The following updates are provided by the Return-to-Campuses steering committee.
Vaccination rates in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, and across the province, are on the rise. As an important part of our local community, U of G is committed to supporting that growth and helping further protect students, faculty and staff as they work and learn at our campuses and facilities. 
By mandating vaccines, we’re reinforcing existing public health measures and our own efforts to keep our community safe. Our decisions on safety measures respond to the pandemic’s changing conditions and will continue to evolve as new information becomes available from the province and as public health advice changes.
COVID-19 vaccination required to access University facilities
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Guelph has placed a priority on the health and safety of our community. To help further enhance the safety of our learning and working spaces, the University will require all faculty, staff and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access buildings on our Guelph and Ridgetown Campuses and at all U of G-managed field stations.
Being fully vaccinated not only helps stop the spread of the virus but also significantly reduces the risks of the most serious outcomes of COVID-19.
More information on this process will be available in COVID-19 Updates sent to your uoguelph.ca inbox in the weeks ahead.
Why mandatory vaccination?
Mandating vaccination helps us mitigate some of the risk posed by COVID-19. Our continued safety measures (e.g., hand washing, masks, distancing, etc.) help us further protect each other. These measures, including mandatory vaccination, are strongly supported by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and Chatham-Kent Public Health.
Timing
By Sept. 7
- Faculty, staff and students must have their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. You may continue to access U of G buildings, following all COVID-19 safety protocols, while you wait for your second dose.
- U of G’s COVID-19 Screening Form will be updated to include a section where individuals will be requested to attest to their vaccination status.
By Oct. 15
- Faculty, staff and students must have their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
Students living in residence, varsity athletes and students taking face-to-face theatre and music classes should continue to follow the proof of vaccination direction and timelines provided to them.
Submission of information on vaccination status
U of G’s COVID-19 Screening Form will be updated by Sept. 7 to include a section where individuals will be requested to attest to their vaccination status. An attestation is a declaration that the information provided is factual. The University reserves the right to take action with respect to any individual who submits false information.
Submission of information will be through the screening form, which can be accessed online or through the SafeGryphon app. A solution is being developed for those without internet access or smartphone access.
Exemptions
Those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or on other grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code will be granted an exemption.
The process for vaccination exemptions will be made available shortly.
In the meantime, we encourage students to proceed with registering and paying their fall 2021 registration deposit. Students who request and receive an exemption will be able to continue their studies. If you choose to withdraw from the fall 2021 semester because of the vaccination requirement, you can receive a full refund if you do so by Sept. 19. The registration deposit will be refunded when requested through accquest@uoguelph.ca.
International students
More information about vaccinations for international students can be found on our Vaccination FAQ page.
Measures for those who are unvaccinated
Those who are unvaccinated and who need to access our campuses or research stations will need to follow additional safety protocols, which may include regular COVID-19 testing. Further details on these safety measures will be provided soon.
Where to get vaccinated
COVID-19 vaccines are a safe, effective and essential tool to help bring the pandemic to an end. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine safety.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine has never been easier!
- Student Health Services offers on-campus COVID-19 vaccinations to students, staff and faculty. Call 519-824-4120, Ext. 52131, to book an appointment. U of G is also exploring pop-up vaccination clinics for the fall.
- WDG Public Health clinics accept walk-ins for first and second vaccine doses with no appointment required.
- Some doctors’ offices and pharmacies offer COVID-19 vaccination.
- Appointments can be booked with public health units across the province.
Where to learn more
As we finalize details for this process, please read the COVID-19 Updates sent to your uoguelph.ca inbox. You can also check U of G’s COVID-19 website and Vaccination FAQs for the most up-to-date information.
The University’s COVID-19 website is your best source of information on U of G’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Return to Campuses website provides essential information for those coming to campus. If you need to be on campus, make sure you complete the U of G COVID-19 Screening Form every day before you arrive.