EVP/COO Rachael Nava sent the following message to all UCOP employees on June 10, 2021.

Dear UCOP colleagues:

As campuses prepare for in-person instruction in the fall, and as we here at UCOP begin to move closer to returning to the office, I want to update you on the approach UC is taking regarding required COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty, staff and students.

For the past several weeks, President Drake has been consulting with chancellors, Academic Senate representatives, UC Health leaders and other university stakeholders on a draft COVID-19 vaccination policy, and we expect to issue a final policy along with systemwide implementation guidelines by July 15.

Although the policy is still being finalized, in order to give everyone as much time as possible to comply with it, I wanted to share with you the direction we are taking:

For the safety and well-being of the entire university community, the policy will require, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before they will be allowed on campus or in a facility or office.

Individuals will be required to show proof of vaccination, and UC locations are preparing for how they will record individual vaccination status.

For campuses, compliance with the policy will be required two weeks before faculty, staff and students are expected to be on campus for the fall term.

For UCOP staff, compliance with the policy will be required two weeks before you are expected to be onsite at any of our offices.

The policy will allow for narrow medical exemptions consistent with CDC guidance and manufacturer labeling on contraindications and precautions. As with other policies, and, in the case of employees as required by federal and California law, faculty, staff and students will also be eligible to request accommodations based on disability or religious belief.

Those with approved exemptions or accommodations may return to their location with the expectation that they will remain masked in all public settings, and comply with the local testing plan, which at a minimum may be weekly.

Employees who choose not to be vaccinated, and have no approved exemption, potentially put others at risk and may face disciplinary actions.

I will be back in touch within the next few weeks to share the final policy with you, as well as additional information about how we will implement it for UCOP locations.

Thank you for your partnership in helping to keep our community healthy.

Sincerely,
Rachael Nava
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Editor’s note: If you have questions regarding the vaccine policy, contact CovidVaccinePolicyComments@ucop.edu.

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