The University wishes to thank the more than half of our faculty and non-classified staff for providing their proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

We want to remind those who haven’t submitted proof of vaccination that they must do so by Oct. 15, or request a medical or religious exemption. The portal to apply for an exemption is now open.

The vaccine mandate for all full- and part-time faculty and non-classified staff is part of our continuing efforts to protect the health and safety of the URI community and public health more broadly.

Faculty and non-classified staff who are licensed health providers are covered under the Rhode Island Department of Health requirement for immunization against COVID-19 (216-RICR-20-15-8), which requires health care workers to be vaccinated by Oct. 1.

The vaccines are widely available, safe, greatly limit transmission of the virus, and have been shown to dramatically reduce the chances of serious illness and/or death related to a COVID-19 infection. The University is holding free vaccination clinics for campus community members on its Kingston Campus through the end of September.

While this new vaccine mandate does not currently apply to classified employees, we are asking classified staff to voluntarily upload their COVID-19 vaccine certificates through the portal to help create and maintain a safe work environment. Anyone needing assistance uploading the vaccine information should contact URI Human Resource Administration, Paula Murray at 874-2417; Lori Carr at 874-2277 or Leslie Cronan at 874-2684.

Here are the instructions for uploading your proof of vaccination.

The faculty/staff vaccine mandate and voluntary initiative for classified employees come as URI nears completion of its very successful student vaccination campaign.

More than 99% of students are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or have an approved exemption. Of that group, 6% have an approved exemption and 93.5% are partially or fully vaccinated.

Vaccine requirements for all faculty and non-classified staff

Information about how faculty and staff can submit proof of vaccination is available from the Health Services website. Classified employees may follow the same process.

Exemptions

Faculty and staff who are not vaccinated may file a formal request for an exemption for documented medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observations. Those granted exemptions must participate in twice per week mandatory surveillance testing and stay physically distant from others. Most importantly, those who receive exemptions will be required to quarantine or isolate should they become exposed to or test positive for COVID-19. They will be required to stay home for the duration of the isolation/quarantine time.

Further information on exemption procedures will be forthcoming.

Acceptable vaccines

Please visit URI Health Services for additional details on vaccinations. The University reserves the right to modify this policy at any time in accordance with changing public health guidance or directives, best practices, and/or University needs.

Surveillance Testing Center

The University’s COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Center is now open in the Memorial Union. Health Services reminds those unvaccinated members of the campus community that they must get tested twice weekly and encourages those who have been vaccinated to participate in regular surveillance testing. The testing center is for those individuals who do not have symptoms.

Employees with symptoms are asked to stay home, and contact their supervisor. Symptomatic testing is available at the URI Health Services trailer in the Potter parking lot weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call Health Services in advance at 401-874-2246.

In addition, please remember that every employee is required to follow the University’s universal indoor masking regardless of their vaccination status.

Thank you for participating in this program and your commitment to keeping our community healthy and safe.