COVID Protocols for Fall Semester

This web page has been established to share updates on COVID-19 and new requirements or guidance that the University receives from state and local health departments.

COVID-19 Updates and Communication

VACCINATION DATES AND DEADLINES

September 8, 2021

• September 7: If you have not yet submitted your vaccination documentation, please do so once you have completed the vaccination process. If you have already submitted your documentation, there is no need to submit it again. Exemption requests can be uploaded.
• October 4: Deadline to submit COVID-19 exemption requests; we anticipate reviewing all requests by October 29.
• December 17: Deadline to complete the vaccine sequence. For those having a two-dose vaccine, both doses must be received by this date; for those having a one-dose vaccine, that dose must be received by this date.
• January 3: Deadline to report completed vaccination to be enrolled or employed at the University.

COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Requests

Capital University is requiring all students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the beginning of spring semester 2022. (The COVID vaccine sequence must be completed by Dec. 17.) Limited exemptions to the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The University will review each request and make a determination. Granting an exemption is not guaranteed. We anticipate reviewing all requests by October 29 if the request is received by October 4.

If you are requesting an exemption to the COVID vaccination requirement, please complete each question and upload your exemption documentation (use a single file for your documentation). We thank you for your cooperation.

Documents

• COVID-19 Vaccine Policy (PDF)
• COVID Vaccine Medical Exemption Form (PDF)*
• COVID Vaccine Religious Exemption Form (PDF)*

Once you have completed your exemption form, please visit the COVID vaccine exemption upload form to submit the document.

REQUIRING COVID VACCINATIONS

August 27, 2021

With the rising number of cases and hospitalizations due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, Capital University has announced that it will mandate COVID vaccinations for all students, faculty, and staff.

As a result, all current students, faculty, and staff who will be enrolled or employed during spring semester 2022 are required to have completed the COVID vaccine shot sequence no later than Friday, December 17, 2021.

We believe vaccination is the safest and most effective way of protecting the health of the campus community. The decision was made with guidance from Franklin County Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the University’s own COVID Response Team. We also took into consideration the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s final approval of the Pfizer vaccine on August 23, 2021.

Requiring vaccinations will allow us to continue offering meaningful learning and living experiences that will contribute to our students’ success. 

Based on data, we know the Delta variant is highly contagious, and cases are increasing locally and nationally. While mask-wearing, frequent hand washing, surface sanitization, and social distancing provide extra protection, research shows that getting vaccinated is the most effective way of protecting yourself from hospitalization and death.

Thank you for doing your part to keep the Capital community safe during the continuing pandemic. We will update our COVID policies and plans as appropriate to meet the changing climate.

Please reach out to our COVID Response Team at COVIDResponse@capital.edu if you have questions or concerns.

Documents

• COVID-19 Vaccine Policy (PDF)
• COVID Vaccine Medical Exemption Form (PDF)*
• COVID Vaccine Religious Exemption Form (PDF)*

FAQs

What is the deadline for receiving the vaccine?

All current students, faculty, and staff who will be enrolled or employed during spring semester 2022 are required to have completed the COVID vaccine sequence no later than Friday, December 17, 2021.

I have concerns about the safety of the COVID vaccine. Where can I get more information?

Multiple studies have shown all of the available COVID vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Astra-Zeneca) are safe and effective. More information can be found here:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/safety-of-vaccines.html
• Johns Hopkins Medicine
  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/is-the-covid19-vaccine-safe
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid19-vaccines-and-people-of-color
• Mayo Clinic
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859
• Ohio Department of Health
  https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-program/COVID-19-vaccine-myths-vs-facts

Where can I get a vaccine?

Schedule an appointment at Bexley Urgent Care, located behind Brassica at College and Main: https://www.clockwisemd.com/hospitals/7325/visits/new.

Vaccines also are available at many Kroger, Giant Eagle, CVS, and Walgreen pharmacies. Check individual locations to determine whether appointments are necessary or walk-ins can be accommodated.

