regimen that begins after September 7, 2021, and those who remain unvaccinated as a matter of personal preference as opposed to a validated exemption. Again, those without a validated exemption will no longer be able to access campus utilizing testing results after October 12.

We will continue to update the College community with additional information about our Mandatory Vaccination Policy as it becomes available. With your collaboration, this crucial healthy and safety tool will help us further protect the College community.

As always, stay safe everyone.

Sincerely,

Claude Brulé

President and CEO

Algonquin College

 

 

 


Comments

Comments are closed.