Fuller Announces Vaccine or Weekly Testing Requirement for Pasadena Campus

As we look forward to reopening the Pasadena campus in the fall and being together once again in person, we are eager to create as safe an experience as possible for everyone. With this in mind, we have decided to implement an additional measure to further protect the health and safety of our on-campus Fuller community: a vaccine or weekly testing requirement.

Effective Monday, September 27, Fuller will require all staff, faculty, students, non-Fuller employees using Fuller space, contractors, guests, and others who visit and/or use the Pasadena campus, and student residents to be fully vaccinated (defined as two weeks after a single-dose vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose vaccine) or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing.

We are incredibly proud of our community and encouraged by the results of a recent survey, when 90 percent of Fuller employees and Pasadena students reported they are already fully vaccinated. However, with the current pervasiveness of the Delta variant and its increased transmissibility, we find it necessary to add this requirement in order to be excellent neighbors and care for the health and safety of all our community members. We are also monitoring the recently announced national regulatory requirements and may adjust as needed.

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions that we hope will help you understand this requirement and how you can best prepare. For more information, review Fuller’s COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing Policy.

Why is Fuller taking this additional step of requiring vaccinations or weekly testing?

The Delta variant has reinforced what had already become abundantly clear: COVID is not something we can expect to eradicate any time soon. Instead we must learn to live with the virus while mitigating its risks. Consequently, our strategy must change to include tactics and best practices that will help protect our community in the face of this ongoing threat. In addition to our existing safety protocols (masking, distancing, symptom checks, etc.), vaccination or a weekly testing requirement is one more way to help reduce the spread of COVID amongst our community.

Does Fuller’s requirement replace the City of Pasadena’s vaccination order for healthcare workers?

No. If you are a healthcare worker in Pasadena or perform any physical work within Fuller’s healthcare facility (180 N. Oakland Avenue building, not including Travis), you still need to follow the City of Pasadena Health Officer Order for the Control of COVID-19: Order Requiring Vaccination of Health Care Workers.

I am unwilling or unable to get vaccinated. What alternatives do I have?

Staff, faculty, students, non-Fuller employees using Fuller space, contractors, and guests who plan to visit and/or use the Pasadena campus, and student residents who are not vaccinated must submit to weekly COVID-19 testing.

Who exactly will be required to follow this policy? For example, what about a student who takes all their courses online and visits campus occasionally to use the library, or an employee who lives out of state and only visits campus once per year––are they exempt?

Anyone planning to be physically present on our Pasadena campus must comply with this vaccination or weekly testing requirement. For an occasional visit, employees, students, or student residents can submit proof of vaccination status or a COVID-19 negative test result (from a test taken 72 hours prior to a campus visit) through Fuller’s COVID Concerns Verification Portal (link forthcoming). Campus visitors who fall into other categories must be prepared to present physical or electronic proof of vaccination or proof of a COVID-19 negative test result.

Where can I go to get vaccinated and how do I submit my proof of vaccination?

Vaccinations are available at no cost at various health centers and select pharmacies nationwide. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website vaccines.gov to schedule an appointment. Employees, students, and student residents can securely submit proof of full vaccination through Fuller’s COVID Concerns Verification Portal (link forthcoming). These groups can start uploading proof of vaccination over the coming week. Campus visitors who fall into other categories must be prepared to present physical or electronic proof of vaccination or proof of a COVID-19 negative test result.

Where can I go to get weekly tests and how do I submit my results?

COVID-19 tests are available at no cost at health centers and select pharmacies nationwide. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures that COVID-19 testing is free to anyone in the US, including individuals without health insurance. Please visit the US Department of Health and Human services page Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19 for more information. We are also looking into providing an on-campus testing site option.

This policy goes into effect September 27th and employees, students, and student residents will be able to upload their first negative test result 72 hours prior. Campus visitors who fall into other categories must be prepared to present physical or electronic proof of vaccination or proof of a COVID-19 negative test result.

If someone on campus violates this policy or other COVID-19 safety policies (e.g., visits campus without being fully vaccinated or without having a negative COVID test, does not submit to a symptom test, or doesn’t wear a mask where required), what will happen?

We are hopeful that the motivation to keep our community safe will result in voluntary compliance with the institution’s vaccine or weekly testing policy, as well as other policies and protocols in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19. We will be monitoring vaccination status and weekly test uploads to ensure compliance. Those who fail to comply will be asked to leave campus immediately for the safety of other students and employees. If necessary, additional disciplinary action may be taken, up to and including termination of employment or student status (expulsion).

Does this requirement apply to all of Fuller’s campuses?

No, this requirement applies only to Fuller’s Pasadena campus.

I work on the same floor as employees of The Fuller Foundation. Does this vaccine or weekly testing requirement apply to employees of that organization?

Yes. Fuller is requiring all staff, faculty, students, non-Fuller employees using Fuller space, contractors, guests, and others who visit and/or use the Pasadena campus, and student residents to be fully vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing.

I plan to visit the Pasadena campus as a prospective student for a visit with an admissions counselor and a campus tour. Does this vaccination or testing policy apply to me?

Yes. Fuller will require all staff, faculty, students, non-Fuller employees using Fuller space, contractors, guests, and others who visit and/or use the Pasadena campus, and student residents to be fully vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. Proof of vaccination status or a COVID-19 negative test result (from a test taken 72 hours prior to a campus visit) should be submitted to the Welcome Center in advance of your visit or brought to campus with you for verification. Please visit the US Department of Health and Human services page Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19 for more information.