September 21, 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Status Required for Spring 2022 Registration

Aloha UH students,

Although the fall semester has just begun, itʻs time to start planning ahead for the spring 2022 semester. All students who will be on campus in the spring semester are required to be fully vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus.

STAR registration carts will be available in October, with registration beginning in early November. In order to register for on-campus (including hybrid) courses, upload your COVID-19 vaccination card to the LumiSight UH daily health check app. If you have not yet started the vaccination process and would like to attend classes on campus in the spring, you still have time to meet the requirements before registration begins, so don’t delay. If you have not completed and uploaded your vaccine series or received an exemption, you will only be able to register for online classes.

You may request exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons. Students who receive exemptions will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test weekly to be on campus. Exemptions should be submitted through the UH FileDrop system to your campus Student Health Services or Registrar's Office for review and approval (contact info for each campus is below).

The COVID-19 vaccine was added in May 2021 to the student health clearance requirements that already required a TB clearance and immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis and varicella. Meningococcal conjugate vaccinations are also required for first-year students living in on-campus housing.

Whether you still need to get vaccinated or are going to request an exemption, please plan ahead so you will be able to register for the spring 2022 courses that you need or want. If you have any questions, email COVID19@hawaii.edu.

Mahalo for your time and attention on this matter and best wishes this semester.

Sincerely,

Hae Okimoto

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs

September 10, 2021 Testing Policy & Cleaning Guidelines Updated

Aloha UH ‘ohana,

 The COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Policy and Interim COVID-19 Guidelines for the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10 campuses have been updated to include a second COVID-19 testing option and additional guidance for reopening spaces impacted by a positive case as explained below. 

 Rapid Antigen Testing

 A Rapid Antigen Test result report provided by a Department of Health or health care facility will now be accepted for unvaccinated students and employees who require regular testing to be  on campus. The results are valid for three calendar days following the test date. The PCR test is the preferred option and is valid for seven calendar days following the test date. UH provides free PCR testing at 24 locations across the state and will also accept test results from a state approved lab facility.

 The testing option for unvaccinated students is only available for the fall 2021 semester. Effective January 3, 2022, students must be fully vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus or receive a university approved medical or religious exemption, as part of the UH Student Health Clearance Requirements. Those receiving exemptions will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result weekly.

 The update is in section D of the Vaccination and Testing Policy.

 Reopening impacted spaces

 If more than 24 hours have passed since a positive COVID-19 case was last in a space (classroom, office, etc.), campuses may reopen a space after routine cleaning. This update is consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and is based on clear evidence that surfaces are not a major mode of transmission. The option was added to the UH Interim COVID-19 Guidelines in the “Institutional Safety Practices” section under “Campus Responsibilities to Clean and Disinfect …”

 Student resident surveillance testing

 Students living on campus may be required to submit to additional surveillance testing when COVID-19 cases arise. The update is in section A of the Vaccination and Testing Policy.

 Guidelines and policy updates

 The interim guidelines and vaccination and testing policy will continue to be revised based on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and latest county, state and federal guidance. The updates reflect the current pandemic conditions and were made in consultation with the UH President COVID-19 Team and the UH Health and Well-Being working group, made up of UH medical and public health experts.

Mahalo for following the COVID-19 guidelines and policies. They are intended to make our campus environments as safe as possible as learning, teaching and campus operations continue.

Sincerely,

The Office of the Vice President for Administration

The Office of the Vice President for Technology