COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs
What has been decided?
Lincoln University has decided to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations as a requirement for all students, staff, contractors, tenants and visitors to access campus, including all other university-owned farms and properties, from 14 February 2022.
This has been a carefully deliberated decision taken by the Senior Leadership Team and Council and reflects the University’s firm belief that the health and safety of our community come first.
It is underpinned by a detailed risk assessment and consultation with students, staff, contractors and tenants, which had the support of a majority of the Lincoln community.
Requiring vaccination for campus access is a significant step for the University towards maintaining a safe environment for students and staff to learn, teach and work in, and provides a balanced measure of certainty that we can remain open regardless of the level of the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system).
From when?
From 14 February 2022, students, staff, contractors, tenants and visitors who intend on coming to campus must be fully vaccinated, or have a government exemption, and hold a valid My Vaccine Pass.
The decision will be reviewed in six months, on 1 June 2022.
Being fully vaccinated not only offers protection from the harmful effects of the virus but also enables students and staff to participate in on-campus activities. Being on campus is such an important part of the student university experience. We aim to ensure students have access to the exceptional on-campus experience and high-quality education they have come to expect from Lincoln University in a safe environment.
It also reassures staff of far less disruption in not having to move in and out of the Red traffic light setting and potentially alleviates some of the associated workloads.
Choosing to be vaccinated is very much a personal choice. We are aware that for some people this might not be the easiest choice to make. Lincoln University is committed to supporting both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff and students and will be working closely on an individual basis leading up to 14 February 2022 to ensure the best study, work and research outcomes are achieved.
Support for students
A process to verify vaccine passes is being worked through by the University and will be confirmed closer to 14 February 2022.
We understand that some students may not hold a My Vaccine Pass and will be concerned about what this means for their course choices, academic progress, qualification completion and access to campus.
To help guide students we have assigned a COVID Student Experience Team (CSET) to coordinate and ensure your questions, concerns and needs are addressed in a fair, timely and personalised manner.
If you are worried about what this means for you next year, we encourage you to contact a CSET advisor via email at: [email protected].
Please provide your Student ID (if known), full name, programme of study and detail of your concern.
What happens next?
- A COVID Student Experience Team (CSET) advisor will be assigned to communicate with you and help to assess and offer solutions to meet your concerns. They will respond to your email within 24 hours, Mon-Fri, 8.30 am -4.30 pm
- At the start, you will be asked if you have any concerns around confidentiality that should be considered before we establish the best approach to supporting your needs
- Your advisor will be there to support you throughout the entire process
- If your concern requires input from another area of the University, your assigned CSET advisor will take responsibility for sourcing the response or refer you to another staff member who can assist
- If your concern relates to course selection and qualification completion, your concern will be referred to an Academic Programme Manager for appropriate guidance
- If you have asked for your information to be kept confidential, information will not be shared outside of CSET without your permission
Frequently asked questions
A set of frequently asked questions, see below, has been created to help answer any questions you may have. This includes links to reliable sources of information and access to support. This is a working document that will be added to as more information comes to hand and further decisions are made.
General FAQs
Lincoln University has decided to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations as a requirement for all students, staff, contractors, tenants and visitors to access campus, including all other university-owned farms and properties, from 14 February 2022.
It will apply to anyone who chooses to come onto the University’s campus or take part in face-to-face learning, teaching, research, events/ceremonies, sports events and activities, or social activities on campus. This includes students, staff, tenants, visitors and contractors.
Guidelines for valid vaccination exemption can be found here.
All students, staff, contractors, tenants and visitors will require a valid My Vaccine Pass to access campus from 14 February 2022.
This has been carefully deliberated decision taken by the Senior Management Group (SMG) and Council and reflects the University’s firm belief that the health and safety of our community come first.
It is underpinned by a detailed risk assessment and university-wide consultation with students, staff contractors and tenants, which had the support of a majority of the Lincoln community.
Requiring vaccination for campus access is a significant step for the University towards maintaining a safe environment for students and staff to learn, teach and work in, and provides a balanced measure of certainty that we can remain open regardless of the level of the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system).
Choosing to be vaccinated is very much a personal choice. We are aware that for some people this might not be the easiest choice to make. Lincoln University is committed to supporting both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff and students and will be working closely on an individual basis leading up to 14 February 2022 to ensure the best study, research and work outcomes are achieved.
Lincoln University is not forcing anyone to be vaccinated and respects everyone’s right of choice. However, anyone wishing to access campus will need to hold a valid My Vaccine Pass.
