The University of Hawaiʻi says all employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption by Jan. 3, 2022.
The university says all students must be vaccinated or have an exemption by the same date to be allowed on campus. In order to register for in-person classes for the spring semester, students must have received their final dose of the vaccine.
Registration for the spring term begins in early November.
The university says employees who do not comply with the mandate will be subject to what it called progressive discipline — up to and including termination.
“The policy is based on the latest federal and state guidance and 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,” according to an email sent to employees. “The three unions representing UH employees were also consulted.”
If employees receive an exemption, they must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test on a regular basis.