The University of California’s systemwide mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy takes effect at UC Santa Cruz tomorrow, Sept. 9. The policy, which aims to protect the health of all members of our community as well as the general public as we transition from remote work and instruction back to campus, requires that all university employees must submit documentation that they are fully vaccinated or have filed a request for an exception by tomorrow. Employees who have not taken these steps will be considered non-compliant on Sept. 10.
As of today, we have reached an employee compliance level of about 71%. Our compliance percentage reflects all those who are fully vaccinated plus those who have an approved exception or an exception request pending. While our compliance percentage has risen steadily during the past few weeks, we are still short of our goal of full compliance.
We want all in our campus community to fully understand the consequences of non-compliance. Employees who remain non-compliant will receive three notices, the first on Sept. 10. These notices will reiterate the information non-compliant employees need to comply. Non-compliant employees will not be immediately barred from campus. However, as a condition of being allowed on campus while they become compliant, they must immediately take steps to become compliant and comply with all non-pharmaceutical interventions including participating in asymptomatic COVID-19 testing at least every four days, wearing masks in all indoor public spaces, and completing the daily symptom checker.
In October, we will transition from the notice phase to progressive discipline, up to and including termination of employment. We expect terminations to be few in number. However, as a campus and as part of the University of California system, we have taken a firm position that vaccinations (with limited exceptions) are the best way to advance the health and well-being of our community and support our educational and research mission.
Compliance and any potential disciplinary actions will be the responsibility of supervisors and managers. Our legal, Staff Human Resources and Academic Personnel offices will collaboratively support and guide supervisors and managers (including Deans and department chairs, as applicable) through any appropriate disciplinary process.
All questions relating to vaccine compliance should be sent to SHRhelp@ucsc.edu .
Thank you all for doing your part to support the health and well-being of our university community.
