COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – Fall 2021

As we prepare for the Fall 2021 semester, Stevenson is requiring all new and returning students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to campus for the 2021-2022 academic year. This requirement applies to all undergraduate students, resident and commuter, as well as all Stevenson University Online undergraduate and graduate students who access and use campus facilities facilities and students in our Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program. Students will need to complete all required doses of their administered vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson) and submit record of their vaccination status to the Stevenson Wellness Center by July 16, 2021.

The following FAQ and Resources are organized to help address your questions as well as explain the process for submitting proof of your COVID full vaccination status by the July 16 deadline.

To assist students who still need to obtain the vaccine, we have posted helpful information and links under the “Vaccination Sites and Clinics” tab below. The University is also hosting a Summer Vaccination Clinic at the Owings Mills campus. Please see the information that follows.

May 25, 2021 – Stevenson Announces COVID Vaccine Required for All New and Returning Students

Vaccine Requirement and Deadline

Will the COVID vaccine be required of all Stevenson students for Fall 2021?

Yes, all undergraduate students, resident and commuter, as well as all Stevenson University Online undergraduate and graduate students who access and use campus facilities and students in our Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program, are required to complete all required doses of their administered vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson) and submit record of their vaccination status to the Stevenson Wellness Center by July 16, 2021.

Students should submit verification of their vaccination status through the confidential Wellness Center Student Patient Portal at https://stevenson.medicatconnect.com.

Please see the “Submitting Proof of Your Vaccination Status” tab for instructions.

Is vaccination required for commuter students or Stevenson University Online students?

Yes, all commuter students are required to vaccinate. This includes Stevenson University Online students who plan to access campus facilities for classes, study, research, or in-person meetings.

What is the deadline for submitting verification of my full vaccination?

You should plan to complete all required doses (second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine) by July 16, 2021, and submit verification of your full vaccination via the confidential Student Patient Portal at https://stevenson.medicatconnect.com no later than this date.

Please see the “Submitting Proof of Your Vaccination Status” tab for instructions.

What should I do if I am already fully vaccinated?

If you are already fully vaccinated and have submitted your status voluntarily to the Wellness Center via the Student Patient Portal, we have record of your status and you do not need to resubmit your documentation

If you are already fully vaccinated but have not submitted verification via the Student Patient Portal, we ask that you please submit your verification immediately and no later than July 16.

Please see the “Submitting Proof of Your Vaccination Status” tab for instructions.

I am an international student. What steps do I need to take to comply with the vaccine requirement?

Stevenson understands that our international students will need guidance to comply with the vaccine requirement based on the access to vaccines in their home countries and travel plans and schedules for their return to the United States.

For assistance, international students should contact Carol McDaniel, Senior Associate Director of Admissions and PDSO-International Students, at 443-352-4421 or cmcdaniel@stevenson.edu.

What should I do if have been recently diagnosed as COVID positive or have had COVID symptoms? Will this delay my ability to get the vaccine and possibly cause me to miss the July 16 deadline?

If you have been recently diagnosed with COVID or had COVID symptoms, please contact your physician and the Stevenson Wellness Center at wellness@stevenson.edu or 443-352-4200 for guidance about when you can receive that vaccine.
Submitting Proof of Your Vaccination Status
How do I submit proof of my vaccination?

Students should submit verification of their vaccination by July 16, 2021 via the confidential Student Patient Portal at https://stevenson.medicatconnect.com via the following process:
1. Log on Student Patient Portal at https://stevenson.medicatconnect.com.
2. Select “Upload” tab.
3. Select “COVID-19 Vaccination Immunization Record” from the drop-down box.
4. Select your file to upload. This file should be your proof of vaccination. For individuals vaccinated in the U.S., the CDC-issued vaccination card is an acceptable document for proof of vaccination.
5. Select “Upload.”
6. Confirmation of your upload will be shown under your “Documents Already on File.”
What document constitutes verification of my vaccination status?

