Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
In my Nov. 11 message, I shared information about the federal government’s plans to increase national vaccination rates. In September, President Biden signed an executive order requiring federal contractors to comply with guidance which requires any full-time or part-time employee working on or in connection with a covered federal contract, or working at a covered contractor workplace, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. UWM is considered a federal contractor due to our existing and pending federal research contracts and subcontracts.
We have clearly determined that UWM has contracts covered by the executive order. It is important to UWM’s mission that we not risk losing these federal investments, and there is a specific deadline with which we must comply. For these reasons we will require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
All UWM employees must receive their COVID-19 vaccine shots and provide proof of vaccination by Jan. 4, 2022 to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 18, 2022, subject only to medical or religious exemption. This includes student hourly employees. Employees should use this COVID-19 testing exception/vaccine reporting form no later than Jan. 4, 2022.
Instructions on how to submit vaccine information are provided below. Alternatively, any employee with questions about the requirement or needing help electronically submitting proof of vaccination is encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resources at HR-Covid19@uwm.edu or (414) 229-4463.
We are implementing this requirement to comply with federal law. UWM has not chosen this vaccine mandate for our employees. If there are any court rulings or other actions that modify the executive order, we will consider appropriate changes to this requirement.
The remainder of this message shares additional information about the vaccination requirement.
Thank you in advance for your patience, understanding and doing your part to keep us safe.
Best regards,
Mark A. Mone, PhD
Chancellor
Employees (including student hourly employees) who have not yet provided proof of vaccination will receive additional information via email. Employees (including student hourly employees) who have already provided proof of vaccination to UWM do not need to take any further action.
Who is required to be vaccinated?
All UW–Milwaukee employees, including student hourly employees.
The requirement applies regardless of:
– whether you are working in-person, remotely or in a hybrid status.
– whether you are working on the main Milwaukee campus or any other location.
– your employment type – faculty, emeritus with greater than zero-dollar
appointment, academic staff, university staff, limited appointee, temporary
employee, graduate assistant (teaching assistant, research assistant, lecturer
student assistant, project/program assistant), post-degree trainee (research
intern, research associate, postdoctoral fellow, postdoctoral trainee),
student-hourly employee.
– whether you are full-time or part-time.
– whether you work on a federal contract or not.
I was vaccinated – how do I share my record with UWM?
UWM employees must complete a form with proof of vaccination — either a copy of your vaccination card or a copy of your vaccination record from the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.
If you click on the form, you will see a red alert if your vaccination information is not on file. If you click on vaccination verification, a form will pop up that you can use to upload your information.
How can I get vaccinated?
You may receive any of the FDA-authorized vaccines: Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer. All are available at no cost to you. We continue to offer vaccine clinics at the Milwaukee campus. Vaccines are also widely available at local pharmacies and clinics. Please visit vaccines.gov to find a nearby provider.
I received a vaccine that is not on the list of vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization. Do I need to get a different vaccine?
Yes. You must be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine by Jan. 4, 2022. You can get vaccinated at a UWM clinic, talk to your health care provider, or visit vaccines.gov.
When do I need to receive my dose(s) in order to be fully vaccinated no later than Jan. 18, 2022.
You are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after you receive a one-dose vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose vaccine series.
- If you receive Johnson & Johnson, you must receive your shot by Jan. 4, 2022.
- If you receive Moderna, you must receive your first shot by Dec. 7 and your second shot by Jan. 4, 2022.
- If you receive Pfizer, you must receive your first shot by Dec. 14 and your second shot by Jan. 4, 2022.
Can I get vaccinated on work time?
Yes. Employees shall be granted a reasonable amount of time during their normal work hours to complete required COVID-19 vaccination, including travel time. For hourly employees, this must be during their normal work hours. Salaried employees may be vaccinated either during their normal work hours or at other times; they will not receive additional compensation for the time spent getting vaccinated.
What if I experience side effects and am unable to work?
UWM provides a variety of paid leave options for faculty, academic staff, limited appointees and university staff when they are unable to work for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other employee categories are not eligible for paid leave, but may be eligible for unpaid leave, subject to supervisory approval. Please contact your HR business partner if you are unsure about your leave options.
How do I request a medical or religious exemption?
You may request a medical or religious exemption here. Anyone who receives an exemption may be required to comply with alternative health and safety protocols, such as regular COVID-19 testing.
Here is a preview of the questions you will be asked for a religious exemption.
I previously had COVID-19 – can I receive an accommodation?
No. Federal guidance on the executive order does not allow an exemption based on a prior COVID-19 infection.
What are the consequences for not being vaccinated as of Jan. 18, 2022?
Any employee who is not fully vaccinated or approved for an exemption by Jan. 18, 2022, will face disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, consistent with the terms of the federal mandate and applicable UWM disciplinary procedures.
Who do I contact with questions or concerns?
For information about this requirement as it relates to your employment, you should first contact your HR Business Partner. If you have questions about the vaccines, please contact the Milwaukee Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at (414) 286-6800.