POLICY
Who is required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
All Converse students, faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees members are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 if they attend class, work or engage in other activities at a Converse facility for any length of time, unless an approved exemption is on file.
Individuals can upload proof of vaccination to Converse’s secure portal
Employees: This applies to all employees except those who already have a fully remote work plan on file within Human Resources.
Students: This applies to all students except those enrolled exclusively in fully online programs and coursework and who will not access University facilities on any campus in person.
I am an employee working remotely, does this policy apply to me?
This policy applies to any employee with an on-campus presence or who is participating in in-person University activities. The policy does not apply to employees who work entirely remote or who do not access University facilities on any campus in person. Record of remote work plans must already be approved by the supervisor and on file with Human Resources.
I am a student taking only online classes, does this policy apply to me?
This policy applies to any student with an on-campus presence or who is participating in in-person University activities. The policy does not apply to students enrolled exclusively in fully online programs and coursework who will not access University facilities on any campus in person.
What if I’m not fully vaccinated?
On February 1, 2022, Converse began enforcing penalties for those found to not be in compliance with this requirement. Measures may include exclusion from co-curricular activities and health surcharges for both students and employees. Penalties may be revoked as individuals come into compliance.
Students who have outstanding fines will get a hold placed on their registration and academic records. This includes a hold on transcript requests. These holds will remain in place until the fine is paid.
Once I am vaccinated, do I still have to wear a mask?
Converse’s currently masking policy applies regardless of vaccination status. Proper face coverings must be worn in the following spaces:
- Instructional spaces during in-person classes
- Healthcare facilities including the Wellness Center and testing sites,
- Certain offices, departments or labs may still require face coverings depending on the work space needs
Masks are not required indoors at non-instructional university facilities including the dining hall, residence halls, offices and when moving through other buildings on campus. Some university events may still require masks which will be communicated by event organizers.
All current health protocols can be found on the Converse Campus Guidelines webpage.
Converse has a Non-Discrimination / Non-Retaliation Policy. How does this apply to the COVID-19 vaccination requirements?
Under the protection of EEO laws, Converse does not discriminate against its employees (or applicants) with regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability and genetic information (including family medical history), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Converse also accommodates disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs to the extent required by law, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship upon Converse and/or be a direct risk to the health and safety of others.
COVID-19 vaccination exemption requests are reviewed on a case by case basis and in the event that the request is denied, Converse employees are protected against retaliation.
If you believe that you have been treated in a manner not in accordance with this policy, please notify Human Resources immediately.
Are volunteers, campus visitors, contractors and guests required to be vaccinated?
The vaccine requirement does not apply to volunteers, campus visitors, guests, and most contractors but Converse does strongly encourage that everyone is vaccinated against COVID-19 or test weekly. Separate protocols have been put in place for contractors that have a routine, daily presence on our campus. Everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, is required to adhere to campus protocols on all Converse campuses.
VACCINATION DOCUMENTATION
What constitutes official proof of vaccination?
All employees must provide official documentation of vaccination that includes the name of the vaccine received and the date(s) vaccinated. This documentation may include the CDC Vaccination Card received from the provider who administered the vaccine, World Health Organization Yellow Book, or official documentation from a medical provider.
Anyone who submits false or inaccurate information during the verification process will be subject to disciplinary action that can include dismissal from the University.
How can I upload my vaccination card?
Students and employees can access the confidential COVID-19 Vaccination Portal by logging into my.converse. The form will ask a few short questions and ask you to upload a PDF or image of your vaccination record.
If you don’t have a scanner, simply take a picture of your vaccination card and save as an image in one of the following formats – .png, .jpg, .jpeg, or .pdf.
If you are still having trouble, please contact the Wellness Center for further assistance.
Does Converse require the third dose or booster?
Converse encourages those who are eligible to receive a third dose or “booster” of the COVID-19 vaccine to increase protection against the virus. While it is not required at this time, Converse does ask for those who have received this third dose to upload documentation within the same confidential COVID-19 Vaccination Portal, selecting “Third Dose/Booster”.
