Recent Program Features

Attachments:

• Employee Attestation How To
• Testing Consent Form How To
• Work Authorization File Submission How To
• Vaccine Policy FAQ

Dear Mavericks,

Starting Sept. 8, the Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) COVID-19 Proof of Vaccine and Testing policy goes into effect. This policy states all state employees who are assigned to work at a workplace or otherwise provide agency services outside their home are required to either provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of weekly testing. Today’s message provides instructions on how Minnesota State University, Mankato is operationalizing this new policy. We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Minnesota State system has developed a systemwide proof of vaccine and proof of testing management tool that will allow you to provide your proof of vaccination or weekly testing results. The instructions for using this tool are attached to this message, and also in this video. Also attached to this message is the Minnesota State policy FAQ.

Accessing the Tool

You may access the VaxTrak tool using your StarID and password. Link to VaxTrak: https://forms.office.com/r/7P1Z6xT2u0

Once logged in, you will either complete an attestation form and provide proof of vaccination, or if you indicate you have not been vaccinated you will be asked to complete the Testing Consent Form. You will be scheduled for weekly testing by Human Resources which will provide instructions for you.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is outlined on page three of the MMB policy. If you lost your vaccination card or don’t have a copy, contact your vaccination provider directly to access your record, or alternatively you can get a copy through the state health department’s immunization information system (IIS) through the  CDC website. Vaccination providers are required to report COVID-19 vaccinations to their state’s IIS. 

Weekly Testing Process

You only need to sign the Testing Consent Form once; it will apply during the entire time that mandatory testing under HR/LR Policy # 1446 is in effect. If you wish to rescind your consent after signing the form, you must do so in writing and submit it to Human Resources at hr@mnsu.edu.

We are currently in the process of identifying ongoing weekly testing options and discussing a variety of options with local providers.  Details about the testing protocol will be shared once they are finalized early next week.

Testing will occur during work hours and be considered work time. Once you have tested, you are permitted to come to work while you are waiting for your results. Some tests can take up to 72 hours to receive results.

What if I receive a positive COVID-19 test result?

If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, you must go home or stay home, and follow the current Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. You also must promptly call the Campus Reporting Hotline at (507) 389-2030 and report your absence to your supervisor. Your supervisor will determine if your duties temporarily can be performed through telework. If they cannot, you must take leave. You may contact HR to determine what type of leave you may be eligible to use.

If you have questions, please contact HR or your supervisor, or visit the  Frequently Asked Questions page of the Coronavirus and the Campus Community website. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our colleagues, workplaces and students safe.

Sincerely,

Edward S. Inch
President

Greetings, Mavericks!

Today brings a close to our first full week of in-person classes and campus events for the majority of our University community since March 2020. The energy and excitement was palpable. I enjoyed meeting many of you throughout the week as I explored campus and stopped by the various events occurring in the Centennial Student Union and outside on the Mall.

Last week I communicated a number of actions that have been put in place so we can remain in community this semester: requiring masks in all indoor spaces, proof of vaccination or testing requirement for employees, student workers, and graduate assistants, as well as for students who live in campus residence halls or participate in select campus programs and activities. These efforts remain in effect.

Additional details about the implementation of the student requirement will be provided as we approach the Oct. 4 implementation date. In the meantime, if you have received a COVID-19 vaccine and want to update your medical record with the University, you may do so through the Student Health Services patient portal. If you have questions, please call 507-389-6276. 

I know that during times of change and uncertainty, many questions are raised and assumptions made. For example, this week I heard some chatter that we are preparing to pivot to all online in October. Let me be clear, we have every intention of continuing our in-person experiences in and outside the classroom for the foreseeable future.

We do our best to share information as soon as possible in this very dynamic and ever-changing environment. Know that you will hear from me directly if there are any broad changes to our University operations. We also always post the most recent information on the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Coronavirus and the Campus Community website. And, you can email provost@mnsu.edu if questions remain.

I want to thank you for one of the best weeks of my professional career. It has been a pure delight being here with you this week.

