Resident Student Messages
July 16, 2021
Subject: Important Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Resident Students
Dear Seawolves,
From the onset of the pandemic, the safety of our campus community has been our top priority. In support of Stony Brook University’s commitment to health and safety, we are requiring all resident students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students planning to live on campus as a residential student in the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated.
The importance of an effective vaccination program in order to make our residential community safer for all cannot be overstated, especially since students who live together sharing common spaces are at a higher risk of infection. The benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination include prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. Broad immunization is critical to help stop the current pandemic and to protect our University community.
If you have already submitted proof of your COVID-19 vaccination to the Wolfie Health Portal you don't need to do anything further.
If you have not yet submitted proof of your COVID-19 vaccination, you are required to do so (or as noted below, submit a request for a medical or religious exemption) to the Wolfie Health Portal by August 1, 2021.
Partially Vaccinated Students:
If you are only partially vaccinated by August 1, you must submit your partial vaccination status by August 1, 2021 to the Wolfie Health Portal, and include the scheduled date of your second vaccination. For planning purposes, Pfizer requires a two-dose vaccination 21 days apart. Moderna requires a two-dose vaccination 28 days apart. J&J requires only one dose. If you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you must complete your second dose before you arrive on campus. Once you are fully vaccinated, you must submit your updated vaccination information to the Wolfie Health Portal.
International Students:
If you are an international student currently residing outside of the United States and have questions about acceptable COVID-19 vaccines, please review the FAQs on the Stronger Together website.
If you do not have access to any COVID-19 vaccine in your home country or cannot complete your vaccine series before you arrive in the United States, and are not requesting a religious or medical exemption (please see details below), we will offer you the vaccine for free upon your arrival to campus. You will be permitted to check into campus housing, but MUST complete this form by August 1, 2021, indicating that you agree to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on campus. Student Health Services will send a message to your Stony Brook email account with the dates and times when you will receive your COVID-19 vaccine. You will be required to participate in free on-campus COVID-19 testing twice per week until you are fully vaccinated. More information about campus testing will be shared with you upon your arrival.
Medical and Religious Exemptions:
You may request an exemption from the residential COVID-19 vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons. Exemption requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis; they are NOT automatically granted. If you are granted an exemption, you will be required to follow the guidelines for unvaccinated residential students (see below).
The COVID-19 vaccination exemption request forms are available on the Student Health Services website at https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/studentaffairs/shs/COVID-Vaccine_Exemptions.php.
Outcomes of requests will be communicated to you by secure messaging through the Wolfie Health Portal. Requests for exemptions must be written and signed by you if you are 18 years of age or older, or a parent or guardian if you are under the age of 18.
The deadline to submit a request for a medical or religious exemption is August 1, 2021.
Medical Exemptions:
If you are requesting an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for medical reasons, you are required to submit a statement from a licensed healthcare provider such as a Medical Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant identifying the medical contraindication and the time period for which the exemption is being requested. The document must be signed by the licensed healthcare provider and include the provider’s contact information.
Requests for consideration for a medical exemption must be submitted through the Wolfie Health Portal by August 1, 2021 utilizing the COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Exemption form.
Student Health Services medical staff will review exemption requests in the same manner as they do for other immunization exemption requests. Medical exemptions are reviewed annually.
Reasons for a medical exemption include:
- Documented history of severe allergic reaction to a component of each currently available COVID-19 vaccine.
- Documented history of severe or immediate-type hypersensitivity allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, and separate contraindication to other available formulations.
- Receiving immunosuppressive (weakens the immune system) treatment and advised by a medical provider to defer vaccination until a future date.
Examples of conditions that are NOT considered for a medical exemption include:
- History of COVID-19 infection or positive antibody screen is not considered a substitute for vaccination.
- History of severe allergic reactions to foods, latex, pets, insects, and environmental triggers.
- Fear of needles.
- History of vaccine side effects or general avoidance of vaccines.
Religious Exemptions:
If you hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs that are contrary to COVID-19 vaccination, you may request exemption from the vaccination requirement by submitting a written statement on the COVID-19 Vaccine Religious Exemption Request form to the Wolfie Health Portal by August 1, 2021. In your statement, please explain how receiving the COVID-19 vaccination conflicts with your sincere religious belief or practice. Student Health Services medical staff will review exemption requests in the same manner as they do for other immunization exemption requests.
Guidelines for Students Living on Campus who are Approved for an Exemption of the Vaccination Requirement:
If you are granted an exemption, you will still be able to live in on-campus housing; however, you are required to follow the guidelines for unvaccinated residential students:
Unvaccinated residential students are required to:
- Participate in mandatory COVID-19 surveillance testing twice a week.
- Maintain six feet of physical distance and wear a mask at all times when indoors except when in their residence hall room, suite, or apartment; or when eating meals on campus while seated.
Stony Brook University reserves the right to reassign exempted unvaccinated students from their current housing assignment.
Students with exemptions who fail to abide by Stony Brook’s COVID-19 Pandemic Health & Safety Policy will be subject to the student conduct process and possible removal from housing.
It is the responsibility of the student to schedule and complete testing twice weekly as long as they remain unvaccinated or are not yet fully vaccinated (less than two weeks post-completion of vaccination or vaccination series). It is also the responsibility of the student to notify Student Health Services if their vaccination status has changed.
If you have any questions about the exemption process, please contact Student Health Services at (631) 632-6740.
As you prepare to return to campus, please complete these requirements in a timely manner, as those who do not submit their proof of full vaccination and who have not applied for and received an exemption will not be permitted to move into the residence halls.
Thank you for keeping our campus community safe. We look forward to seeing you in the fall!
Sincerely,
Rick Gatteau, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs
Marisa Bisiani, DNP, ANP-BC
Assistant Vice President
Student Health, Wellness, and Prevention Services