As was recently announced and effective immediately, Wycliffe College students, staff, faculty, volunteers, and visitors are required to furnish proof of full vaccination before they will be permitted to enter the building, or to take up an off-campus student placement. Full vaccination requires a comprehensive course of Health Canada-approved or WHO-recognized vaccines, with the final shot administered on or before October 4, 2021. In the interim (from September 7–October 4) community members who are undergoing a course of vaccinations who wish to access the College or U of T campus are required to undergo rapid testing.
Exemptions to this policy will be granted—in writing, upon approval—only under validated human rights grounds. Validated human rights grounds include medical conditions that would prevent a person from receiving COVID vaccinations.*
Proof of full vaccination must be presented in person and a paper copy provided to Wycliffe College, which will be retained and securely stored for a period of time. After the presentation of such proof, a swipe card will be provided to the individual that permits access to the building. Students are asked to enter the College only on those days when they have a scheduled class, meeting, or event. Staff are asked to enter the College only on those days when they are scheduled to be in the office.
Before each visit (whether to the Wycliffe College building or to other buildings on the U of T campus) students are required to complete a U-check self-assessment. Staff will be required to complete an online self-assessment the link to which will be emailed to them each weekday.
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* To begin the process of applying for a medical exemption to this policy: students must provide a doctor’s note specifying that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to registrar@wycliffe.utoronto.ca ; staff must provide a doctor’s note specifying that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to karen.baker@wycliffe.utoronto.ca.
Those who receive written exemptions will be connected with appropriate resources to develop a reasonable accommodation plan that will include—but not be limited to—rapid testing prior to each campus visit.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why do I have to show proof of vaccination?
A: We believe this to be a reasonable requirement for the health and safety of our community. We are mindful that our building contains both classrooms and a residence to over 100 people including children. We have an obligation to protect each other, even as we ourselves might wish to be protected.
Q: What is acceptable proof of vaccination?
A: Acceptable proof of vaccination is the actual vaccination record issued by the health authority that administered the vaccine(s), in paper format or a printed photograph of such record. Note that a paper copy must be provided to Wycliffe College, which will be retained and securely stored for a period of time.
Q: Which vaccines are approved by Health Canada?
A: For an up-to-date list see: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health- products/covid19-industry/drugs-vaccines-treatments/vaccines.html
Q: Which vaccines are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO)?
A: For a list of vaccines, both approved and under evaluation, see: https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/documents/Status_COVID_VAX_19August2021.pdf
Q: When will I be asked to show such proof?
A: Students who plan to study on campus will be required to show proof of vaccination, in person, during Orientation Week. In exchange for showing such proof, they will be provided with a swipe card that will allow them access to the building at set times.
Q: Why does my final dose of the vaccine have to be administered on or before October 4, 2021?
A: In the case of two-shot vaccines, it takes two weeks following the final dose of the vaccine to fully prime your body’s immunity to the virus. If your final dose occurs on or before October 4, then you will be considered fully immunized by October 18.
Q: What are the grounds for an exemption to this policy?
A: Exemptions may be made only for those grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code, which includes confirmed medical reasons.
Q: How do I begin the process of applying for a medical exemption?
A: To begin the process of applying for a medical exemption to this policy, students must provide a doctor’s note specifying that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to registrar@wycliffe.utoronto.ca. Staff must provide a doctor’s note specifying that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to karen.baker@wycliffe.utoronto.ca
Q: Once I have my swipe card, can I enter the building at any time?
A: No. Students are asked to enter the College only on those days when they have a scheduled class, meeting, event, or are attending chapel. Staff are asked to enter the College only on those days when they are scheduled to be in the office.
Q: If I am fully vaccinated, do I still need to wear a mask in the building and complete a self-assessment before coming to the College?
A: Yes. Before each visit (whether to the Wycliffe College building or to other buildings on the UofT campus) students are required to complete a Wycliffe self-assessment and a U-check self-assessment. Staff will be required to complete an online Wycliffe self-assessment, the link to which will be emailed to them each weekday.
