Category: COVID-19 Updates

Feeling unwell? Get tested for COVID at the Student Health Services (SHS) 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 22-23 before the office closes at noon Nov. 24 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. SHS does not use a rapid test, so results will not be available before 24-48 hours.

Students can use their myShockerHealth portal to make an appointment.

On November 10, the Safer Federal Worker Taskforce extended the deadline to become fully vaccinated to January 18, 2022.  

The mandatory vaccination obligations apply even to those covered employees who are working remotely (if they are working on or in connection with a covered contract or are fulfilling work obligations on university property). Given the short timeframe for implementation and the length of vaccination protocols (in some cases, taking up to six weeks), unvaccinated employees should seek their first vaccine dose immediately. 

Compliance with the vaccine requirement is a condition of employment at WSU. Employees who are not fully vaccinated or do not receive approval for a medical or religious exemption or remote work exemption may be prohibited from engaging in work after the deadline. Further failure to comply will be addressed consistent with university policies and procedures, which may include corrective action up to and including separation.  

View vaccination schedule.

How to submit proof of vaccination  

A process is being developed that will allow employees to upload their proof of vaccination documents via a secure and confidential portal. We will communicate more on this process as soon as the details are available. Any forms submitted outside the portal will be returned as unprocessed. 

Mask exemption requests 

If an employee needs to request a medical or religious mask exemption, they may do so by completing and submitting an exemption request form to HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu. Find forms at the vaccination and masking requirements page. 

Vaccination exemption requests 

If an employee needs to request a medical or religious exemption or a remote work vaccination exception, they may do so by completing a request form. Find forms at the vaccination and masking requirements page. Individuals may begin filling out the forms, but they may not be submitted yet.   

As is the case with the vaccine form submission, a process is being developed that will allow employees to upload exemption or exception documents via a secure and confidential portal. We will communicate details about the process as soon as they are available. Any forms submitted outside the portal will be returned as unprocessed.   

Please continue to monitor WSU Today and Shocker Blast for updates on the executive order and form submission processes, and reference the HR Guide to Executive Order 14042 for additional information. 

The following COVID-19 vaccination options are available at WSU:

On-campus COVID-19 Vaccines at WSU Student Health Services by appointment

• All WSU and WSU Tech students and employees, Innovation Campus employees and immediate family members (18 years of age or older) who are eligible can receive a free COVID-19 first, second or third/booster vaccination through Student Health Services.
• To schedule an appointment, sign in to myWSU and go to the Home tab under the WSU logo in the top left corner. Then go to the “Schedule Your COVID Vaccine Appointment” link on the left-hand side under “COVID-19 Toolkit.”
• Student Health is currently administering Pfizer first, second, third or booster doses only.
• Booster doses can be interchangeable. You do not have to receive the same booster vaccine as your first dose.
• To see if you are eligible for a booster vaccine, check out the Sedgwick County additional COVID-19 dose information website.

On-campus COVID-19 Vaccine Walk-In Mobile Clinic by Sedgwick County Health Department

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays at Koch Arena– no appointment required
• Anyone who is eligible, including the general public, can receive a free COVID-19 vaccination through Sedgwick County Health Department mobile clinics.
• Sedgwick County is currently administering:
  • Pfizer first, second, third and booster doses
  • J & J first and booster doses
  • For information on Moderna vaccine availability, visit the Sedgwick County Moderna availability website.
• Booster doses can be interchangeable. You do not have to receive the same booster vaccine as your first dose.
• To see if you are eligible for a booster vaccine, visit the Sedgwick County additional dose information website.
• Pfizer pediatric doses are in low supply. Covid-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 may not be available at SCHD mobile clinics. For questions, please contact schdcovidvaccine@sedgwick.gov
  
  Other COVID-19 Vaccine options

• To schedule an appointment at a county site, go the Sedgwick County page or vaccinefinder.org.

Please review Frequently Asked Questions below for additional information. If your question is not covered in the FAQ list, please email student.health@wichita.edu. Watch WSU Today and the WSU COVID-19 vaccine website for updated information. 

