Dear SPU Community
The Vice-Chancellor’s Directive on COVID-19 Vaccinations sets out the University’s position on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.
In the interest of maintaining our health and safety, during the COVID-19 pandemic, all staff, students and contractors who want to come onto the SPU campus will need to show that they have been vaccinated. Those who are unvaccinated may apply for an exemption on medical, religious or other legally acceptable grounds.
We are now in a position to give effect to this Directive as per the Operational Plan, which can be accessed here. Members of the SPU community will be required to either provide proof of their vaccination status or submit an Application for Exemption from the Directive by no later than Monday, 28 February 2022. The Application for Exemption forms can be downloaded below:
- Application for Exemption – Medical Grounds
- Application for Exemption – Religious Considerations
- Application for Exemption – Other Legally Acceptable Exemptions
I have established a Vaccination Exemption Committee (VEC) that will receive, review and make decisions on the Applications for Exemption. Applicants will be bound by the decision of the VEC. The VEC will provide feedback on an ongoing basis on applications for exemption as appropriate.
If an exemption is not granted the applicant will be expected to comply with the prescripts of the Vice-Chancellor’s Directive on COVID-19 Vaccinations within seven days of the date of the decision of the VEC. An applicant whose application for exemption is unsuccessful, will also have the right to appeal directly to myself within 7 days after receipt of the decision of the VEC.
Everyone on campus, regardless of whether they are exempt from the Directive or not, will be required to:
- Always wear a N95 mask or a 3-ply mask and take whatever additional measures as may be deemed appropriate in the circumstances.
- Sanitise and undergo health and safety screening at access points.
The University has been diligent in its efforts to keep our COVID-19 infection rate low so I urge you to continue to be vigilant about your health and safety and of those around you.
Kind regards
Professor Andrew M Crouch
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Date: 21 February 2022
