EMU Today

COVID-19 vaccine requirement for on-campus housing residents; Vaccine incentive program

To the Eastern Michigan University community:

The University has continually expressed its commitment to the health and safety of our campus and to evaluating guidance from local and state health agencies as we navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To reflect this rapidly-changing environment, the University is launching two important initiatives.

First, residents in University student housing facilities will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the fall semester.

Fortunately, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and free. Unfortunately, COVID-19 continues to spread and evolve, and individuals who live in congregate housing are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 because of their close living quarters. This policy -- which is outlined in more detail below -- is designed to reflect these important realities and incorporates guidance from our local health department.

Second, the University is launching the EMU “Get the Vax to Win” program in which students and employees who have received the COVID-19 vaccine will be entered into a drawing for prizes ranging from a free parking pass to a $5,000 credit to a student account. The details of this exciting program are below.

Student housing vaccine requirements

All students who live in the following student housing facilities during fall semester will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19: Best, Brown, Cornell, Downing, Hoyt, Munson, Phelps, Pittman, Putnam, Sellers, Village, Walton, Westview, Wise, and West Forest.

The deadline for students who live in these facilities to receive their final vaccination shot and verify their vaccination status through the University’s COVID Vax Certification system is Thursday, September 30, 2021. A person has received a final vaccination shot after receiving a second shot of a two-shot vaccination series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or a single shot of a one-shot vaccination series (e.g., Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

Students who live in on-campus housing have time to comply with this policy and, in doing so, help keep themselves and their fellow EMU Eagles safe. For example, a student who receives the first shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on September 2, 2021 (the fourth day of the fall semester) would receive their final shot on or about September 23, 2021 -- before the University’s deadline for on-campus housing residents to receive their final shot.

There are many opportunities available to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, including pop-up clinics that the University plans to schedule for late-August and early-September. You may learn more here about where to obtain a free COVID-19 vaccine.

Students who comply with the program will be eligible for the “Get the Vax to Win” incentive program outlined later in this email.

Students who live in University housing and need to request accommodation from vaccination due to medical reasons or a sincerely-held religious belief should may do so here.

All housing residents will still be required to submit proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test shortly before move-in. This policy reflects the fact that some residents may not be fully vaccinated when they move into campus housing. Residential housing students have received instructions for how to submit this information. Those with questions may email housing@emich.edu.

Students who live in University housing and do not comply with the policy by the deadline may be required to leave University housing.

The University has created a website dedicated to this program.

Vaccine incentive program

To encourage members of the campus community to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we are pleased to announce the EMU “Get the Vax to Win” program. Students and employees who receive the COVID-19 vaccination will be entered into drawings for various prizes ranging from a $100 bookstore gift card to a $5,000 credit on a student account.

EMU students registered for the fall 2021 semester (including those who live in on-campus housing and are required to be vaccinated), as well as most employees of the University, are eligible to win a prize if they (1) have received their final COVID-19 vaccination shot and (2) certify their vaccination status to the University.

A person has received a final COVID-19 vaccination shot after receiving a second shot of a two-shot vaccination series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or a single shot of a one-shot vaccination series (e.g., Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

To be eligible, you must certify that you have received your final vaccination shot here no later than Friday, October 8, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET. After certifying your vaccination information, you will be automatically entered in a drawing to receive one of the prizes.

Student prizes include:

• $5,000 credit to your student account (5 students will win)
• $1,000 credit to your student account (20 students will win)
• Google Pixelbook Go 13.3” computer (5 students will win)
• Free on-campus housing for one semester (10 students will win)
• Free on-campus parking permit for one semester (10 students will win)
• $100 gift card to the EMU Bookstore (20 students will win)
• $100 credit to be used at EMU Dining (50 students will win)

Employee prizes include a one-time payment ($500), Bookstore gift card, and credits to be used at EMU Dining facilities.

You may learn more about the new “Get the Vax to Win” program here.

Next steps

The University will continue to evaluate guidance from public health agencies and may adjust our policies in an effort to keep our campus community safe. Please continue to monitor your email for updates and, as always, please be safe and respectful of your fellow students and co-workers.

James Smith, Ph.D.