Dates for clinics in Franklin County can be found here:  https://vax2normal.org/vaccine/

We will share details for an on-campus vaccination clinic as soon as plans are finalized.

Do I have to pay for the COVID vaccination?

There is no out-of-pocket cost to receive any of the COVID vaccines, from any provider.

Are there exemptions to the vaccine requirement?

Limited exemptions to the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The University will review each request and make a determination quickly and fairly; granting an exemption is not guaranteed.

Exemption Forms
COVID Vaccine Medical Exemption Form (PDF)*
COVID Vaccine Religious Exemption Form (PDF)*
*More information regarding how to submit your medical or religious exemption forms will be available soon.

How do I prove that I have received the COVID vaccine?

Once you have been fully vaccinated, please submit your vaccination status and upload an image of your vaccine verification card using this link:
https://capital.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6FsT8L8BKqTMi8u.

If you do not have your vaccine card, you can submit written evidence of immunization from an authorized healthcare provider who provided the vaccine or a vaccination certificate from a state immunization registry.

Who will have access to my vaccination data?

This information will be kept confidential and only used to determine if you have complied with the University’s vaccination policy, to assist the COVID Response Team with contact tracing, to determine the need to quarantine when someone is exposed, to determine the need for COVID surveillance testing, and in the aggregate for planning.

Do I have to complete the Symptom Tracker every day?

You must fill out the Symptom Tracker each day to be eligible to participate in Capital classes or activities. Use this link to complete the Symptom Tracker or to have the link sent daily as a text message on your phone: https://capitalubts.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eFJDgSOhTzxIuEZ.

Do I still have to wear a mask if I am fully vaccinated?

Until further notice, everyone must continue to follow all University-required COVID health and safety protocols, including the University’s mask policy.

• Indoors: Masks must be worn by all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, while in public indoor spaces on all campuses, including in classrooms, libraries, studios, labs, offices, and common areas. Vaccinated individuals may remove face coverings when seated in a private office occupied by one person or at a workstation, provided that there is separation from other seated people. In University dining spaces, masks should be worn until seated. When in athletic or workout facilities, masks should be worn unless actively engaged in physical activity. All community members may remove face coverings in their personal living space on campus.
• Outdoors: Masks are not required but are recommended if in a crowd or unable to maintain physical distancing.
• At the Center for Health and Wellness: Masks are required in the student health center regardless of vaccination status.
• On Transportation: Masks must be worn when two or more people travel on University vans and buses (University-owned or rented) and on other public transportation. 

What if I still have questions or concerns about Capital’s vaccination requirement?

Please reach out to our COVID Response Team at COVIDResponse@capital.edu.

Self-Reporting a Positive Case of COVID-19

If you have received a positive result for COVID-19 and were tested off-campus, please fill out the self-reporting form.

Capital University COVID-19 On-Campus Testing

Last updated: 9/27/21 
Note: Testing has concluded for the spring semester. We will not be conducting testing over the summer. For historical data, please see our Spring 2021 COVID-19 Testing Dashboard.

Campus Health and Safety Guidelines

The Center for Health and Wellness provides guidelines to protect student and employee health during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluates protocols for testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, and student physical and mental health services.

Health and Wellness Testing

Weekly COVID surveillance testing is required for individuals who are not vaccinated or who choose not to provide documentation of vaccination. 

Review the Vaccine and Testing Policy (PDF)

If you would like to get vaccinated, Capital has made vaccinations available through our partnership with Bexley Urgent Care, located at 2216 E. Main Street, at the intersection of Main Street and College Avenue, across the street from the Bexley campus. Appointments for vaccinations can be made through this link: https://www.uaurgentcare.com/bexley-urgent-care.html

The vaccinations are provided for free with no cost to the individual. You will be asked for your insurance information to cover the cost of administering the vaccine, however, your insurance company will not charge you for this cost. If you do not have insurance, you can still get the vaccine, for no cost.