We are aware that for some people this might not be the easiest choice to make. Lincoln University is committed to supporting both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff and students and will be working closely on an individual basis leading up to 14 February 2022 to ensure the best study, work and research outcomes are achieved.
The following health and safety protocols will continue to apply to all students, staff, contractors, tenants and visitors
Physical distancing: Reduce close contact with strangers. Keep a distance of two metres from people you don’t know when out in social spaces. Keep a distance of one metre, where practicable, in controlled spaces such as offices, lecture rooms, labs and work areas.
Scan, scan, scan: All students, staff and visitors are required to scan the QR codes when moving about campus. This includes buildings, teaching rooms, meeting rooms and all on-campus facilities including social spaces and eating areas. Check that Bluetooth is enabled on the app.
Wear a mask. All students and staff are strongly encouraged to bring and wear their masks as they move about campus, especially where physical distancing is not practicable. For example in confined spaces with colleagues or students such as in meetings, interviews, in lifts, stairwells, labs, teaching rooms, etc. Masks must be worn in campus facilities such as Mrs O’s, the Bookshop and Canon Printshop, and the Student Health Centre.
These details will be confirmed leading up to 14 February 2022.
The Government has provided guidance and information about getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you have an underlying health condition or are taking medication.
You can also apply for an exemption. People who have medical exemptions are issued with a My Vaccine Pass.
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The University will review the decision in six months, on 1 June 2022.
The Government has mandated that certain roles in health and disability, education and corrections must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Details on the amended COVID-19 Vaccination Order can be found here.
Additional links include:
The Ministry of Health has details on how you can get a My Vaccine Pass if you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccination overseas.
For students
You will need a valid My Vaccine Pass to access campus. Choosing to be vaccinated is very much a personal choice. We are keenly aware that for some people this might not be the easiest choice to make. Lincoln University is committed to supporting both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff and students.
If you choose to remain unvaccinated you may be concerned about the effect this decision has on your course choices, academic progress, qualification completion and access to campus.
To help guide you, we have assigned a COVID Student Experience Team (CSET) to coordinate and ensure your questions, concerns and needs are addressed in a fair, timely and personalised manner.
If you are worried about what this means for you next year, we encourage you to contact a CSET advisor via email at: [email protected].
Please provide your Student ID (If known), full name, programme of study and detail of your need.
Lincoln University is committed to supporting both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff and students.
If you choose to remain unvaccinated you may be concerned about the effect this decision has on your course choices, academic progress, qualification completion and access to campus.
To help guide you, we have assigned a COVID Student Experience Team (CSET) to coordinate and ensure your questions, concerns and needs are addressed in a fair, timely and personalised manner.
If you are worried about what this means for you next year, we encourage you to contact a CSET advisor via email at: [email protected].
Please provide your Student ID (if known), full name, programme of study and detail of your need.
Lincoln University is committed to providing an environment which is free from harassment, where students are treated with dignity and respect. The university has zero-tolerance for harassment and considers any form of harassment to be unacceptable.
If you are experiencing bullying or harassment, we have staff ready to help make contact with our Wellbeing Manager or our Wellbeing Advisors at [email protected] or call us on 021 589 475.
One of the Lincoln Wellbeing team will arrange a time to meet you and have a confidential discussion about any issues you are experiencing.
You can also contact:
- Kairuruku Māori: Email [email protected] or ph/txt: 021 141 2361
- Kairuruku Pasifika: Email [email protected] or ph/txt: 022 088 6715
- LU International Advisors: Email [email protected]. Dee Hannam, ph/txt: 021 246 5233 or Denise Pelvin, ph/txt: 027 669 9248
- LUSA Voice and Advocacy: Email [email protected] or ph: 03 423 0582
We are here to support you.
Make contact with our Wellbeing Manager or our Wellbeing Advisors at [email protected] or call us on 021 589 475.
One of the Lincoln Wellbeing team will arrange a time to meet you and have a confidential discussion about any issues you are experiencing.
You can also contact:
- Kairuruku Māori: Email [email protected] or ph/txt: 021 141 2361
- Kairuruku Pasifika: Email [email protected] or ph/txt: 022 088 6715
- LU International Advisors: Email [email protected]. Dee Hannam, ph/txt: 021 246 5233 or Denise Pelvin, ph/txt: 027 669 9248
- LUSA Voice and Advocacy: Email [email protected] or ph: 03 423 0582
Yes, a My Vaccine Pass will be required to live in the Halls. If you are a halls residential student you will be receiving more information shortly on the steps you will need to follow.
