Vaccination incentive program update, May 17

On May 6, Rowan University announced it will require—and provide an incentive—for all students to be vaccinated, in an effort to help New Jersey reach its goal of a 70 percent vaccination rate and provide the University community a sense of extra safety. The requirement and incentive apply to all matriculated students who will live on campus, in affiliated housing or attend classes in person in fall 2021. 

As a reminder, although the CDC may offer updated guidance on a regular basis, Rowan University’s policies will continue to follow state guidelines. 

Here’s what students need to know: 

• Matriculated students who will live on campus, in affiliated housing or attend classes in person in fall 2021 are required to get fully vaccinated by August 7. (Note: Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, administered three and four weeks apart, respectively. We recommend students get their shots by the first week of July, or look for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.) 
• Full-time students who show proof of vaccination by August 7 will receive a $500 credit to their fall 2021 course registration bill. Residential students will receive an additional $500 credit to their housing bill. Part-time students will receive a prorated credit based on the number of courses/credits taken in the fall. The incentive program includes all students who already have been vaccinated. 
• Credits will appear on tuition and housing bills for the fall term beginning August 15. Students will be notified via email when credits are applied.
• To qualify for the incentive, students must upload a copy of their vaccination cards/records to the Wellness Center’s document upload website. The Wellness Center will be able to verify vaccinations through the state database.
• New Jersey residents who have lost their vaccination cards should visit the state website for information on how to obtain immunization records. Out-of-state residents can find immunization records through their state health department. Tip: Take a photo of both sides of your vaccination card for your records. 

How to get the vaccine: 

• Students need both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be considered fully immunized and qualify for the incentives.  
• There are six vaccination mega sites throughout the state that accept walk-ins, including the Gloucester County Mega Vaccination Site (1400 Tanyard Road, Sewell). (Note: The Gloucester County site will close June 18.) For up-to-date information, visit the state website. 
• Rowan Medicine in Stratford also has a vaccination center that’s now accepting walk-in appointments until May 31.
• Any additional pop-up clinics on campus will be announced as they become available.
• Students who need transportation to the Gloucester County mega site can contact deanofstudents@rowan.edu

Opting out: 

• Students may opt out of the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons. Students may also opt out for personal reasons while the COVID-19 vaccine is under an emergency use authorization. Students will be required to complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Declination Form. If you’d like to see a copy of the form, click here.  
• Unvaccinated students may be subject to enhanced safety requirements while on campus, including regular surveillance testing. Unvaccinated individuals could also be subject to quarantine and isolation procedures if exposed to an individual who has tested positive. 
• Rowan will continue to offer isolation housing, as needed.  

Other public health measures:

• Rowan intends to resume in-person classes this fall as permitted by the governor’s reopening plans and evolving public health guidance. Students who cannot attend in-person classes may request accommodations through the Office of Disability Resources. Remote attendance may be considered on a case-by-case basis as an accommodation.
• Rowan University follows all state guidelines regarding mask wearing and public gatherings. Until the state issues a new mandate, everyone on campus should continue to wear a mask covering both the nose and mouth in outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible, in indoor spaces open to the public, and in indoor spaces where you’re in prolonged proximity to others.

For more questions:

Students with additional questions should contact:

• Wellness Center, 856-256-4333
• Dean of Students Office, deanofstudents@rowan.edu
• International students should contact Gokhan Alkanat, director of the International Center, alkanat@rowan.edu or 1 (856) 256-4995.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tony Lowman

Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Kevin Koett

Dean of Students/Interim Vice President for Student Life 

Questions & Answers

1. How do I register my proof of vaccination? Students must upload a copy of their vaccination cards/records to the Wellness Center’s document upload website. The Wellness Center will verify vaccinations through the state database.
2. If I am not attending in-person classes and not living on campus this fall, do I need to be vaccinated? No, but you must complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Declination Form and wear a mask when on campus. 
3. Who can opt out of getting the vaccine? While the available COVID-19 vaccines are authorized pursuant to emergency use, individuals may refuse administration of the vaccine based upon their religious beliefs, existence of a valid medical exemption, or upon the completion of Rowan’s student COVID-19 Vaccination Declination Form.  
4. If I’m not vaccinated, can I still take classes remotely for the fall 2021 semester? Rowan University intends to resume in-person classes as permitted by the governor’s reopening plans and evolving public health guidance. We encourage all students who wish to continue to remain off campus to take advantage of the expanded selection of online courses we now offer to meet your needs for increased flexibility. Students who cannot attend classes that require students to attend in person may request accommodations through the Office of Disability Resources. Remote attendance may be considered on a case-by-case basis as an accommodation.

About Incentives

1. When will I know when the incentives have been applied to my fall bill? Credits will appear on tuition and housing bills for the fall term beginning August 15. Students will be notified via email when credits are applied.
2. Will there be incentives for the spring 2022 semester as well? The incentive is for the fall 2021 semester for students who have been fully vaccinated. 
3. Does the incentive program apply to incoming freshmen and transfer students? Yes.

Getting Vaccinated

1. I’m not vaccinated yet. Where can I get information on getting a vaccine? There are currently six vaccination mega sites throughout the state that accept walk-ins. For the most up-to-date information, visit the state website. Rowan Medicine in Stratford also has a vaccination center. 
2. I received the vaccine, but lost my vaccination card. What can I do? For New Jersey residents who have lost their vaccination cards, the state website has information on how to obtain immunization records. Out-of-state residents can find immunization records through their state health department. 
3. If I am vaccinated and demonstrate proof of vaccination, will I still have to wear a mask on campus? Rowan follows all state guidelines regarding mask wearing. Until the state issues a new mandate, everyone on campus should continue to wear a mask covering both the nose and mouth in outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible, in indoor spaces open to the public, and in indoor spaces where you’re in prolonged proximity to others.
4. Can I request to live with someone who is vaccinated? Because of the confidentiality of  personal medical information, the University cannot make room assignments based on someone’s private medical history. In addition, we cannot share information relating to students’ vaccination status.
5. I’m an international student. Are there special requirements I need to meet? International students should contact Gokhan Alkanat, director of the International Center, alkanat@rowan.edu or 1 (856) 256-4995.

Staying Healthy 

1. If the majority of the student body has been vaccinated, will there still be limits on the number of students who can attend activities, such as Rowan After Hours or athletics events? Will student clubs be allowed to meet in person? Rowan will continue to follow the state’s guidelines for public gatherings.
2. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, will isolation housing still be offered for residential students? Yes. Just as the University did in the fall and last spring, Rowan will continue to offer isolation housing. That housing will be available to off-campus students, as we did in Academic Year 2020-2021.
3. Will Rowan hold any more pop-up vaccination clinics on campus? We will continue to offer vaccine clinics on campus in cooperation with the Gloucester County Department of Health. Those clinics will be announced to Rowan students as they become available.