Who sees the vaccination information I upload, and how will that information be used?
Information you upload as proof of vaccination is considered confidential and will only be reviewed by professional staff in the Converse Wellness Center and Accessibility Services. Individual vaccination data will be used only if needed for compliance measures and for public health purposes such as contact tracing.
How can I check to make sure Converse has a record of my vaccination?
To verify that your vaccination record has been successfully uploaded, log into my.converse and then select the View My Vaccination Proof Submission. Here, you will be able to see all submissions as well as view a copy of your uploaded vaccination record.
What types of vaccinations are acceptable?
Converse currently recognizes the following vaccines under this policy:
- Pfizer (two dose)
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (one dose)
- Vaccines currently approved under a WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL)
- Moderna (two dose)
COMPLIANCE AND EXEMPTIONS
What exemptions are allowed under this policy?
Students, faculty, and staff can apply for an exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons.
- Current students click here to apply for an exemption.
- Employees click here to apply for an exemption.
I have been approved for an exemption. What can I expect?
Those students and employees who are granted a reasonable accommodation for medical or religious reasons may not be subject to penalties but may be asked to follow additional health measures such as but not limited to surveillance testing, and adherence to isolation and quarantine measures as recommended by contact tracing staff. Specific instructions will be provided by email.
I’ve received antibody testing, which shows that I have antibodies to COVID-19. Can I submit these test results instead of being vaccinated or requesting an exemption?
The CDC, FDA, and South Carolina DHEC do not recommend using antibody testing for the purposes of determining whether or not a person needs to quarantine. As such, Converse is unable to accept antibody test results to fulfill these requirements.
Antibody testing can indicate if a person has been previously exposed to SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In some cases, it can even measure a person’s level of antibodies. However, these tests cannot confirm that a person has the level of immunity required to prevent or reduce the severity of another COVID infection.
Can I use the Wellness Center to get the needed health provider attestation for my exemption request?
No. In order to continue to accommodate the demand for medical services, the nurse practitioner at the Wellness Center will not be able to sign exemption forms.
I’ve received antibody testing, which shows that I have antibodies to COVID-19. Can I submit these test results instead of being vaccinated or requesting an exemption?
The CDC, FDA, and South Carolina DHEC do not recommend using antibody testing for the purposes of determining whether or not a person needs to quarantine. As such, Converse is unable to accept antibody test results to fulfill these requirements.
Why has Converse decided to require COVID-19 vaccines for its students and employees?
The health and safety of our campus is our top priority. Being vaccinated provides our campus with a greater chance of slowing down the spread of COVID-19 across our campus and significantly reducing the chance of a COVID-19 outbreak at Converse.
I am planning to travel during the semester on a study abroad trip. Will exemptions be allowed?
All students and faculty planning to attend a Converse sponsored travel (domestic or international) will be required to have documentation of full vaccination on file before you are able to depart for the trip. Exemption waivers will not be allowed for these individuals to protect the health of the traveler.
Travelers will also be required to submit wellness plans should they fall ill while traveling and may be asked to take additional health precautions before, during, and following the trip. All travel is subject to additional requirements that may be enforced by airlines, country of destination and other third parties. Consult with your faculty advisor for more details.
ACCESS TO VACCINATION AND TESTING
Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Converse hosts onsite free vaccination clinics throughout the semester. Check the Testing and Vaccination Schedule for dates and details. Scheduling is strongly encouraged to reserve your spot but walk-ins are welcome.
Also, you can use DHEC’s Vax Locator or Vaccines.gov to find a nearby vaccination provider.
Do I have to be tested during the term for COVID-19?
The CDC recommends that individuals who are unvaccinated should be tested weekly. At this time, this is highly encouraged but not required. As we continue to monitor conditions and our ability to continue operating safely during this pandemic, this may change. Athletes may be required to test more frequently in order to comply with NCAA guidelines and should consult with their coach for specific requirements related to their sport(s).
Converse continues to partner with local healthcare providers to offer on-campus testing. Check the Testing and Vaccination Schedule for dates and details or find another provider by using the DHEC Testing Location tool.