Kansas State University

K-State provides updates on federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement

Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing

Following updated guidance from the federal government, Kansas State University is extending the vaccination deadline and updating university policy related to the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement. The vaccine requirement also will now apply to employees of corporate entities controlled by the university, including K-State Athletics and the K-State Student Union. K-State Alumni Association and KSU Foundation are not considered to be controlled affiliated corporations.

On Nov. 4, the federal government announced important updates to two major vaccination policies. The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force also recently provided updated guidance related to the federal executive order that requires the COVID-19 vaccine for federal contractors. 

The health and safety of all K-State faculty, staff and students remains the university’s top priority. The federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement continues to apply to all K-State faculty and staff as well as graduate and undergraduate student employees. The COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment. 

Timelines
The university is implementing the following updates:

• K-State has extended the deadline for full vaccination against COVID-19. All K-State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, to comply with the federal requirement. 
• Employment will end on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, for employees who have not been fully vaccinated or received a medical or religious exemption by Jan. 4, 2022.

Although the deadline for full vaccination has been extended, K-State will continue to follow the previously announced internal timeline:

• Monday, Nov. 15, is the deadline to submit a request for a religious/medical exemption.
• Exemption requests will be approved or denied by Friday, Nov. 19. This date allows time to receive COVID-19 vaccines and to be considered fully vaccinated by the Jan. 4 deadline.
• Monday, Nov. 29, is the last date to upload your proof of vaccination. Find a step-by-step guide to provide vaccination documentation. If you need assistance uploading your proof of vaccination, please contact Human Capital Services at 785-532-6277.
• On Wednesday, Dec. 1, employees who have not submitted vaccine cards or requested exemptions will be notified that they are not in compliance. Managers also will receive notification at this time. Counseling and education related to COVID-19 vaccines will be available for noncompliant employees. 
• New hires must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8 in order to start work. 

Additional units
Updated guidance from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force has clarified that employees of affiliate organizations that are under the control of a federal contractor are considered covered contractor employees. Therefore, the vaccine requirement is being extended to employees of university-controlled corporate entities.

All employees with K-State Athletics and the K-State Student Union, in addition to all employees of all other controlled affiliated corporations, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. K-State Athletics and K-State Student Union employees will be contacted directly about any adjustments to their timelines for exemptions.

COVID-19 vaccines and documentation
K-State encourages all employees to get vaccinated as soon as possible because it can take several weeks to become fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are free and widely available. Learn about all the ways to find a COVID-19 vaccine.

Lafene Health Center and Human Capital Services will close from Friday, Dec. 24, to Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. They will reopen on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. During the period of reduced university activity, Lafene Health Center will not be administering COVID-19 vaccines and Human Capital Services will not be available to help K-State employees upload COVID-19 vaccination cards. 

K-State continues to update the COVID-19 vaccine website and frequently asked questions. Please refer to the website or contact Human Capital Services with specific concerns.