For the last year, we have diligently followed our COVID-19 virus mitigation protocols to protect each other and our FLC community. COVID-19 vaccines are another critical pillar in our public health strategy that will help end this pandemic.
To ensure safe campus interactions, A COVID-19 vaccine will be required for all FLC students enrolled for the Fall 2021 semester as well as all faculty and staff.
A broadly vaccinated campus community provides our best hope for returning to the hands-on, inclusive, and personalized learning environment that we all know and love. FLC takes seriously our role in protecting the health of Durango and surrounding communities, some of which were the hardest-hit by COVID-19. For these reasons, it is vitally important that all our students, staff, and faculty are vaccinated.
The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination include prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. On campus, this vaccination requirement will allow you to attend in-person events, play intramural sports, dine with friends, attend performances, cheer for our athletes, and have more in-person interactions within the FLC community.
View the Student Vaccine Policy
As of May 2021, anyone over the age of 12 in Colorado is eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to receive the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Other states are opening eligibility as well.
Because it takes time to schedule a vaccine appointment and for the vaccines to provide full protection, we strongly recommend you get vaccinated as soon as possible. If you live outside of La Plata County, you should contact your local public health authorities for vaccination information. Prior to the start of Fall 2021, FLC will provide COVID-19 vaccines to any students, faculty, or staff who were not able to obtain one in their home communities.
Sign up for a vaccine with a local provider (La Plata and Archuleta counties)
Before the Fall 2021 semester, you are required to upload a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card to FLC’s secure document upload portal or through the Fort Lewis App.
*Continuing students enrolled in online courses only (and who are not accessing on-campus services) will not need to provide proof of vaccination.
You will receive an email receipt by the end of the business week indicating that your vaccination documentation was received.
Faculty and staff will also need to provide an attestation for their fully vaccinated status or request an exemption before the Fall 2021 semester. More information will be coming on document upload process.
The medical and non-medical immunization exemption process for the COVID-19 vaccination requirement will parallel the exemption process for the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination requirement, which is outlined by the state of Colorado.
If you wish to request an exemption, you may do so using the Vaccination Requirement Exemption forms:
Submit your exemption form online:
If you are not vaccinated against COVID-19, you will be required to take additional safety precautions, including regular testing throughout the semester and mandatory quarantine if you are exposed to COVID-19 or if you have a positive COVID-19 test. In the event of a COVID-19 outbreak on campus, unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff may not be allowed to come to campus—this includes on-campus housing, dining services, in-person classes, and all other in-person activities. This COVID-19 outbreak protocol will be similar to the state-mandated measles outbreak protocol.
A vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce immunity to and protection against a specific disease. The COVID-19 vaccines prevent or lessen the effects of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have all been authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All three vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective.
Learn more on the CDC website
The vaccination process must be started before the first day of Fall 2021 classes. For those who need it, FLC will provide vaccinations the week before classes begin.
Vaccination is strongly encouraged, though not currently required, for faculty and staff.
At this time, many of our faculty and staff have already received at least one shot -- nearly 85% of those who responded to a recent survey indicated they have received at least a first dose of the vaccine.
Campus will be presenting a resolution to the Board of Trustees in the coming weeks to require the vaccine for faculty and staff, but board approval is required before a final decision is made.
Yes. Registration for Fall 2021 classes begins for continuing students in April and for new students in May. We understand that different communities have different schedules for making COVID-19 vaccinations available and we want to give you every opportunity to plan for a positive fall semester. You will be required to have at least one shot of a COVID-19 immunization by the time classes begin.
Yes. Our campus COVID-19 safety precautions still apply to all students, faculty, and staff regardless of vaccination status. By Fall 2021, when most of our campus is vaccinated, we are hopeful that we will have different protocols in place.
Yes. In collaboration with our local health authorities, FLC plans to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to students, faculty, and staff prior to the start of the fall 2021 term.
Currently, on-campus vaccinations clinics are planned for students in April and May. Refer to your email for details.
Yes. Your vaccination documentation is protected and will remain confidential. FLC employs security measures appropriate for private health information.
Your vaccination documentation will be used internally by FLC to determine if you are eligible to be on campus. Your vaccination status may be shared with federal, state, and local public health agencies to help monitor community immunization rates and facilitate contact tracing if new COVID cases arise. Your individual information will not be sold or released to unaffiliated third parties without your express permission.
Your vaccination information will be stored by FLC as long as there is a legitimate need. Your information may be purged one year after you are no longer a registered student at FLC. If you are re-admitted you may need to provide your vaccination information again.