For individuals vaccinated in the U.S., the CDC-issued vaccination card is an acceptable document for proof of vaccination. You should make sure your name and date of birth are on this document, and you should scan and save a copy for uploading to the Student Patient Portal by July 16. When you upload it, you are attesting that the information you are providing Stevenson about your vaccination status is accurate and true.

I am an international student. What steps do I need to take to comply with the vaccine requirement?

Stevenson understands that our international students will need guidance to comply with the vaccine requirement based on the access to vaccines in their home countries and travel plans and schedules for their return to the United States.

For assistance, international students should contact Carol McDaniel, Senior Associate Director of Admissions and PDSO-International Students, at 443-352-4421 or cmcdaniel@stevenson.edu.
Exemption Requests
Can I request an exemption from the University’s COVID vaccination requirement?

Yes, medical and religious exemptions will be considered based on medical contraindications or sincerely held religious beliefs. A medical exemption request must include a certification from a board-certified physician or other healthcare provider from whom you are currently receiving care explaining the reason for the request.

Please follow the process outlined under “How do I request a medical or religious exemption?” below.

Students who are granted an exemption may be subject to re-entry and surveillance testing during the Fall semester and will need to follow quarantine and isolation protocols in the event of being identified a close contact or if testing positive for COVID.

For more details, please see “Do exempt students still need to test, quarantine, or isolate if positive for COVID?” below.

How do I request a medical or religious exemption?

If you would like to request a medical or religious exemption from the COVID vaccine, you will need to log on to the confidential Student Patient Portal and follow the process below:
1. Log on Wellness Center Student Patient Portal at https://stevenson.medicatconnect.com.
2. Download the “Request for Medical Exemption Form” or “Request for Religious Exemption Form” located under the “Forms” tab.
3. Read, complete, and sign the forms per the instructions. All forms must be completed correctly and signed in order to review your request.
4. Upload the forms by logging on to the Wellness Center Student Patient Portal and selecting “COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption/Assumption of Risk Forms” from the drop-down box, then selecting “Upload.”
5. Confirmation of your uploaded documents will be shown under “Documents Already on File.”
When the decision about a medical exemption request is made, the student will receive notification from the Wellness Center and a copy of the “Assumption of Risk Regarding Exemption or Declination of Required COVID-19 Vaccination” form to sign and upload via the Student Patient Portal.

When the decision about a religious exemption request is made, the student will receive notification from the Wellness Center and a copy of the “Assumption of Risk Regarding Exemption or Declination of Required COVID-19 Vaccination” form to sign and upload via the Student Patient Portal.

What is the deadline for medical or religious exemption requests?

Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be submitted by July 1, 2021.

Do exempt students still need to test, quarantine, or isolate if positive for COVID?

Students who are granted an exemption may be subject to re-entry and surveillance testing during the Fall semester and will need to follow quarantine and isolation protocols in the event of being identified a close contact or if testing positive for COVID.

All students, including exempt students, who are experiencing COVID symptoms will need to contact the Wellness Center at 443-352-4200 or wellness@stevenson.edu for assistance. Students experiencing COVID symptoms will be required to complete the Student Symptom Tracker daily, receive a COVID test, and, if positive, isolate for 10 days per current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Limited isolation space will be available on campus, and students should plan to complete their isolation protocol at home.

Please note that since the University is returning to in-person classes in the Fall, options for accessing classes virtually will be limited, and students who need to quarantine or isolate will need to make arrangements with their professors to make up any work they might miss.
Vaccine Safety and Benefits
Why should I be vaccinated?

The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have demonstrated their safety and effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 altogether or limiting its symptoms, and will be essential as we prepare for Stevenson’s full return to in-person classes, residence life, student activities, and athletics in the Fall. They also help protect your family, friends, and community.

Are the COVID vaccines safe?

The CDC has posted information and helpful resources on the safety and benefits of being vaccinated against COVID. Links to some of these resources are posted below. We encourage you to review this information to learn more.

CDC Vaccine Information Resources
Will I still need to test for COVID or quarantine if I am fully vaccinated?

