Eden Seminary has announced to students, faculty and staff requirements for vaccines and masks for the upcoming academic term. Students already are registering for Hy-Flex classes, with the opportunity to participate in those classes either in physically or digitally present ways. In addition, all community members received the following notifications on August 7th.
Required Vaccine Verification for all Registered Students
As a part of Eden Seminary’s attention to public health and safety protocols related to the ongoing COVID19 Pandemic, we are requiring vaccine verification for all faculty, staff, and students for the 2021-22 academic year. Since returning to the residential campus on July 6, faculty and staff have already verified their vaccine status. This notice is to announce that all students are required to do the same.
Over the summer we announced Eden’s Staff and Faculty have created a “blended” environment for our community of learning and faith (our “fifth campus”!) in which students can elect (via Hyflex registration) to attend classrooms either digitally or physically. Hence, beginning August 27th, 2021 we welcome all students the option to be on campus for social events, lectures, programs, and classes or to attend online. This Hyflex option maintains as safe a campus environment as possible with greater and continued accessibility. For this reason, all students are required to send verification of their vaccination status via https://form.jotform.com/212174670581051 with a photograph of their vaccine record – prior to August 27, 2021.
Which vaccines are approved?
World Health Organization-authorized vaccines are acceptable;
Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson are included
Where is a vaccination location near me?
Vaccines.gov – Find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you
How can I self schedule if I’m in or near, St. Louis, MO?
COVID-19 – Affinia Healthcare
If for some reason your vaccination card is NOT complete by August 27th, please attend all events and classes virtually to help us maintain verified safe zones. Students can request accommodations for medical exemptions within Brightspace, the Office of Student Affairs/Accommodations.
Thank you for your cooperation to ensuring your own health and the health and well-being of members of the Eden Community.
With you in hope on behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration,
Rev. Sonja B. Williams, PhD.
Dean of the Seminary
Mask Requirement for all persons (vaccinated or not) in Public Indoor Areas
The Seminary has been closely monitoring recent developments and public health authorities’ announcements regarding the Delta Variant related surge in COVID 19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. We continued to be reassured that vaccines and measures such as wearing a mask and observing proper sanitation are powerful tools in helping people avoid infection and/or serious illness. For this reason, in addition to requiring vaccine verification for all members of the Eden community (faculty, staff, and students), the Seminary requires that masks be worn by all people (vaccinated or not) in public spaces (hallways, chapel, Luhr Reference Room, the Commons, and restrooms) in the Seminary buildings. For the Eden- Webster Emerson Library, please follow their online requirements.
The Seminary administration is continuing to follow the guidance of public health authorities and will make a determination in late August as to whether classrooms (with vaccine verified students and faculty) are considered safe enough not to require masking. This decision would be to facilitate full participation/communication between faculty and students physically present in classrooms with those students who are attending classes digitally. This decision will be made with the safety of students and faculty foremost in view.
With you in hope on behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration,
Rev. Sonja B. Williams, PhD.
Dean of the Seminary
