The Biden Administration recently announced a vaccination requirement for all organizations that receive federal funding through federal agency contracts or subcontracts. Because URI is the recipient of substantial federal funding, this mandate applies to all URI employees including student employees and classified employees.

The new mandate requires all employees to be fully vaccinated or obtain a medical or religious exemption by Dec. 8. Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an individual is fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. An individual must receive either the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or alternatively, the single shot of Johnson & Johnson by Nov. 24, and upload proof of such vaccine administration into the URI portal, or have received a disability/medical or religious exemption from URI by that date.  

In September, URI announced a vaccine mandate for faculty and non-classified staff, as well as a voluntary initiative for classified employees. At this time, all faculty and non-classified staff are in compliance, while 200 classified staff have participated voluntarily. These efforts come as URI nears completion of its very successful student vaccination campaign. Because of continued cooperation, URI continues to see limited transmission of COVID-19 in our community.

Vaccine requirements for all faculty and 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 outlined below.

Anyone needing assistance with their vaccine certificate should contact URI Human Resources, Paula Murray at 401-874-2417, or Leslie Cronan at 401-874-2684.

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. 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 regarding exemption procedures will be forthcoming.

Surveillance Testing Center

The University has opened its COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Center 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. In addition, please see details on universal indoor masking at URI.

Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping our community healthy and safe.