COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for OU Employees

As of Dec. 7, 2021, a federal judge has blocked enforcement of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement that applies to federal contractors. The university’s efforts to comply with this federal vaccine requirement are suspended until further notice.


You can read the university's communication here.

Purpose

On Sept. 9, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order mandating COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees, federal contractors, and other identified individuals. After a careful legal assessment, it has been determined the order applies to Oklahoma research universities – including the University of Oklahoma – and their employees. We are obligated to adhere to the order. If we do not comply, OU runs the risk of losing hundreds of millions of dollars each year in federal funding for the life-changing research, education, and services we provide. Because of this federal mandate, and after thorough examination and consultation with government, medical, and public health officials, OU will require COVID-19 vaccination for all employees.

Who Must Comply?

To follow the federal requirement, all OU employees – including people appointed in HR PeopleSoft as faculty; staff; undergraduate and graduate student employees; part-time, temporary, and PEAK employees; scholars, research scholars, and associate research scholars; and graduate research and teaching assistants – must be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022, with a WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccine.

This requirement does not impact students who are not OU employees, and it does not include COVID-19 boosters. If an employee believes that health or religious reasons prevent them from receiving a vaccine, they will be allowed to submit a request for an accommodation. To meet the Jan. 4 deadline, employees are encouraged to begin the vaccination process quickly, as some vaccine protocols take several weeks for full vaccination. 

Proof of Vaccination & Accommodations

As recently announced, the University of Oklahoma must comply with the federal executive order mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for federal employees, federal contractors, and other identified individuals. The deadline for employees to be fully vaccinated is Jan. 4, 2022. You may find details about this federal requirement here.


Vaccination Availability

OU administers Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines free of charge, and vaccines are also readily available at area pharmacies and health clinics. Campus-specific information is available below for individuals seeking vaccines.

Norman Campus

Health Sciences Center

OU-Tulsa

Questions?

To learn more about OU's COVID-19 response, visit the OU Together site: ou.edu/together.

For more information, please review our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement FAQs . You may also submit inquiries to OU Human Resources at vaccine@ou.edu.

To read President Harroz's 10/29/2021 email, click here.


OU COVID-19 Screening & Reporting Tool

Norman Campus:

To learn about when you need to complete the online screening and reporting tool for the Norman campus, visit this site.

Norman Screening & Reporting Tool

 

Health Sciences Center (HSC) Campus:

To learn about the HSC Campus Return Plan and when to complete the online screening and reporting tool, click here.

OKC HSC Employees should complete the OUH COVID-19 Screening Tool Form located here: https://covid19screening.oumedicine.com

OKC HSC students should complete this Screening Tool Form:  https://covidreporting.ouhsc.edu

 

OU-Tulsa Campus:

To learn more about the OU-Tulsa Response Plan, visit this site.

 

Resources for OU Employees

Resources for OU Employees
The university recognizes COVID-19 has changed all our lives and some employees may need assistance. 

General Family Resources:
Oklahoma Food Resources
211 Community Resources

Here are some resources to help families with children:

Helping Kids Manage During the Pandemic flyer
Child Care and High-Quality Educational Resources for OU Families
Visiting and Interviewing Potential Providers
Rainbow Fleet Child Care Services

Resources for families with elders who need care:
Additional Family Support: Elder Care
Bright Horizons Elder Care

Emails from Human Resources:
Day Care Email to OU Employees
Follow-Up Day Care Email to OU Employees

Remote Work Policy & Plan

The university has a Remote Work Policy and Plan. The university has implemented an updated version of its pre-pandemic telecommuting plan, now known as the Remote Work Plan. Permission to work remotely will be granted on a limited basis at the discretion of supervisors, and only with the approval of deans and vice presidents.

Click here to read the updated Remote Work Policy and Plan. 

Mental Wellness & Well-Being Resources

Taking care of yourself during this trying time is very important. View the OU Human Resources Employee Assistance Program webpage to learn about resources for a myriad of employee services. 

OU Magellan Employee Assistance Program 

Questions?

Please keep in mind circumstances remain fluid and the university will continue to monitor the public health situation, adapting as appropriate.

Employees who may qualify for accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act or have a medical reason to work remotely may contact the Norman Human Resources Leave Administrator:

Vanessa Llach: VanessaLlach@ou.edu

Also, please note that any faculty and staff who had existing Telecommuting Agreements on file PRIOR to the onset of the pandemic will need to complete a new Remote Work Plan and receive requisite approvals on the date their existing Telecommuting Agreement expires.

For other questions, contact Human Resources at ohr@ou.edu. 

Contact Us

COVID-19 Documents for Hiring Managers
CORONAVIRUS CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
CORONAVIRUS EMAIL FOR HIRING MANAGERS_03122020
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
2 Results Results