Exemptions
Pursuant to Executive Order 2021-22, issued by Governor JB Pritzker on September 3, 2021, students, faculty and staff of higher education institutions are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Individuals who are not able to be vaccinated and are not able to participate in the on-campus testing program cannot be on campus or at a university-affiliated location off campus.
Testing Exemptions
If you are not fully vaccinated, even with an approved vaccine exemption, you are required to participate in the mandatory weekly testing. For more information visit the Tests & Screenings webpage. Individuals are exempt from weekly testing if any of the following applies:
- Fully Vaccinated: Individuals who are fully vaccinated with a university-verified record are not required to test.
- Online and Off-Campus: Students who are taking a fully online class schedule as identified in Cougar Net, AND do not plan to work on campus, utilize on-campus services or attend on-campus activities, are not required to test.
- Fully Remote: Higher education personnel who have a current approved remote work agreement on file with Human Resources to work a fully remote schedule are also not required to test.
- Temporary Campus Absence (Students Only): Students who will be away from campus for a full week may submit a temporary campus absence request request for the following reasons:
- No classes/activities scheduled on campus this week and do not reside in University Housing (likely due to change in course modality or hybrid schedule)
- Vacation, illness, death in family or other personal reason
- Currently in isolation or quarantine for COVID-19
COVID-related Exemption
Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days or are actively in quarantine or isolation may receive a short-term exemption from testing.
- Currently in isolation/quarantine for COVID-19 should submit a COVID-19 Self-Report.
- Previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days should submit a COVID-19 Self-Report at AND STUDENTS should submit a COVID-related testing exemption request after signing into SIUE Office 365 account at (allow 48 business hours for response).
Vaccine Exemptions
Individuals may seek exemption from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if any of the following applies.
- Medical exemption: vaccination is medically contraindicated, including any individual who is entitled to an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act or any other law applicable to a disability-related reasonable accommodation. See request form for medical exemption for more information.
- Religious exemption: vaccination would require the individual to violate or forgo a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. See request form for religious exemption for more information.
Even with an approved vaccine exemption, you are required to participate in the mandatory weekly testing. For more information visit the Tests & Screenings webpage.
