Updated campus mask policy goes into effect June 28 – To coincide with the start of the Summer II session, Mines will be updating its campus mask policy effective Monday, June 28. Under the updated policy:
- Cloth face masks that cover the nose and mouth are still required for all people, regardless of vaccination status, while participating in indoor courses and labs. Masks are not required for classes held outdoors but are recommended when individuals cannot maintain physical distancing (3 feet or greater).
- Individuals who are fully vaccinated can go without masks inside buildings at Mines, except in classes or in buildings or spaces when designated.
- Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to continue wearing masks in all public indoor spaces or in private offices and laboratories when others are present.
- More restrictive mask requirements may be implemented by individual programs or offices with the approval of the appropriate vice president.
Please keep in mind that many in the campus community will choose to continue to wear a mask at all times, even if fully vaccinated. We must honor and respect one another’s decision to do so. Read the updated policy in full on the Mines Climbs Together website.
Joining other Colorado universities, Mines to require COVID-19 vaccination for students and employees – In case you missed it, Colorado School of Mines leadership announced on June 7 that Mines will be implementing a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all students and employees for Fall 2021. This vaccination requirement can be fulfilled by either:
- Providing proof of vaccination, or
- Submitting a vaccine exemption form
In keeping with other established vaccination policies at Mines and in the State of Colorado, students and employees can fulfill the COVID-19 vaccine requirement by claiming an exemption for medical or non-medical reasons. Non-medical reasons include religious or personal beliefs.
The deadline to comply with the requirement, by either uploading proof of vaccination (COVID-19 vaccine card) or a signed exemption form, is the first day of Fall 2021 classes, Monday, Aug. 23. For more information, go to mines.edu/vaccine.
How to upload your vaccine requirement documents – All Mines students and employees are asked to upload their vaccine requirement documents as soon as they are able – no need to wait until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 22 (we see you, fellow procrastinators of Mines). Student and employee exemption forms are available for download via the portals below or at mines.edu/vaccine.
Students: Student Health Portal (via Trailhead)
The Student Health Center is managing the collection of vaccination records and exemption forms for all Mines students (undergraduate and graduate).
- Students who have received the COVID-19 vaccine must enter their dose dates into the Student Health Portal (the little medical bag icon on Trailhead) and upload proof of vaccination (photo of vaccination card or medical record). Submissions without proof of vaccination will not be accepted.
- Students filing an exemption should also use the portal to download, sign and submit that form (medical or non-medical).
Employees: MAPS Secure Document Upload Portal (via TeamDynamix)
The Human Resources Office is managing the collection of vaccination records and exemptions for all Mines employees (academic/administrative/research faculty and classified staff).
- Employees who have received the COVID-19 vaccine should upload proof of vaccination (photo of vaccine card or medical record) via the MAPS Secure Document Upload service on TeamDynamix. Detailed instructions are available here.
- Employees filing an exemption should also upload their signed forms via the MAPS document portal.
You asked, we’ve answered: Your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine requirement – Since campus leadership sent out the message about the vaccine requirement on June 7, the Communications and Marketing Office has received dozens of questions from you, the wonderful faculty, staff, students and family members that make up the Mines community. We’re still tracking down answers to a few questions, and some answers remain TBD as of right now, but here’s what we’ve found out so far.
VACCINE QUESTIONS
Q: I’m an international student, and the vaccines currently available in my home country are not authorized by the FDA. Should I get vaccinated now, or should I wait to get vaccinated in the U.S.?
A: The Student Health Center is following CDC guidance on vaccines administered outside of the U.S. Assuming the vaccine available in your home country is listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), you do not need to delay vaccination until you reach the U.S.
COVID-19 vaccines not authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but listed for emergency use by WHO will be accepted for compliance with Mines’ COVID-19 vaccination requirement. The current list of WHO EUL vaccines is available on the WHO website.
Per CDC guidance, individuals who receive all of the recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by the FDA but listed for emergency use by WHO do not need any additional doses of an FDA-authorized vaccine.
REPORTING QUESTIONS
Q: I was vaccinated during one of the on-campus vaccine clinics. Do I still need to report my vaccination?
A: Yes. Regardless of where you received your vaccination – whether at an on-campus clinic or a location in the community – Mines requests that all campus community members upload their vaccine cards via the appropriate portal.
EXEMPTION QUESTIONS
Q: If I choose to file an exemption because of the current Emergency Use Authorization status of the vaccines, will I be required to get vaccinated if/when the vaccines receive full FDA approval?
A: No. If you file an exemption form, Mines will assume that you do not plan to get vaccinated for the duration of the 2021-22 academic year. However, any Mines community member may change their mind later and withdraw their exemption status once fully vaccinated. You can do that by uploading proof of vaccination (upload instructions can be found here).
Q: I previously had COVID-19. Can I get an exemption to the vaccine requirement?
A: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that those with a previous COVID-19 infection still get vaccinated because experts don’t know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. (Learn more from the CDC about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.)
That said, Mines is allowing community members to opt out of the vaccine requirement for medical and non-medical reasons. Acceptable non-medical exemptions include those for personal beliefs and religious reasons.
Q: If you have been vaccinated but do not want to share your medical information with Mines, can you fill out a vaccine exemption form?
A: Yes. Mines is allowing community members to opt out of the vaccine requirement for medical and non-medical reasons.
Note: Anyone with a vaccine exemption on file will be treated as though they are unvaccinated if identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case on campus. Under current CDC guidance, that will mean quarantining away from campus for up to 14 days – unless you provide proof of vaccination (vaccine card) to the Mines COVID-19 Response Initiator Team (CRIT).
CAMPUS LIFE QUESTIONS
Q: Will students who do not feel comfortable returning to campus be able to choose to take their courses remotely in the fall?
A: All Fall 2021 courses will be delivered in-person, except for those courses designed specifically for asynchronous online delivery (via Mines Online). Remote options will not be available for in-person courses. Students seeking Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations should contact Mines Disability Support Services.
Q: I would like to host a workshop on campus that brings in attendees from different states. Will attendees need to show they have been vaccinated?
A: Mines is not requiring visitors to campus to be vaccinated. That said, all visitors are subject to the campus mask policy at the time of their visit.
Q: What is Mines’ current travel guidance for employees and students?
A: Traveling this summer for business or vacation? Mines does not have any restrictions on domestic travel. Employees and students traveling internationally should follow CDC guidelines for international travel.
Got a question not answered here and can’t find an answer at mines.edu/vaccine? Let us know by filling out the form at the bottom of the COVID-19 Vaccine page, and we’ll work on getting and sharing an answer in a future Mines Climbs Together update.