August 12, 2021
To All Members of the Carleton Community,
In light of the rising Delta variant and evolving public health advice, Carleton is implementing vaccination requirements for campus access for fall 2021. In order to be granted full access to campus, all members of the Carleton community—including all students, faculty, and staff— will be required to have received a full course of a Health Canada or World Health Organization approved vaccine, for at least 14 days.
Attestation of vaccination status will be mandatory. Individuals who cannot attest to being fully vaccinated will be required to undergo rapid testing in order to temporarily be allowed to access campus, and will be provided with information on vaccination and booking an appointment as rapidly as possible. These measures are in line with public health recommendations and consistent with policies being implemented by a growing number of Ontario universities including Toronto, Ottawa and Waterloo.
More detailed information on the implementation of the university’s vaccination requirements, including how to provide the mandatory attestation of vaccination, will be provided shortly. All personal information provided, including information regarding vaccination status, will be handled in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
These measures are critical as we work to create safe spaces for learning and working. Our plans will remain flexible as we assess the ever-changing risks presented by COVID-19 and as public health and government guidance changes over time. It is our shared responsibility to be vaccinated and we encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
Vaccination clinics will be held on campus in mid-August, early September and through October to assist individuals in getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The university’s vaccination requirements complement the extensive health and safety measures already in place and our existing return to campus plans. Units in phase 3 are prepared to return to campus to ensure we can provide face-to-face support for our students starting August 23. Existing health and safety protocols will remain in place including mask requirements, physical distancing, mandatory screening and enhanced cleaning protocols.
Courses that have been scheduled to be delivered in person and/or online will continue as planned, with all in person courses proceeding with physical distancing, masks and a cap of 60 students. As previously announced, vaccinations are required for all students in residence, music performance classes as well as for varsity athletics. Exemptions will be granted on grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. An Ambassador program is also being deployed across our facilities to help provide guidance on screening measures and to provide encouragement to the community to follow all public health regulations and restrictions.
We will continue to work closely with public health officials and will continue to adapt as their recommendations evolve. As always, we will be having ongoing discussions and consultations with internal stakeholders, including faculty and staff unions. The Return To Campus working group will be announcing a series of information sessions shortly. For more information regarding Carleton’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 website.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Blanchard
COVID-19 Lead
On Behalf of the COVID-19 Steering Committee
Thursday, August 12, 2021 in Coronavirus
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