A process to verify vaccine passes is being worked through by the University and will be confirmed closer to 14 February 2022.
We understand that some students who choose to remain unvaccinated may be concerned about the effect this decision has on course choices, academic progress, qualification completion and access to campus.
To help guide you, we have assigned a COVID Student Experience Team (CSET) to coordinate and ensure your questions, concerns and needs are addressed in a fair, timely and personalised manner.
If you are worried about what this means for you in completing your studies, we encourage you to contact a CSET advisor via email at: [email protected].
Please provide your Student ID, full name, programme of study and detail of your concern.
What happens next?
- A COVID Student Experience Team( CSET) advisor will be assigned to communicate with you and help to assess and offer solutions to meet your concerns. They will respond to your email within 24 hours, Mon-Fri, 8.30-4.30pm
- At the start, you will be asked if you have any concerns around confidentiality that should be considered before we establish the best approach to supporting your needs
- Your advisor will be there to support you throughout the entire process
- If your concern requires input from another area of the University, your assigned CSET advisor will take responsibility for sourcing the response or refer you to another staff member who can assist
- If your concern relates to course selection and qualification completion, your concern will be referred to an Academic Programme Manager for appropriate guidance
- If you have asked for your information to be kept confidential, information will not be shared outside of CSET without your permission
Being vaccinated is a personal choice and Lincoln University recognises that there will be some research students who choose to remain unvaccinated, and who may not hold a My Vaccine Pass.
Lincoln University is adopting a case-by-case approach to determine how we can best support you. You will need to contact your supervisor to discuss what options are available to continue your research without coming onto campus where a My Vaccine Pass will be required.
Lincoln University has encouraged supervisors to keep regular contact with research students and to inform their Dean of Faculty or Director of Centre, regarding the possible impact of COVID-19 on their students’ research progression.
To help guide you, we have assigned a COVID Student Experience Team (CSET) to coordinate and ensure your questions, concerns and needs are addressed in a fair, timely and personalised manner.
If you are worried about what this means for you in completing your studies, we encourage you to contact a CSET advisor via email at: [email protected].
Please provide your Student ID (if known), full name, programme of study and detail of your concern.
What happens next?
- A COVID Student Experience Team( CSET) advisor will be assigned to communicate with you and help to assess and offer solutions to meet your concerns. They will respond to your email within 24 hours, Mon-Fri, 8.30-4.30pm
- At the start, you will be asked if you have any concerns around confidentiality that should be considered before we establish the best approach to supporting your needs
- Your advisor will be there to support you throughout the entire process
- If your concern requires input from another area of the University, your assigned CSET advisor will take responsibility for sourcing the response or refer you to another staff member who can assist
- If your concern relates to course selection and qualification completion, your concern will be referred to an Academic Programme Manager for appropriate guidance
- If you have asked for your information to be kept confidential, information will not be shared outside of CSET without your permission
Yes, your course fees paid for the semester will be refunded if you are unable to continue studying without a My Vaccine Pass.
My Vaccine Passes will not be needed to access the Student Health Centre and the Wellbeing Team, as they are classified as essential services.
Under the traffic light system, for campus retail and hospitality outlets (including our recreational facility) to remain open, proof of vaccination will be required upon entry. Staff, students, visitors, contractors and tenants visiting any of the places listed below will need a My Vaccine Pass to enter.
The vaccine pass will be verified on entry at each location using the NZ verifier app.
-
- Te Kete Ika, Mrs O’s
- Whare Hākinakina LU Gym
- The Bookshop
- The Canon Print Shop
- Grounded café – although this is closed for now, and will only reopen at the end of January 2022
All on-campus events including gatherings, seminars and conferences etc. will require My Vaccine Passes for entry.
COVID-19 information for Māori students:
- https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/whakamahia/covid-19-information-for-maori
- https://www.fightforyourwhakapapa.co.nz/
Information can be found here, https://www.mpp.govt.nz/
For staff
Being vaccinated is a personal choice and Lincoln University recognises that there will be some staff who choose to remain unvaccinated. The HR Team will be working with these staff directly and each case will be assessed individually. The same process will apply to staff who decline to share their vaccination status.
Lincoln University staff members will be required to verify their vaccination status by 30 January 2022. The University is working on adding vaccine pass verification into the MyHR platform.
Information on how this works will be communicated as soon as it is available.