Enjoy your upcoming weekend. And, Go Mavs!

Edward S. Inch, Ph.D.
President

Greetings, Mavericks!

Today brings a close to our first full week of in-person classes and campus events for the majority of our University community since March 2020. The energy and excitement was palpable. I enjoyed meeting many of you throughout the week as I explored campus and stopped by the various events occurring in the Centennial Student Union and outside on the Mall.

Last week I communicated a number of actions that have been put in place so we can remain in community this semester: requiring masks in all indoor spaces, proof of vaccination or testing requirement for employees, student workers, and graduate assistants, as well as for students who live in campus residence halls or participate in select campus programs and activities. These efforts remain in effect.

The Minnesota State system is in the final stages of building out a system-wide technology solution that will assist campuses in tracking both COVID-19 vaccination attestations as well as weekly testing for employees. This solution will be used across all campuses and at the System Office. More instructions on how to utilize the technology tool and the testing protocols will be shared prior to the Sept. 8 effective date. In the meantime, please review the attached Vaccine Policy FAQ which provides clarification on the policy implementation.

As an aside, a very special “shout out” to Vice President Mark Johnson and the entire IT Solutions team here at Minnesota State Mankato for leading the system effort on the development of this tool. Your expertise and partnership were specifically noted by the Vice Chancellor of Information Technology. Well done!

I know that during times of change and uncertainty, many questions are raised and assumptions made. For example, this week I heard there is some chatter that we are preparing to pivot to all online in October. Let me be clear, we have every intention of continuing our in-person experiences in and outside the classroom for the foreseeable future.

We do our best to share information as soon as possible in this very dynamic and ever-changing environment. Know that you will hear from me directly if there are any broad changes to our University operations. We also always post the most recent information on the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Coronavirus and the Campus Community website. And, you can email provost@mnsu.edu if questions remain.

I want to thank you for one of the best weeks of my professional career. It has been a pure delight being here with you this week.

Enjoy your upcoming weekend. And, Go Mavs!

Edward S. Inch, Ph.D.
President

Greetings, Maverick Community.

As we prepare to welcome students back to campus and to our classrooms next week, I wanted to reach out to share a few important messages with our dedicated faculty and staff.

First, thank you for the warm welcome this week. It was great to see so many of you at convocation on Monday; if you weren’t able to make it in person or to watch the live stream, I’d encourage you to watch the video.

I also want to follow up on the messages that have come out in the past couple of weeks regarding pandemic-related policy changes on campus. As you know, we are now requiring masks in all indoor public spaces. That requirement will remain in effect until further notice. We will be able to remove it when our county transmission levels return to low or moderate for 14 consecutive days. We monitor the CDC COVID Data Tracker daily and will share any changes with the campus community.

Last week we shared initial information about the Governor’s new Proof of Vaccination/Testing policy for state employees. Earlier today, we received notice from Chancellor Malhotra that a similar policy will begin on October 4^th for students who live in campus residence halls or participate in select campus programs and activities. Many questions about how these policies will be implemented remain unanswered, but I want to assure you that we are working here and with our colleagues at the system office to figure out the details. To frame the need for COVID-19 weekly employee testing on campus, we will be conducting an anonymous survey next week. More will be known in the next few weeks, and I will share that with you as soon as possible.

I know that many other questions have come up recently, including whether or not we will be implementing social distance guidelines again, if faculty can remove their masks to give lectures and what the quarantine requirements are this year. We’ve added answers to these and other questions on the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Coronavirus and the Campus Community website. We’ll continue to update that content, so please check back if you have a question.

I continue to encourage everyone to get their vaccination, and remember Minnesota residents can receive $100 if they receive their first shot before Aug. 22 through the Governor’s incentive program.

It’s been great to see the students moving back into our residence halls and off-campus housing this week. I’m looking forward to seeing them—and all of you—out and about on campus this fall.

Here’s to a great start of the semester!

Edward S. Inch, Ph.D.

President