Supervisors: Strategic Communications has an updated signage toolkit for office and building use. Visit wsu.news/signage to download and print a variety of signs related to COVID operations and safety. Please remember that all signs should be hung up with painter’s tape only.

Is there a sign you think is needed in the toolkit? Let us know by emailing annelise.muret@wichita.edu.

If you need assistance printing these signs, including outdoor signage needs, please reach out to shockerprinting@wichita.edu. (Additional fees may apply).

In accordance with executive order 14042, there are several COVID safety protocol requirements that impact our community:  vaccines, masks and physical distancing.  All Wichita State employees (including temporary, part-time, full-time and student employees) will be required to be fully vaccinated, unless eligible for a medical, religious or remote work exemption. 

The mandatory vaccination obligations apply even to those covered employees who are working remotely (if they are working on or in connection with a covered contract or are fulfilling work obligations on university property). Given the short timeframe for implementation and the length of vaccination protocols (in some cases, taking up to six weeks), unvaccinated employees should seek their first vaccine dose immediately.

Compliance with the vaccine requirement is a condition of employment at WSU. Employees who are not fully vaccinated or do not receive approval for a medical, religious or remote work exemption will be prohibited from engaging in work after the deadline. Further failure to comply will be addressed consistent with university policies and procedures, which may include corrective action up to and including separation.  

Mask exemption requests

If an employee needs to request a medical or religious mask exemption, they may do so by completing and submitting an exemption request form to HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu.  Find forms at the vaccination and masking requirements page. 

Vaccination exemption requests

If an employee needs to request a medical, religious and remote work vaccination exemption, they may do so by completing an exemption request form.  Find forms at the vaccination and masking requirements page. Individuals may begin filling out the forms, but they may not be submitted yet.  

A process is still being completed that will allow employees to upload their proof of vaccination or exemption documents via a secure and confidential portal.  We will communicate more on this process as soon as the details are available and no later than the week of Nov. 15.  Any forms submitted outside the portal will be returned as unprocessed.  

Please continue to monitor WSU Today and Shocker Blast for updates and reference the HR Guide to Executive Order 14042 for additional information.

Shocker family,

I know many of you are aware of President Biden’s recent executive order regarding COVID practices and protocols relating to vaccines, masking and social distancing for federal contractors, and have had questions as to if – and how – this order might apply to WSU. After a thorough internal review of the order and its implementing guidance – and in consultation with state and federal partners, our fellow Kansas research institutions, and the president of the Kansas Board of Regents – we have determined that the order applies to the entire WSU workforce.

What does this mean for you?

In accordance with the executive order, there are several COVID safety protocol requirements that will impact our community:  vaccines, masks and physical distancing. All employees (including part-time, full-time and student employees) will be required to be fully vaccinated by December 8, 2021, unless eligible for a medical or religious exemption. The mandatory vaccination obligations apply even to those covered employees who are working remotely (as long as they are working on or in connection with a covered contract). Given the short timeframe for implementation and the length of vaccination protocols (in some cases, taking up to six weeks), unvaccinated employees should seek their first vaccine dose immediately. Get more information on vaccination schedules. Compliance with the vaccine requirement is a condition of employment. Employees who are not fully vaccinated or do not receive approval for a medical or religious exemption will be prohibited from engaging in work after December 8, 2021. Further failure to comply will be addressed consistent with university policies and procedures, which may include corrective action up to and including separation.

Additionally, absent an exemption, all individuals on campus – employees, students and visitors – regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear masks and physically distance (to the extent required in the order). This includes indoor and outdoor spaces, classrooms, labs and social events. This masking and physical distancing requirement is effective Monday, October 25, 2021. 

What are the next steps in complying with this order?

We are asking all employees to please not submit your vaccination card (or other proof of your vaccination status) to your supervisor or Human Resources at this time. Employees will be able to upload proof of their vaccination status through a secure online portal shortly; more details are coming on how to do that.  Also, please do not submit requests for vaccine exemptions to your supervisor or HR at this time. More information will be forthcoming regarding the exemption request process.

We have put together the FAQ below to help answer some of your immediate questions. More information will be distributed as it becomes available.

