Dear Members of the TC Community,
Last week, we wrote to you about the process for submitting proof of vaccination to fulfill the College’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement for new and returning students, faculty, staff and TC housing affiliates. Thank you to everyone who has completed TC’s Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Form – more than 1,100 individuals have uploaded their documentation so far! Please upload your proof of vaccination as soon as possible if you haven’t done so already.
As communicated previously, the College will allow for medical and religious exemptions from TC’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, in accordance with New York State public health laws. We write today to communicate the process for requesting a medical or religious exemption.
How to Submit a Request for a Religious or Medical Exemption
Students, faculty, staff, and TC housing affiliates who cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 because of a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance may request an exemption through the College. Exemptions or reasonable accommodations are not guaranteed. Personal and philosophical reasons for not getting vaccinated are insufficient, and requests of this nature will be denied.
Individuals who wish to apply for a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination must complete and submit the applicable exemption request form(s) below at least 15 business days prior to the day of planned campus access.
Religious Exemption Forms
Request for Religious Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccine Form for Students
Request for Religious Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccine Form for Employees/TC Housing Affiliates
Medical Exemption Forms
Request for Medical Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination Form for Students
Request for Medical Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccine Form for Employees/TC Housing Affiliates
Completed forms for a medical or religious exemption must be uploaded into the secure TC COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Request Form. This form may be accessed when you are logged into your myTC account, either from your smartphone or personal computer. The form is also available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement page of TC’s Preparedness site.
Processing of Religious & Medical Exemption Requests
Designated offices will review requests for religious and medical exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccination.
- The Office of Student Health & Wellness will process forms requesting medical and religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination for students.
- The Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID) will process forms requesting medical exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccination for employees and TC housing affiliates.
- The Office of the Vice President for Diversity & Community Affairs (ODCA) will process forms requesting religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination for employees and TC housing affiliates.
Each request will be carefully reviewed according to the established guidelines and contraindications for approved COVID-19 vaccinations.
Please allow at least 15 business days for your request to be processed. After your request has been reviewed and processed, you will be notified, in writing, if an exemption has been granted or denied. The decision is final and not subject to appeal. Individuals are permitted to reapply if new documentation and information should become available.
Please direct questions regarding exemption requests to: covidstudentcare@tc.columbia.
Additional information about the process for requesting a religious and medical exemption process is available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement page of TC’s Preparedness website. If you have additional questions about TC’s plans for returning to campus this fall, please contact returntocampus@tc.edu.
Sincerely,
Lisa Seales
Vice President for Administration
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Working Group
Hank Perkowski
Vice President for Finance and Operations
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Working Group