Vaccination Mandate - Concordia University of Edmonton

Enhanced measures and requirements to protect our campus community from COVID-19

Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) is requiring that its students, faculty, academic colleagues, staff, contractors, and volunteers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect the health and safety of our campus community. Please review the information below in detail and check back regularly, as this webpage will be updated with important information and processes on an ongoing basis.

Classes are being held online until October 3, 2021, and campus community members are now able to submit their proof of vaccination. Members of the CUE community should avoid attending campus during this period unless their visit is absolutely essential. If you need to attend campus for any reason during this period, please ensure you are following all COVID-19 protocols (including wearing a non-medical face mask and adhering to physical distancing requirements) or you will be asked to leave immediately. Please note that residence will remain open and Concordia Thunder programs can continue, as all students living in residence and participating in athletics have already provided proof of vaccination or been approved for an authorized accommodation.

CUE’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy has been approved by the President’s Executive Council and our vaccination requirements will come into effect on October 4, 2021. The policy builds upon measures already announced in our Return to Campus Plan, including a mask mandate for all indoor public areas on campus. Members of the CUE community who do not comply with the policy are prohibited from attending campus. Those who attend campus and are not in compliance with the policy will be asked to leave immediately.

Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19, and implementing our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy will allow us to return to in-person learning while keeping our community heathy and safe.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PROOF OF VACCINATION

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Frequently Asked Questions

I thought post-secondary institutions were exempt from the Government of Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program. Why is CUE taking action?

Following the Government of Alberta’s announcement on September 15, 2021, post-secondary institutions were informed that they were considered in-scope businesses, meaning the Restrictions Exemption Program was applicable. However, on September 19, 2021, the Chief Medical Officer of Health signed a new Public Health Order outlining specific exemptions to the current COVID-19 restrictions that apply to the post-secondary sector.

While the Restrictions Exemption Program does not apply to post-secondary institutions, there is a requirement to have a proof of vaccination policy in order for CUE to be exempt from certain restrictions, including maintaining two metres of physical distance from all other persons while in a learning environment (classrooms, lecture halls, research facilities, laboratories, etc.). Additionally, municipalities and businesses are able to impose restrictions according to their own bylaws and requirements. In light of this, and based on CUE’s determination of appropriate measures that would apply regardless of government requirements, we are implementing a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and related restrictions to protect our community and support effective in-person learning wherever possible.

What are the requirements?

The detailed policy can be found here. Please ensure you have read, understand, and are in compliance with the policy before attending campus.

The following overview summarizes important elements of the policy:

Beginning October 4, 2021, individuals (including students, faculty, academic colleagues, staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors) may not attend campus unless they have provided proof that they are fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Those who are partially vaccinated must have received their first dose at least two weeks prior to attending campus (dose received on September 20, 2021 or earlier).
- Those who are partially vaccinated but received their first dose less than two weeks prior to attending campus (dose received after September 20, 2021) must provide proof of a negative PCR or rapid test until the 14-day waiting period has passed. To be considered valid, tests must be from within 72 hours before attending campus. This means if you are attending campus five times per week, you will need to provide two or three negative tests per week until the waiting period has passed.
Beginning October 25, 2021, individuals (including students, faculty, academic colleagues, staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors) may not attend campus unless they have provided proof that they have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
- Those who are fully vaccinated but received their second dose less than two weeks prior to attending campus on October 25 (dose received after October 11, 2021) must provide proof of a negative PCR or rapid test until the 14-day waiting period has passed. To be considered valid, tests must be from within 72 hours before attending campus. This means if you are attending campus five times per week, you will need to provide two or three negative tests per week until the waiting period has passed.
- After November 7, rapid testing will no longer be an option except if it is part of an approved request for human rights-based accommodation.
Individuals may request an accommodation based on medical or other protected grounds outlined in the Alberta Human Rights Act.
- Requests for accommodations can be made using the same platform where CUE community members declare their vaccination status. To request an accommodation, click here.
- Student accommodation requests will be reviewed by Student Life and Learning. Requests from faculty, academic colleagues, staff, contractors, and volunteers will be reviewed by Human Resources and, to the extent necessary, Administration.
- Personal preference will not be considered as grounds for an exemption and requests citing personal preference will be declined.
Individuals requiring PCR or rapid tests must locate, purchase, and provide them at their own cost unless such testing is part of an approved request for human rights-based accommodation. Tests from Alberta Health Services or Alberta Precision Laboratories are not acceptable.

