Policies

Staff and Faculty COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Revised: Nov. 14, 2022

Purpose

In accordance with the California Institute of the Arts’ duty to provide and maintain a safe and healthful workplace, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our faculty, staff, students, their families, and the community at large from COVID-19. This policy will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, taking into account applicable guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health departments.

General Information

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted higher education for faculty, staff, and students. The health and safety of the entire CalArts community continue to be a priority. The COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us return to in-person education. COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19 by helping you create an antibody (immune system) response. Clinical trials of all vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, must first show they are safe and effective before any vaccine can be authorized or approved for use. Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases and early data from clinical trials, experts believe that the COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by building immunity without the risk of severe illness. Common side effects are normal signs that the body is building protection. These side effects may affect the ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects. Additional preventive tools remain important to limit the spread of COVID-19. For current information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the CDC’s webpage on Getting Your Vaccine.

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of this vaccination before they can work on campus.  Additionally, all employees are required to receive their COVID-19 booster six months after receiving the final dose of the original vaccination, whichever is later.  However, employees who receive the J&J vaccine are required to receive their booster two months after the initial dose.

CalArts regards an employee’s vaccination and booster information as confidential and as such employees should only submit proof of their vaccination and booster via this secure link: Vaccination and Booster Documentation Submission

Employees who require an exemption from the vaccination or booster because of a medical or religious reason can submit their exemption request at this secure link: Vaccination and Booster Exemption Request Submission

Staff and Faculty COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Revised Nov. 14, 2022

For more information on requesting an exemption under this policy, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@calarts.edu.  Accommodations may include continued physical distancing, regular testing, and/or a requirement to continue wearing a mask.

Employees who do not meet one of these requirements will be placed on unpaid leave status for a maximum length of four (4 weeks).  An employee will be eligible to return to work by meeting the following vaccination, booster, or exemption compliance criteria:

1. Before returning to campus, the first vaccine or booster dosage has been completed & proof of vaccination or booster has been submitted.
2. Before returning to campus, the second vaccination or booster dosage (if applicable) has been scheduled and proof of the scheduled appointment is a submitted
3. The employee must complete the second vaccination or booster dosage (if applicable) by the scheduled date indicated on the submitted documentation, OR
4. Request and obtain approval  for a medical or religious exemption
5. The employee must provide written acknowledgment that until they are fully vaccinated or boosted, they will follow the same guidelines as employees with vaccination exemption which is inclusive of but not limited to wearing a mask, social distancing, and completing weekly PCR COVID-testing.  They will also acknowledge that the failure to comply with this requirement will result in them being placed back on unpaid leave status.

Proof of vaccination, booster, or scheduled appointments should only be submitted using the secure link for the Vaccination and Booster Documentation. Alternatively, requests for approval of a medical or religious exemption should be submitted using the secure link for exemption requests.]

The employment status of employees on unpaid leave for four (4) weeks who do not utilize one of the return to work options will be changed to voluntary separation.

At this time, CalArts staff and faculty may receive COVID-19 vaccinations on campus at no cost on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm just outside of CalArts' main entrance. In the event this changes, to assist in the vaccination process, CalArts will reimburse an employee for the cost (if any) of their COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccinations should be run through the employee’s health insurance where applicable and submitted for reimbursement. Employees are to work with their managers to schedule an appropriate time if the vaccination appointment(s) must be made during normal work hours. Employees who require time off to obtain vaccines or in the event that they have side effects from the vaccine are eligible for up to 80 hours of paid sick leave under the COVID-19 Supplemental Sick Leave until June 30, 2023. For more information on this supplemental sick leave, employees should contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@calarts.edu.

This policy will be updated as more information becomes available regarding additional vaccinations or vaccination booster shots.

Regardless of vaccination status, all employees will continue to be required to adhere to all CalArts COVID-19 safety procedures while onsite or while working outside their homes in accordance with CDC and local and state orders, regulations, guidance, and/or directives.

Please direct any questions regarding this policy to the Office of Human Resources.