Quincy University continues to urge all members of our community who can safely do so to choose vaccination and, when recommended, vaccine booster shots. COVID-19 vaccinations are very safe and highly effective. Every person who is vaccinated protects that person’s friends and family. As Pope Francis said on August 18, 2021, “being vaccinated is an act of love.”

On the Quincy University campus, and consistent with the university’s understanding of guidance provided by the state to reduce COVID-19 infections, cloth or disposable masks are required in all classrooms, laboratories, and other indoor learning spaces. Masks are optional in all other campus buildings and spaces. However, any employee may require that anyone entering the employee’s campus office must use a mask while in that office. Members of the university community should have masks available at all times while on campus.

The Illinois Governor ordered on August 30, 2021, that students, faculty, staff, business partners, and volunteers at Quincy University must be fully vaccinated or complete weekly COVID-19 testing, as directed by the University, unless they never are present on campus. Vaccination or weekly testing is still required at all public and private universities in the State of Illinois.

As also mandated by the state, all students, faculty, staff, and volunteers now must either be vaccinated or qualify for a medical or religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. Directions on how to request a medical or religious exemption have been distributed via email to currently enrolled students and to current employees. Students and employees are always given appropriate time to decide whether or not to request exemptions from the vaccine mandate. 

Unvaccinated students and employees may be required to quarantine if they are exposed to COVID-19. Quincy University will provide information about quarantine obligations to community members, based on the most recent public health guidelines.

The university reserves the right to charge a fee of $25.00 for each state-mandated surveillance test taken by an unvaccinated student. At the present time, however, the university does not anticipate charging this fee during the 2022 Spring Semester. In the unlikely event a fee is ever required, the university will provide notice at least 30 days prior to initiating the weekly fee.

University employees and business partners should review the guidance previously emailed to them and speak to their supervisors if they have questions about COVID-19 precautions.

QU students who are taking at least one face-to-face course during the Spring 2022 academic terms provided either (a) proof of COVID-19 vaccination or (b) results of a recent and negative COVID-19 test before the beginning of the fall term.

New recommendations from the CDC, changes in Illinois policies and rules, updated recommendations from local public health officials or additional guidance from the Catholic Church might lead us to revise our policies related to COVID-19.