All students are required to complete one of the following before attending in-person courses that begin between December 17, 2021 and May 7, 2022:

1. Verify that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine that is either fully approved by the FDA, or approved under the FDA emergency use authorization, or approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. A request for verification is required to be submitted and approved through the UMS online COVID-19 vaccination verification portal (https://umaineportal.pointnclick.com/). Students are encouraged to verify their first vaccination through the UMS online COVID-19 vaccination verification portal (External Site) as soon as their first vaccination is received and then, if receiving a two-shot COVID-19 vaccine, to enter their second vaccination through the UMS online COVID-19 vaccination verification portal (External Site) as soon as their second vaccination is received; or
2. Obtain an exemption from the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Requests for exemptions are required to be submitted and approved through the UMS online COVID-19 vaccination verification portal (External Site). Additionally, all exempt, unvaccinated students are required to adhere to public safety protocols to include masking, regular asymptomatic testing (may include multiple tests per week), and as applicable, quarantine and isolation consistent with University standards.

Exemptions to Vaccination Requirements:

1. Documented medical contraindication: a written statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant that, in the provider’s professional judgment, immunization may be medically inadvisable.
2. Sincerely held religious belief: a signed statement from the student, or guardian if the student is a minor, that the student’s sincerely held religious beliefs are contrary to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
3. Remote learning only: a signed statement from the student, or guardian if the student is a minor, that the student will only enroll in remote learning courses that involve no participation in an on-campus experience at any University location. Because not all courses are available in an online modality, students who choose this option understand, agree and accept that this may limit their educational options and that, depending on degree program or course of study, it may not be possible to complete a course of study through remote learning only.

Students in a higher risk category, or with severe illness or underlying health conditions or other applicable circumstances who may need disability accommodations in connection with this protocol should contact the disability or accessibility services office on their campus.

The University of Maine System (UMS) will engage in active outreach to students who have not submitted their fully vaccinated status or received an exemption.

Unvaccinated, non-exempt students are not permitted in classrooms, residence halls, or other University facilities and are not permitted to participate in on-campus experiences or University activities; except for students who have started a course of COVID-19 vaccination but are not fully vaccinated (defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine) and who submit evidence of their partial vaccination status through the UMS online COVID-19 vaccination verification portal (External Site) by the start of their in-person courses. Such partially vaccinated students will be permitted to continue their on-campus experience provided they:

1. Comply with public safety protocols to include masking, regular asymptomatic testing (may include multiple tests per week), and as applicable, quarantine and isolation consistent with University standards; and
2. If they have started a two-dose series they finish the series according to the vaccine manufacturer’s recommended interval and upload evidence of their second vaccination through the UMS online COVID-19 vaccination verification portal (External Site) no later than February 25, 2022.

Students who do not comply with the above two requirements will not be allowed to continue to participate in on-campus experiences and will be administratively withdrawn from their in-person classes.

Public safety protocols, in addition to those listed above, may be implemented by the University at any time, as appropriate to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, public health best practices, civil authority and law. For example, the University may require universal masking, move all courses online, or may require that unvaccinated students, even those with an exemption, will not be permitted in classrooms, residence halls, or other University facilities and will not be permitted to participate in certain University activities during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic if it is determined that such action is appropriate for the safety of the University community taking into account the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, public health best practices, civil authority and law.

Students remain responsible for payment of all tuition and fees assessed to their account.

Compliance:

• Students participating in any on-campus experience will be required to verify their ongoing compliance with the UMS COVID-19 protocols through a University-designated electronic platform.
• Student Conduct Code violations should be addressed consistent with the current Code. In general, refusal to engage in COVID-19 testing, vaccination, or other requirements may be resolved through a transition to remote learning and absence from campus without the need to resort to the Code. However, certain extenuating circumstances may require a case-by-case approach. The Office of General Counsel and each campus’ Office of Student Affairs are available to assist with such case-by-case review. Anyone who is concerned about a violation of the pandemic protocol requirements may report that concern by calling 207-581-2681 or emailing umaine.alerts@maine.edu.