What to Know About Millikin’s New Vaccine Guidelines

On August 26, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued an Executive Order mandating that all students and school workers would need to be vaccinated for COVID-19, and that everyone medically able to wear a mask would be required to do so when in an indoor public space. The deadline for vaccination is September 19, having been extended from the initial deadline of September 5.

In response to this new Executive Order, Millikin President Jim Reynolds sent out an email on Friday, August 27, informing all Millikin students and faculty that the University would henceforth require all individuals to submit proof of vaccination or an exemption form.

“While this vaccination mandate should not come as a surprise given the contagious nature of the Delta variant of COVID-19,” wrote Pres. Reynolds, “it does come suddenly. Because of that, we will work diligently to help all those who wish to be vaccinated find a time and place to do so before the Governor’s deadline.”

The email also detailed a newly scheduled Pfizer vaccine clinic, which took place in the University Commons on September 3: “The first 100 people get $50 loaded to their student or employee account!”

As of September 6th, there are 33 active COVID-19 cases on campus, with 63 students in “campus-based quarantine” (either on-campus isolation or contact-traced quarantined).

“All but 15 of our students were compliant with our testing program,” wrote the University in a campus update. “We will continue to monitor weekly testing and inform faculty of students who fall out of compliance with our Back to the Blue plan. Remember, TEST WEEKLY OR NO CLASS!”

While Pres. Reynolds has not yet announced any future vaccine clinics, it is safe to assume more are yet to come.

“Millikin University has strongly encouraged vaccination of its students and employees since the vaccines became widely available this spring,” wrote Pres. Reynolds,  “We have also had an indoor mask mandate since August 2nd.  Our campus policy asks all unvaccinated individuals, whether students or employees, to be tested at our on-campus testing site once a week.”

Below is the information attached to the email regarding uploading vaccination records:

• Students can upload their vaccination records on MyMillikin using the “Upload Immunizations” icon.  Contact the Student Affairs Office for exemption forms. 
• Employees can email a copy of their vaccination card to [email protected] or hand-deliver a copy of their card to Human Resources in Shilling Hall, Room 205.  Contact Human Resources for exemption forms.