SEMESTER IN THE CITY COVID POLICIES

Read our latest COVID updates and statement from our CEO, Eric Schwarz, here.

 COVID Vaccinations are Required 

College for Social Innovation will be requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for any student who wishes to participate in the Spring 2022 semester. Documentation of vaccination will be required as a prerequisite for entry into any CFSI program, unless a medical or religious waiver is approved.

There are currently three vaccines that have received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. These include the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Johnson Janssen vaccine.

• Vaccination Records 

• COVID Daily Health Checker form

• Entry Health Screening

Vaccination cards, or any other doctor’s record proving vaccination are required.

For individuals in Massachusetts, you can register for vaccination by visiting VaccineSignUp.mass.gov. You can also use VaxFinder.mass.gov to find an appointment at retail pharmacies and community health centers near you. For individuals residing in other states or countries, please visit the CDC’s informational website to help find a vaccination site. Retail pharmacies are also administering COVID-19 vaccines through the federal pharmacy partnership.

Further information about the Pfizer vaccine can be found here, the Moderna vaccine here, and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine here.

WHY IS CFSI REQUIRING VACCINATION?

High vaccine coverage is critical to preserving the health of College for Social Innovation affiliates and our partner schools, internship site staff and communities, and surrounding communities. Research continues to support the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and World Health Organization (WHO), as well as their real-world effectiveness against COVID-19. 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance takes into account the fact that COVID-19 vaccines are currently subject to Emergency Use Authorization.  Some COVID-19 vaccines may only be available to the public for the foreseeable future under Emergency Use Authorization granted by the Food and Drug Administration.  The FDA requires vaccine providers to give each individual receiving the vaccine the information contained in the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers.  CFSI complies with these obligations.

Exemptions for Disabilities and Religious Beliefs

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has advised that employers may require COVID-19 vaccinations, provided that we offer exemptions to individuals with (i) disabilities that prevent COVID-19 vaccination and (ii) sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent COVID-19 vaccination. Employers may also request that an employee provide proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination to ensure that employees have received the vaccine.  

Submit Waiver requests here.

• advised to stay home

• wait for a call from an SITC staff member.

Fellows reporting symptoms will be contacted by an SITC staff member and are also advised to contact their primary care physician. Our staff will work with you to ensure that you are connected with a medical professional to evaluate your status, we will recommend a course of action, and provide further instruction regarding follow up testing.

Students must fill out the daily symptom tracker here.

Internship and Classroom Policies

• We are following guidance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Boston Public Health Commission. As the pandemic continues to evolve, we may revise our policies and practices. Under their recommendation we are asking that all Fellows and staff get vaccinated for the seasonal flu as well. 

• Internships and COVID: 

  • Based on communication with our internship sites, at this time we expect all internships to include in person days with your host organization. For some fellows the internship will be fully in-person and for others the schedule may include working from home.  Regardless of how much of the internship is in-person, fellows will need to follow any additional COVID policies that are particular to their internship placement. 

• Courses and COVID 

  • Both of our courses will meet in person (with a virtual option for Social Innovator's Toolbox if requested by the student). Through 10/1, we will be requiring masks during in-person course sessions.

FAQ Section: 

Are students required to be vaccinated before the Fall 2021 semester?

Yes, we will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all Fellows.

Why is the CFSI requiring the vaccine?

This decision was made on the basis of expected additional state, federal and legal guidance, and vaccine availability. Evidence to date concerning the present and expected approval status as well as the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines supports our program's position. Many of you will spend Fall semester working with immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income communities. Systemic racism, classism, and xenophobia led to these communities being hardest hit by COVID. Further, many of you will be working with children who cannot yet be vaccinated. As advocates and allies, it is crucial that we do what we can to keep all communities safe, but especially those communities marginalized by racism and disparities in the healthcare system. Now that a vaccine is available, getting vaccinated is one of the most important things we can do to care for the communities in which we work.

When do I need to submit my proof of vaccination?

