VARSITY VACCINATION PLAN

In an effort to keep students as safe as possible in the wake of the global pandemic, Loyalist College has announced a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all Varsity athletes. There is inherent risk that goes along with being a Varsity athlete, primarily due to the inevitable close contact with competitors from across the province and the requirements for travelling outside the region. While the Ontario College Athletic Association has not mandated vaccinations for all participating schools, the league is very supportive of individual schools who have made this decision. 

We understand this announcement may leave students with a number of questions. The following information should help navigate those concerns. First and foremost:

IF YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY VACCINATED, PLEASE DO SO ASAP.

A vaccination clinic will be available on campus as a final option for student athletes who have been unable to gain access to a vaccination prior to coming to campus.

Varsity Tryouts

Students wishing to take part in tryouts for Varsity teams are encouraged, but not required to be vaccinated. Students are asked to pre-register for tryouts HERE to eliminate the need for paperwork at the tryout.  A check-in station will be set up one hour prior to the beginning of tryouts for those who did not pre-register. All athletes will be required to check in and complete basic contact tracing information.

• Women's rugby, women's soccer and cross-country running tryouts begin Tuesday September 7,^, 2021.
• Women's and men's basketball and women's and men's volleyball begin the following week on Monday September 13, 2021 & Tuesday September, 14, 2021. 

 Varsity Athlete Verification of Vaccine Status

All Varsity athletes selected to a team will be required to complete and submit a formal attestation confirming that they have been fully vaccinated. The College defines fully vaccinated as having received two Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine doses and having completed the 14-day waiting period following the second dose. While the College will accept attestations, students may be required to provide further documentation if deemed necessary. Providing a false attestation is an act of serious misconduct and may be subject to discipline under the College's Student Code of Conduct (AOP 209). Further information regarding the completion and submission of attestation forms will be sent to all Varsity athletes in the coming weeks.

Loyalist College is committed to the protection of privacy and is required to comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information, including information about being vaccinated, will be collected, used and stored in compliance with the College's obligations under this Act.

The deadline for athletes to have received their second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccination and deadlines for all varsity athletes to be fully vaccinated (having received two Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine doses and having completed the 14-day waiting period following the second dose) are as follows:  

Outdoor Sports:

• Women's Soccer:
• • Deadline for second dose: Friday August 27, 2021
  • Deadline for attestation: Thursday September 9, 2021
• Women's Rugby:
• • Deadline for second dose: Friday September 3, 2021
  • Deadline for attestation: Thursday September 16, 2021
• X-Country Running:
• • Deadline for second dose: Friday September 17, 2021
  • Deadline for attestation: Thursday September 30^th, 2021

Indoor Sports:

• Women's & Men's Basketball: 
• • Deadline for second dose: Friday September 24, 2021
  • Deadline for attestation: Friday October 8, 2021
• Women's & Men's Volleyball: 
• • Deadline for second dose: Friday September 24, 2021
  • Deadline for attestation: Friday October 8, 2021

Requests for Exemption from the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Students who cannot be vaccinated on the basis of medical or other grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code may request an exemption accommodation. Requests for exemption should be submitted as follows (see below) and must be completed prior to tryouts. The College will carefully review all exemption requests on a case-by-case basis; however, approval is not guaranteed.

Exemption for Medical Reasons

Students seeking an exemption on the basis of medical grounds must complete and submit an AccessAbility Services Application and provide supporting documentation signed by a licensed medical practitioner confirming that you are unable to be vaccinated due to a medical condition.  For further information regarding supporting documentation, contact the Loyalist College AccessAbility Centre at studentsuccess@loyalistcollege.com. 

Exemption for Religious Belief or Creed

Requests for exemption on the basis of religion or creed will require a written explanation and supporting documentation (as requested). Requests should be submitted to Aaron Doupe, Director – Student Success: adoupe@loyalistcollege.com.

Students who apply for an exemption will receive notification on the outcome of their request by email. Students playing a Varsity sport with an approved exemption will be required to follow appropriate health measures, including COVID-19 screening, self-assessments and additional rapid testing. If your exemption is not granted, you will not be awarded the privilege of being on a Varsity team.

Athletics Staff

All Varsity staff including (but not limited to), head coaches, assistant coaches, managers and on-bench statisticians will be required to submit an attestation stating they are fully vaccinated by Friday September 3^rd, 2021.

 If you have any questions, please refer to Loyalist College's COVID-19 Information Centre or contact athletics@loyalistcollege.com.