Announcing a Vaccine Requirement for Faculty and Staff

June 17, 2021

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:

Earlier this spring, I announced that we would be requiring students to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine in advance of the fall semester. Today, after careful consideration and consultation, we are extending this mandate to include faculty and staff who will be on our campuses during the fall. This is a step that will help to protect our community and contribute to the national and global fight against COVID-19.

As part of our consultation process, we engaged the leadership of the Faculty Senate and Staff/AAP Advisory Council, academic and administrative leaders, our public health advisory group, and our Board of Directors. In these conversations, we heard how strongly our community is committed to our public health approach and the important role that vaccines play in contributing to the safety of our University and our broader communities.

Members of our staff may use COVID-19 paid leave to receive their vaccination and if they are experiencing any side effects. In addition, once they have provided proof of vaccination, staff will receive two additional days of paid time off which they can use by June 2022.

There are a number of factors that supported our decision. Vaccines are safe and effective. Evidence indicates that communities with widespread vaccination rates are significantly more protected against the virus—protection that supports not only those who receive vaccination, but also those who may be immunocompromised and those who may not be able to receive vaccination. Vaccines are readily available in the United States, and we have free vaccine appointments on campus for members of our community. I share some additional context about these factors and our decision in my weekly video presentation.

Faculty and staff who will be on campus this fall must be fully vaccinated by Monday, August 9. For details about how this mandate will be implemented and how to upload your vaccination information, we have prepared a COVID-19 Vaccines webpage with additional information and frequently asked questions. Medical and religious exemptions will be granted in accordance with federal and local law.

I am grateful to all of you for your continued efforts as we work together to protect our community against COVID-19.

Sincerely,

John J. DeGioia