COVID-19 Center

Current Status

Last Updated: 5/11/2021 | Looking to ask a question? Fill out our form.

New Student Vaccination Requirement: After careful consultation with government and public health officials, the university will require that all students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (i.e., that students have received one or two doses of the vaccine, in accordance with the number of doses recommended by the manufacturer) prior to their arrival to campus for the 2021 fall semester. Students are asked to upload into their electronic medical record (through the Medicat Student Patient Portal) confirmation of their COVID-19 vaccination (excluding any medical information other than evidence of their vaccination).

Students requesting an exemption from this requirement for medical, religious or other reasons must complete and submit the form located on the Medicat Student Patient Portal: jwu.medicatconnect.com. Students enrolled in online degree programs and individuals participating in online-only continuing education programs will not be required to be vaccinated unless they come to campus to visit (for instance, to use the dining, library, fitness center, and other facilities.)

We anticipate that we will return to full operations in the fall, with courses being offered in-person as well as through hybrid delivery. Select study abroad opportunities will be available for eligible students, who will need to be vaccinated to participate. Visit covid.jwu.edu/faqs for frequently asked questions and more information.

REMINDER: Each day, all faculty, staff and students reporting to campus are required to screen their current health conditions by answering the daily COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire, which can be accessed in the JWU Mobile app, jwuLink, or HRpulse. If you receive a green check mark, you will be cleared to be on campus. Students should be prepared to present results from their daily COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire upon request. If a faculty or staff member receives a red check mark, they will need to consult their health care provider and notify their supervisor. Students who receive a red check mark are asked to reach out Health Services to determine their next steps.

Summer 2021 Plans: Summer session will continue to be fully remote, giving students the option to pick up extra courses and accelerate their graduation.

REMINDER: All of the planning for the summer and fall is dependent on the guidance, restrictions, and health protocols that may be put in place by federal, state, and local governments. Although we hope it will not happen, we will be prepared to transition to a remote environment as needed. Should there be any changes to our plans, we will communicate them promptly.

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Information For Me

Students

JWU continues to actively monitor the COVID-19 pandemic as the university works to maintain the student experience.

Parents

During this rapidly evolving situation, the guidance the university has been receiving from federal and local governments has been continuously updated.

Faculty

JWU is committed to sharing the changing guidance it receives from federal, state and local officials with faculty as they prepare for and execute classwork during the semester

Staff

The university continues to receive guidance and updates from federal, state and local officials, which in turn impacts our decisions & campus operations.

Health & Safety

Johnson & Wales University remains committed to mitigating the risks of COVID-19 and maintaining a positive campus community and online environment for living, learning and working.

Learn More About Health & Safety

Support The Overall Well-being of JWU Campuses

All JWU community members must follow these guidelines each and every day.

Read the COVID-19 Conduct Protocol

COVID-19 Updates By Campus

Providence

Charlotte

“We have found many creative and fun ways to stay connected and engaged ... Let’s do our part to keep our campuses open and keep each other safe.”

- Chancellor Mim L. Runey, LP.D.

Read the Chancellor’s Message

Universitywide FAQs

Why has the university decided to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students?

After careful consultation with government and public health officials, the university will require that all students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to their arrival to campus for the 2021 fall semester.

Adding the COVID-19 vaccination to our student immunization requirements will aid our efforts to provide a safer and more robust college experience for our entire JWU community. Moreover, students who are vaccinated will not need to adhere to the extensive quarantine protocols that have been in place. Through widespread vaccination, we can accelerate the return to a more traditional college experience, including seamless delivery of in-person courses, attending athletic games, more on-campus events and activities, and the resumption of our on-campus visitor and guest policy.

How can students provide proof of vaccination to the university?

Students are required to upload their medical record verifying their COVID-19 vaccination into the Medicat Student Patient Portal. The university will not accept student vaccination records via email.

To upload medical records verifying COVID-19 vaccinations, visit jwu.medicatconnect.com and follow these steps:

Enter your JWU log in
Once the portal is open, click Upload
Select 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid 19), NAA (Third Party) from the drop down menu
To upload take a photo or screenshot of your vaccination card with your phone, email that to yourself, open your email up on your computer, then you can drag/drop or browse for the file that you would then upload to the portal.

Are students able to request an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement?

Students may request an exemption from this requirement for medical, religious or other reasons. Students are able to complete the attestation form directly on the Medicat webpage: jwu.medicatconnect.com when they log in. Look for the COVID Vaccine exemption form.

What happens if a student arrives to campus this fall without being vaccinated and without requesting an exemption?

The student would be advised to contact Health Services to request an exemption or schedule a vaccination appointment in Rhode Island, providing proof when they receive their shot(s). Students in this instance would have a temporary hold on their account during the university’s consideration of the exemption request or until proof of compliance is entered into the student’s Medicat account.

Do students who live off-campus and are enrolled in online classes need to be vaccinated to access campus?

Students who live off-campus and are enrolled in online classes are encouraged to get the vaccine to support in-person connections with campus. Students who decide they do not wish to be vaccinated should complete the exemption form.