As previously announced this Spring, fully-vaccinated students who do not have COVID-like symptoms will be exempt from University testing as well as quarantine requirements if they are exposed to someone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. In short, this means fully-vaccinated students will be exempt from:
- quarantine if they are identified a close contact
- re-entry testing for the Fall semester
- the surveillance testing program
Please note that at this time all fully-vaccinated student-athletes with no COVID-like symptoms who become close contacts are also exempt from quarantine, but will still be subject to applicable, NCAA, MAC, and Stevenson athletic testing policies.

Is the COVID vaccine required for Stevenson faculty and staff?

The University has not required vaccination for SU employees but does strongly encourage COVID vaccinations for all employees. As of July 12, 90% of full-time faculty and staff are fully vaccinated, and the number of vaccinated employees is steadily climbing.
Campus Life and the Student Experience
How will vaccinations enhance the student experience on campus?

Stevenson is planning a full return to in-person classes, student activities and events, and athletics in the Fall. As the number of fully-vaccinated individuals increases, it will help to decrease the risk of COVID infections and transmissions in the University community, making it safer to return to the activities that provide an enriching campus experience for our students.

Will I be able to have guests and visitors in my room?

This Fall, we expect to return to the standard Guest and Visitor Policy that will permit students to have guests and visitors in their rooms.

Will I still need to test for COVID or quarantine if I am fully-vaccinated?

As previously announced this Spring, fully-vaccinated students who do not have COVID-like symptoms will be exempt from University testing as well as quarantine requirements if they are exposed to someone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. In short, this means fully-vaccinated students will be exempt from:
- quarantine if they are identified a close contact
- re-entry testing for the Fall semester
- the surveillance testing program
Please note that at this time all fully-vaccinated student-athletes with no COVID-like symptoms who become close contacts are also exempt from quarantine, but will still be subject to applicable, NCAA, MAC, and Stevenson athletic testing policies.

What happens if I am fully vaccinated but experience COVID symptoms or test positive for COVID?

Fully-vaccinated students who are experiencing COVID symptoms should immediately contact the Wellness Center at 443-352-4200 or wellness@stevenson.edu for assistance. Students experiencing COVID symptoms will be required to complete the Student Symptom Tracker daily, receive a COVID test, and, if positive, isolate for 10 days per current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Limited isolation space will be available on campus, and students should plan to complete their isolation protocol at home.

Will I still need to comply with COVID health and safety protocols on campus?

Yes. All students, faculty, and staff are required to follow COVID health and safety protocols, (such as masking indoors or physical distancing) that are implemented on campus under the guidance of public health authorities. As noted above, students who are fully vaccinated will not have to undergo re-entry testing, surveillance testing, or quarantine if they are a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID.
Vaccination Sites and Clinics
Where can I be vaccinated?

COVID vaccines are now widely available at both Maryland-designated mass vaccinations sites around the state as well as at many local community providers such as pharmacies, hospitals, and other health clinics. Many of these sites are offering walk-up vaccinations with no appointment necessary, and the vaccine is free to everyone at this time.

Maryland Vaccination Locations

The State of Maryland has established a website at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine to help you find mass vaccination sites or local clinics, pharmacies, or healthcare providers in your area offering appointments or walk-ups for COVID vaccinations.

LifeBridge Health Vaccinations

Stevenson students can register for appointments through LifeBridge Health. The vaccinations are free of charge. LifeBridge’s clinic is just 15 minutes from the Owings Mills campus at Northwest Hospital-Old Court Center, 5400 Old Court Road, Randallstown, MD 21133. Click here for directions.

Follow the steps below to register for an appointment at LifeBridge:
- Visit www.lifebridgehealth.org and use the red bar at the top of the page to access their scheduling form.
- When registering, be sure to enter “Stevenson University” in the “Employer” box on the LifeBridge form, even if you are an SU student. Once processed, you will receive an email with a link to select a time for your vaccine.
Questions?

If you should have further questions about the Stevenson vaccination requirement, please contact the Stevenson Wellness Center at wellness@stevenson.edu or 443-352-4200.