As I have said before, vaccines remain the most effective way for us to combat this virus. Our top priority has been and remains the health, safety and well-being of our entire campus community. I call upon each of you – as a critical and valuable part of our Shocker family – to do your part in this fight not only for yourself, but also for your family, your friends, your neighbors and your colleagues. Vaccination of our campus not only ensures compliance with our federal obligations, thereby continuing to secure millions of dollars in federal funding that support and fund research, employment and educational efforts, it also gives us the best chance at keeping our classrooms and campus open.

As a reminder, all WSU students, faculty and staff can receive the vaccine, free of charge, through Student Health Services. Additionally, in partnership with the Sedgwick County Health Department, WSU is hosting two weekly public walk-in vaccination clinics.See the vaccination schedule.

If you have additional questions, email HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu.

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our university!

Sincerely,

Rick Muma, President

All WSU and WSU Tech students and employees (18 or older) who are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine third dose or booster can receive a free COVID-19 vaccination through Student Health Services. 

To be eligible for the third dose or booster Pfizer vaccine, all three of the following criteria must be met:

• Received two doses of Pfizer vaccine: A COVID vaccination card or other documentation is required to show proof of first two doses. It is not allowed or approved to receive a Pfizer booster if your first two vaccinations were Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.
• Received the second Pfizer dose six months before the booster.
• Fall into one or more of the following groups: 
  • Age 65 years and older
  • Age 18 years and older with one or more underlying conditions
  • Age 18 years and older with increased risk of COVID-19 because of workplace or institutional setting

For more information on booster eligibility requirements, visit the Sedgwick County website.

On-campus third dose or booster vaccination clinics are in WSU Student Health Services, which is located inside the YMCA on the WSU campus. Check-in for vaccination appointments will be located inside the WSU Student Wellness Center.

On-campus first and second dose Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccinations can be received through the Sedgwick County Health Department vaccine clinics on the WSU main campus. There are two walk-in vaccination clinics available: noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at the Wichita State YMCA and 1-4 p.m. Thursdays at Koch Arena. 

To schedule an appointment, sign in to myWSU and go to the Home tab under the WSU logo in the top left corner. Then go to “Schedule Your COVID Vaccine Appointment” link on the left-hand side under “COVID-19 Toolkit.”

For anyone receiving vaccination through SHS, please follow these directions to save you time and to help SHS conserve our limited supply of vaccines: 

• You are required to bring your Covid vaccination card to prove documentation of your first and secibd Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations.
• You will receive an email confirmation with your appointment date and time. Please keep your scheduled appointment.
• If you cannot keep your appointment, please cancel in a timely fashion so the appointment time is available for others. The option to cancel your appointment is in the confirmation email. 
• Bring the completed Dispense Assist form and your WSU ID, or other form of ID, with you for the appointment. 
• DO NOT arrive earlier than 10 minutes prior to your appointment time. 
• All individuals will be required to complete a 15- to 30-minute observation period after receiving the vaccine.

Other vaccine options

To schedule an appointment at a county site, go the Sedgwick County page or vaccinefinder.org.

Please review Frequently Asked Questions for additional information. If your question is not covered in the FAQ list, please email student.health@wichita.edu. Watch WSU Today and the WSU COVID-19 vaccine website for updated information.  

Today is the last day for Wichita State students to apply for a $250 COVID vaccine incentive award or a chance to receive one of 20 scholarships worth $5,000 each for the spring 2022 semester. To qualify, students must meet the following guidelines:

• Students must have received their first dose of the vaccine before Sept. 17.
• All vaccine documentation needs to be submitted and uploaded to the myShockerhealth patient portal before Oct. 8.

Students can submit all questions about vaccine incentives via myShockerHealth portal.

In partnership with the Sedgwick County Health Department, Wichita State University hosts two public walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics. COVID vaccinations are available without an appointment for the J & J vaccine and the first, second and third or booster Pfizer vaccinations at the following times and locations:

• Noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays: Steve Clark YMCA, 2060 N. Mid-Campus Dr. on the WSU campus      
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays: Charles Koch Arena, 1845 Fairmount St. on the WSU campus

“I am vaccinated because I want to feel safe and protect others around me.”

Together, we can help end this pandemic.