As you prepare to begin your classes in January for the Spring 2022 semester, it is important for you to be in compliance with a State of Illinois mandate concerning mandatory vaccination for COVID-19, and the University’s mandatory Interim Policy for Students and Employees on COVID-19. We invite you to learn more about both, as well as view FAQs about them, on theses page.
All students regardless of vaccination status are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours before returning to campus and upload their results to MedProctor.com.
The vaccination mandate does not apply to students who attend class exclusively remotely; however, those students may not attend campus events or use campus amenities without complying with the vaccine mandate. If you wish to change your enrollment to exclusively remote classes, please consult your academic advisor as soon as possible.
Also, exemptions to the vaccine mandate are available to those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons; students seeking such an exemption should contact the Office of the Registrar. However, students who obtain such an exemption still must comply with the mandatory weekly testing requirements set forth below. Detailed instructions are provided below, but a summary of the mandate is provided here:
- • Students shall submit proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 via MedProctor as soon as possible, and are expected to be fully vaccinated no later than March 17. “Fully vaccinated” means that two weeks have passed since the final COVID-19 vaccine dose required was administered.
- • To demonstrate proof of full vaccination, each student is required to upload an image of their COVID-19 vaccination card to MedProctor. A student will not be considered “fully vaccinated” until two weeks have passed since their last required shot (i.e., two weeks after the single dose of a one-dose vaccine or two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine).
- • Until a student submits proof of full vaccination, the student must take a mandatory COVID-19 test weekly and submit proof of a negative test result weekly.
- • Free testing is available on campus; on-campus test results will be delivered directly to the University.
- • If a student chooses to test off campus, the student must upload the negative test result weekly via MedProctor. The University is not responsible for the cost of off-campus testing.
If you have lost your COVID-19 card, The Illinois Department of Public Health immunization portal will allow residents to access their COVID-19 vaccination record online.
Failure to follow the required safety procedures, including the posted procedures for COVID 19, or failure to comply with University guidance regarding COVID-19 safety procedures, are violations of the Student Code of Conduct (Policy 4 Student Conduct Policy) and may subject students to disciplinary action which may include removal from a class and removal from campus. Students are required to self-report a diagnosis of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, difficulty breathing) by using the COVID-19 Reporting Form found on the COVID-19 webpage. Students are also responsible for notifying their instructors of their absence, by completing the Student Absence Notification to Faculty form so that appropriate course completion arrangements can be made.
1. COVID-19 Vaccination
Submit your vaccination record online:
Take a clear picture or scan of your official COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card and upload it to your MedProctor account. Those who are only partially vaccinated will need to upload another image of their vaccination card after receiving the second dose, if required. NOTE: Use your GSU email when registering.
Students must have received their first dose of their chosen vaccination by February 1, 2022. For those receiving a two-dose vaccine, they must have completed the full dosing requirements within thirty days of the date of the first dose. For example, a student who received the first dose on February 1 must receive a second dose by March 3. Such a student will be considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after the second dose, or by March 17. Those who are not fully vaccinated must participate in mandatory weekly testing until fully vaccinated. Details on testing are found in item #2 below.
Need Help Finding a Vaccination Site?
COVID-19 Vaccinations are available state-wide, by appointment and walk-in. Find a vaccination site near you.
2. Mandatory Weekly COVID-19 Testing
Anyone who has not submitted proof of full vaccination via step one above, including those granted an exemption due to health or religious reasons, is required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test on a weekly basis. Students may test for free on campus and their test results will be delivered directly to the University. Those wishing to test off campus must submit their test results via MedProctor. Testing compliance is measured on a weekly basis, measured from Sunday to Saturday. Thus, students who are not fully vaccinated must submit proof of their first negative COVID-19 test by Saturday, January 22, reflecting the results of a test taken within the past seven (7) days.
A student who does not submit a negative test result for any given week will receive a written notification of that missed test by the following Friday. Such a student will have until the following Tuesday to submit proof that a test was taken during the week in question.
3. Non-Compliance Student for COVID-19 Protocols
If the student does not submit proof vaccine or test weekly, the University will take the following steps to ensure compliance. Each “offense” means the failure to demonstrate proof that a test was taken on a weekly basis. If a student fails to test two weeks in a row, for example, such student will receive both a warning letter for the first offense, and a $25 fine and be placed on compliance probation for the second offense.
Interventions
First Offense: Warning Letter
Second Offense: $25 fine and compliance probation
Third Offense: $25 fine and account holds (registration and grades)
Appeals
Appeals of any intervention must be submitted by email to provost@govst.edu within two (2) business days of the intervention issue date.
SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 Testing
Governors State offers weekly SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 testing at NO COST TO EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS. Test administrators will be available during the following days and times below. Please note, administrators will only be available in the Hall of Honors on Mondays.
- • On campus test dates and times can be found below
To get registered for the test, individuals should create an account on the MySHIELD portal and schedule their test appointment. Please visit the SHIELD Illinois portal website and:
- • Click on “Sign up for an Account”
- • Enter the Agency Code: 6b6d61wa
- • Follow the prompts to create your portal account
On the day of testing, please bring a photo ID and the QR code provided when you scheduled your appointment. To ensure the highest quality samples, individuals should not eat, drink (including water), chew gum, smoke, or use tobacco products for 60 minutes before providing a saliva sample.
SHIELD COVID-19 Test Results
For students who test on-campus with SHIELD, results will be automatically reported to the University. In order to use on-campus testing, students must agree to submit their test results to the University electronically by submitting the GSU COVID-19 Testing Consent Form. We recommend filling out this form before your first test appointment online in your myGSU student portal. Forms will be available to complete in person at the testing site. Once the consent form is submitted, there are no additional actions you need to take to submit your weekly test results. You need only submit the consent form one time and it will apply to all future tests taken on campus.
Off-Campus COVID-19 Test Results
If you are testing off-campus and have received your test results, upload them to your MedProctor account. NOTE: Use your GSU email when registering with MedProctor.