Faculty Vaccine Policy

• Purpose
• Scope/Applicability
• Policy
• Vaccine Administration
• How to Provide Proof of Vaccination or Statement of Exemption
• Exemption Requirements
• Exempt Faculty
• Modifications
• Non-Retaliation
• New Hires
• COVID-19 Vaccination Policy FAQs

Purpose

Central New Mexico Community College (“CNM”) has adopted this policy consistent with CNM’s values and in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to help safeguard the health of faculty. This policy is intended to comply with all federal, state, and local laws and public health mandates. 

Scope/Applicability

This policy applies to all faculty for the 2021-2022 academic year. It does not apply to vendors, customers, volunteers, or visitors but these groups must still follow CNM’s on campus safety protocols. CNM Ingenuity and the CNM Foundation also fall within the scope of this policy.

Policy

CNM requires that all faculty must be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption. If you have an approved exemption, you must take and pass a weekly COVID-19 test (the weekly COVID-19 test must be taken within seven days of the previous test).

All faculty must provide documentation of full vaccination using a vaccine authorized by FDA License or under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). All documentation to verify vaccination or exceptions must be provided. Failure to comply with this policy may result in discipline up to and including termination of employment or being dropped from classes. Faculty are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing primary vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses. For example, this includes two weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, or two weeks after the second dose of any combination of two doses of different COVID-19 vaccines as part of one primary vaccination series. 

Vaccine Administration

Faculty are responsible for scheduling and obtaining all recommended doses of an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine granted Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA. Faculty may get the vaccine during regularly scheduled work hours (up to 4 hours) contingent on supervisory approval. Faculty may utilize up to two workdays of sick leave immediately following each dose if they have side effects from the COVID-19 vaccination that prevent them from working. CNM has provided the equivalent of two days of sick leave to employees for this purpose.

How to Provide Proof of Vaccination or Statement of Exemption

The online system to upload proof of vaccination or statement of exemption is available for faculty.

Upload Your Proof of Vaccination or Statement of Exemption

Documentation will be verified before being approved. If you need help accessing the system or uploading documentation, contact the ITS Service Desk at itsservicedesk@cnm.edu or call (505) 224-4357.

Exemption Requirements

With the FDA's full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Aug. 23, 2021, the only permitted exemptions from the vaccine requirement after October 1, 2021 will be for health conditions or sincerely-held religious beliefs. Faculty may request an exception from this mandatory vaccination policy if the vaccine is medically contraindicated for them or medical necessity requires a delay in vaccination. Faculty also may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if they cannot be vaccinated and/or wear a face covering (as otherwise required by this policy) because of a disability, or if the provisions in this policy for vaccination and/or testing for COVID-19, and/or wearing a face covering conflict with a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. To ensure continuity of service and to meet business needs, CNM's President may approve an alternative exemption for faculty.

Exempt Faculty

Exempt faculty who work on campus are required to:

• Complete weekly COVID-19 testing. These tests must be uploaded every seven (7) days as shown on testing schedule provided to faculty with an approved exemption. Uploaded test results should be no older than seven (7) days old. The CNM Daily Health Assessment application will display a reminder to complete a new test in order to return to green status, allowing the faculty member to return to on-campus activities.
• Complete the Daily Self-Health Assessment on those days when they are on campus.

These obligations constitute requirements for employment eligibility for unvaccinated faculty. Costs for testing shall be the responsibility of the individual faculty member.

Modifications

Government and public health guidelines and restrictions, and business and industry best practices regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, are changing rapidly as new information becomes available, further research is conducted, and additional vaccines are approved and distributed. The College reserves the right to modify this policy at any time in its sole discretion to adapt to changing circumstances and business needs, consistent with its commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for faculty.

Non-Retaliation

The College prohibits any form of discipline, intimidation, or retaliation for reporting, in good-faith, a violation of this policy or any other health and safety concern.

New Hires

All new faculty are required to comply with the vaccination requirements outlined in this policy as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy FAQs