When will I be considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

Members of the CUE community are considered to be fully vaccinated 14 days after they have received the recommended number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization. Please note that individuals will be required to maintain the recommended number and type of vaccine doses as updated and required by Health Canada.

Why are we implementing a vaccination mandate?

Throughout the pandemic, we have made difficult decisions, and responded to the changing needs and circumstances of our campus community. This mandate is a reasonable step to ensure we can deliver programs and other activities in person while protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty, academic colleagues, staff, contractors, and volunteers.

What is considered “Proof of Vaccination”?

Individuals can establish their vaccination status using electronic or paper records of their vaccination receipt. In Alberta, official vaccine records are available on MyHealth Records. Please note that the collection of the information is in full accordance with all laws including privacy regulations. Once available from the Government of Alberta, we expect to be transitioning to a QR code or similar system at CUE.

Where do we submit our proof of vaccination?

To submit your proof of vaccination or request an exemption, click here.

How will you know that I am vaccinated/unvaccinated?

After your proof of vaccination is submitted using the online portal and reviewed, an appropriate label will be stored on your record. When you arrive on campus, you will need to swipe your CUE ID card, which will let us know that you have met the requirements for attendance. If you do not have a CUE ID card, we would encourage you to arrange a time to safely pick one up on campus prior to October 4, 2021. Students can arrange a time to pick up their CUE ID by emailing the Registrar’s Office. Faculty, academic colleagues, staff, contractors, and volunteers can arrange a time to pick up their CUE ID card by emailing Human Resources. Please note that, once available from the Government of Alberta, we expect to be transitioning to a QR code or similar system at CUE.

Where can I get vaccinated?

All Albertans aged 12+ can book a vaccine online, by calling 811, by visiting a walk-in clinic, or by contacting a doctor’s office. To book online, click here.

I am unable to get vaccinated. What should I do?

Students, faculty, academic colleagues, staff, contractors, and volunteers who cannot be vaccinated based on medical or other protected grounds outlined in the Alberta Human Rights Act can apply for an exemption and will be reasonably accommodated. It is important to note that unvaccinated campus community members may be subjected to additional or different restrictions. Personal preference or other reasons for not being able to comply with the policy that are not based on a protected ground in the Alberta Human Rights Act are not valid.

I received/will receive my first dose less than two weeks before campus reopens on October 4, 2021. What do I do?

In addition to providing proof of vaccination, you will need to provide proof of a negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours before attending campus until that two-week waiting period has elapsed (tests from Alberta Health Services or Alberta Precision Laboratories not acceptable as they are reserved for those presenting symptoms of COVID-19). Please note that it is your responsibility to locate, purchase, and provide the PCR or rapid test.

I will receive my second dose less than two weeks before October 25, 2021. What do I do?

In addition to providing proof of having had two doses of an approved vaccine, you will need to provide proof of a negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours before attending campus until that two-week waiting period has elapsed (tests from Alberta Health Services or Alberta Precision Laboratories not acceptable as they are reserved for those presenting symptoms of COVID-19). Rapid test results will cease to be accepted on November 7, 2021. Please note that it is your responsibility to locate, purchase, and provide the PCR or rapid test.

I am not getting vaccinated. What happens next?

Members of the CUE community who cannot establish that they have had two doses of an approved vaccine or who have not received an exemption based on a valid medical or other human rights-based accommodation before October 25, 2021, will not be permitted on campus. Students will be unable to enroll in courses or complete their studies at CUE. Faculty, academic colleagues, staff, contractors, and volunteers who choose to not get vaccinated and have not been approved for an accommodated exemption based on medical or other human rights grounds will be considered at CUE’s discretion for eligibility to work from home, and if they are not approved to work from home or fail to do so, they will be placed on a non-disciplinary leave without pay until such time as they provide proof of vaccination.

I am not getting vaccinated. Will virtual learning experiences be available?

No. We are operating under a state of public health emergency, and we must act to protect our community and keep our campus open. We are not an online university, and we do not have the capacity to offer both virtual and in-person learning experiences. If you choose to remain unvaccinated and do not receive an exemption based on a valid medical or human rights-based accommodation before October 25, 2021, you will not be able to complete your studies at CUE.

I am withdrawing as a student. What happens next?

Students can withdraw from CUE using the Online Course Selector. Students wishing to withdraw will be subjected to financial penalties, as detailed in the Academic Calendar.

I need support. Who can I contact?

This is a very difficult time and mental health supports are available. Students can access support through Student Life and Learning and employees can access support through Human Resources.

We all have a role to play in keeping our campus community safe, healthy, and open for in-person learning. We will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available, and we appreciate your continued patience and understanding.