Reporting COVID positive tests: If you receive a positive COVID test result please fill out the self-reporting form which provides this information to the COVID Response Team so the team can provide support and determine any next steps needed.

Academic Plans

We will maximize space between individuals where possible, but there will not be a minimum required spacing or physical distancing. Larger spaces and rooms with moveable furniture will have more flexibility for spacing if needed.

If you have general questions about the health and safety issues related to COVID-19 and the University, we encourage you to email us at healthinfo@capital.edu. For questions about specific issues, contact:

• Academic Advising – advising@capital.edu or 614-236-6112
• Academic Success – academicsuccess@capital.edu or 614-236-6327
• Residential and Commuter Life – residencelife@capital.edu or commuterlife@capital.edu
• Center for Health and Wellness – chw@capital.edu or 614-236-6114
• Disability Services – disabilityservices@capital.edu or 614-236-6611
• Financial Aid – finaid@capital.edu or 614-236-6511
• Student Success – success@capital.edu or 614-236-6871

Student Life

 Housing

To live in University provided housing, students must either:

• Provide documentation of being fully vaccinated for COVID prior to move in; or
• Test negative for COVID at move in and after university breaks (Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break), and participate in the University’s weekly COVID surveillance testing.
• If you become fully vaccinated during the academic year, you would no longer need to participate in the surveillance testing program or be tested after university breaks.

Dining

As we begin to cautiously reopen our dining facilities during these unprecedented times, we want to let you know what is being done to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, guests and dining services team members.

Safety and sanitation have always been a hallmark of our dining services; however, in the wake of this global pandemic, we recognize that it has never been more critical for us to rise to the occasion and challenge ourselves as we meet the uncertainty and evolving demands of this "new normal." We are happy to partner with our dining services provider, Aladdin, to meet and exceed all federal, state and local health and safety requirements.

Any questions about Dining Services should be directed to liz.hernandez@aladdinfood.com.

Working on Campus

To participate in in-person work, there are two options:

• Option 1:  Be fully vaccinated, and inform the University of your vaccination status.   As vaccination provides protection against becoming infected and spreading infection, individuals who are fully vaccinated will:
• Not have to participate in surveillance testing, if asymptomatic.
• Not be required to quarantine if exposed to COVID.
• Option 2:  No vaccination, or do not inform the University of your vaccination status. Following health department guidelines to monitor and prevent the spread of COVID, individuals who are not vaccinated will:
• Be expected to wear a mask when in University buildings.
• Be required to participate in the University’s weekly COVID surveillance testing.
• Need to quarantine if identified as having been exposed as a close contact during contact tracing, and need to isolate if you test COVID positive.
• Employees who are unable to perform their job responsibilities while in quarantine or isolation will need to use their paid or unpaid leave time.
• Students who are required to quarantine or isolate will experience disruptions to being able to be in in-person classes.

Please note: Although the University does not require vaccination, there are some activities such as field experiences, clinical placements, experiential learning activities, or programs of study (i.e., nursing) that may require vaccination to participate due to external or other requirements.

Facilities Management/Environmental Safety 

The University will continue to maximize ventilation and air filtration based on the mechanical systems and options available for each building. Hand sanitizer will remain available throughout our campuses. Disinfection of high touch surfaces, including communal restrooms and shared shower facilities, will occur regularly.

University Events

University events, student events and activities, and external events are all permitted to be in-person and without limitation on capacity. Attendance or registration will be required to assist with contact tracing.

Capital University COVID-19 On-Campus Testing Spring 2021

Last updated: 5/17/21 
Note: This is an archive of all data from the Spring 2021 semester. Current numbers can be found here.

Capital University COVID-19 On-Campus Testing Fall 2020

Last updated: 12/10/20 
Note: This is an archive of all data from the Fall 2020 semester. Current numbers can be found here.

Self-Reporting a Positive Case of COVID-19

If you have received a positive result for COVID-19 and were tested off-campus, please fill out the self-reporting form.