Please submit your proof of vaccination as soon as possible, but no later than August 1, to avoid delaying your arrival in Boston.

How do I submit my proof of vaccination?

Please complete this COVID vaccine documentation form to submit your proof of vaccination.  

What if I am completing the SITC at the University of New Hampshire, do I need to be vaccinated too?

Yes, we are requiring vaccination for SITC@UNH students given that you will be completing in-person programming with us on Friday and will have in-person requirements at your internship.

Do any exemptions exist for the vaccination requirement?

Yes CFSI will accommodate medical or religious exemptions pursuant to state and federal law. To submit an exemption, please complete the following form. 

This form includes an acknowledgement form indicating that if there is spread of COVID-19 in the cohort or community, you will follow guidelines as advised by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. 

Do international students need to be vaccinated in the U.S., or can they participate in their home country’s vaccine program?

Eligible international students should receive their COVID-19 vaccine if approved in their home country as soon as possible. CFSI is awaiting guidance from state and federal authorities on scenarios where students receive vaccines not approved by the U.S. If you have received a vaccine that is not approved in the U.S. please indicate that on your COVID Proof of Vaccination Form.  A staff member will reach out to you with further guidance. 

Are CFSI faculty and staff required to be vaccinated as well?

CFSI strongly encourages and recommends that all faculty and staff be fully vaccinated before the start of the fall semester. As of July 15th 2021 all CFSI faculty and staff are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. 

What if I cannot access approved vaccines where I live?

After reviewing state and federal updates, CFSI expects all eligible students in the United States should have the opportunity to be fully vaccinated before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.

Where can I get vaccinated?

You can also use VaxFinder.mass.gov to find an appointment at retail pharmacies and community health centers near you. For individuals residing in other states or countries, please visit the CDC’s informational website to help find a vaccination site. Retail pharmacies are also administering COVID-19 vaccines through the federal pharmacy partnership.

Will my enrollment deposit be refunded if I choose not to enroll because of the vaccine requirement?

Yes, you will be issued a refund if you decline fall admission before September 7th 2021. It is important to remember that most colleges and universities will have similar requirements for the fall semester.

Will I be charged a cancellation fee if I opt out of on-campus housing because of the vaccine requirement?

CFSI encourages you to not cancel your on-campus housing or withdraw from the program if you are unsure of your decision to be vaccinated for the fall semester. It is important to remember that most colleges and universities will have similar requirements for the fall semester. Students who choose not to be vaccinated and withdraw must do so in writing before move-in on Sep 7th. 

If I’m part of the cohort, how will I know if my peers are vaccinated or have an exemption?

Since the COVID-19 vaccine is required for all students participating in any part of program and community life, all students will have shown proof of vaccination or received an exemption. Medical or religious exemptions are not publicly disclosed.

What happens if I do not get my COVID-19 vaccine by the beginning of the semester?

Those who are not vaccinated will not be allowed to complete programming. Students will be required to verify proof of vaccination (or receive an exemption) with our staff before coming to Boston to attend classes, participate in activities or live in CFSI housing this fall. Submission of documentation is the first part of the process, followed by a review and verification – a process that can take up to two weeks.

Will face coverings still be required?

State public health guidance regarding the use of face coverings will continue to inform CFSI’s policy regarding masks/face coverings. Effective May 29, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a new mask advisory consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance. Masks are still mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.

Fellows with an exemption from vaccination or who have received the vaccine shot, but the proper time has not elapsed will need to wear masks at all CFSI events taking place indoors.

Will asymptomatic surveillance testing be required?  Will weekly testing still be required for residents?

Asymptomatic surveillance testing will be required for individuals who are fully vaccinated in the Fall 2021 semester.

How can I sign up for a vaccination?

CFSI encourages you to visit VaxFinder.mass.gov to find an appointment at retail pharmacies and community health centers near you.

Where can I learn more about the COVID vaccine?

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website or the CDC website.

Who can I contact with more questions?

Please email sitc@collegeforsocialinnovation.org and our staff will answer your questions.