Dear colleagues,
I am sharing some information I have learned regards SFU vaccine self-declaration program. This may not be new information for some, but it was for me. I have shared with SFUFA executive.
In summary, the information, approach, and expectation for vaccine self-declaration and rapid testing have, in my view, changed. Currently, the self-declaration is not mandatory (originally presented as mandatory*). Similarly,
rapid testing is not being enforced for those who have not declared or who are not fully vaccinated. I learned this from Alisa Zukanovic (full string below as FYI). Alisa noted that this is a change from earlier information and that expectations may also change
in the future.
In my role, I am responsible for overseeing library services at the Surrey campus. I and my colleagues (SFUFA, CUPE, and APSA) returned to offering full in-person services in good faith, with the understanding that a mandatory
declaration program accompanied by rapid testing would be in place, and now that has changed without (again, in my view) announcement or explanation.
I hope that we will be able to get a fulsome explanation from university administration in the near future,
Thank you for reading,
Leanna
--
Leanna Jantzi (she/her)
Head, Fraser Library | Simon Fraser University | Surrey
Unceded and occupied territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm), Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen First Nations
leanna_jantzi@sfu.ca | 778.782.7417
* Vaccination declaration and follow-up screening at SFU, message from President Joy Johnson:
https://www.sfu.ca/pres/the-president/statements/2021/message-from-the-president--vaccine-declaration-and-follow-up-sc.html
* Tweet from @SFU: https://twitter.com/SFU/status/1431048559609081859?s=20
From: Leanna Jantzi
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2021 10:30 AM
To: Alisa Zukanovic <alisa_zukanovic@sfu.ca>
Subject: RE: rapid testing and vaccine declaration
Hi Alisa,
Thank you for the reply. I will share this change in information and expectations with my colleagues and team.
Leanna
From: Alisa Zukanovic
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2021 10:14 AM
To: Leanna Jantzi <leanna_jantzi@sfu.ca>
Subject: Re: rapid testing and vaccine declaration
Hi Leanne,
Thank you for your email.
We do understand that the information has changed since the last message from the president. This was in part due to further consultation with the Provincial Health Office and the Ministry
of Advanced Education and Skills. We continue to share our expectations with the community on our webpage and via email. Please continue to follow our return to campus webpage for the most recent updates.
https://www.sfu.ca/returntocampus/resources/vaccine-declaration.html
Best,
Alisa Zukanovic, MSSc (she/her)
Manager, Special Projects, Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Planning
Office of the Vice-President, Academic
Simon Fraser University | Strand Hall 3050.08
8888 University Dr., Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6
M: 778-782-3125 T: 778-868-1780 | alisaz@sfu.ca
From: Leanna Jantzi
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 12:25:58 PM
To: Alisa Zukanovic
Subject: RE: rapid testing and vaccine declaration
Hi Alisa,
Let me know if there’s somewhere else I should be directing my questions, but the information you have provided is contrary to the message form president Johnson via email on August 26: “we are working to implement
mandatory self-disclosure of vaccination status for all those who access our campuses, including students, faculty, staff and visitors.”
From what you have shared, the self-disclosure is now not mandatory and is now voluntary. Why was this changed and will this change be communicated to the university community?
I am asking these questions as I am really struggling as an employee to understand what the university is doing and as a supervisor to relay and reinforce accurate information to my team.
Leanna
From: Alisa Zukanovic
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 11:39 AM
To: Leanna Jantzi <leanna_jantzi@sfu.ca>
Subject: Re: rapid testing and vaccine declaration
Hi Leanna,
At this time, we are not mandating a response, though we do expect our community to participate in the declaration program as the intention is our collective safety. We will also not be enforcing testing, though
we’ve heard there is some relief that it will be available.
Our level of expectation for both things may change depending on several factors that we are considering on a daily basis. These include response rates to the declaration and will include the uptake of the screening
program; eventually it will include our validation program.
Encouraging your team to declare vaccination status (which may include the choice of “officially” not declaring) allows us to better assess the level of risk on our campus and decide on next steps, and whether
we need to move to stronger measures. And of course if there are changes to public health orders or advice from the CDC, in response to the evolving situation of the pandemic, we may need to move to stronger mandates and requirements.
Best,
Alisa Zukanovic, MSSc (she/her)
Manager, Special Projects, Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Planning
Office of the Vice-President, Academic
Simon Fraser University | Strand Hall 3050.08
8888 University Dr., Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6
M: 778-782-3125 T: 778-868-1780 | alisaz@sfu.ca
From: Leanna Jantzi
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 10:28:48 AM
To: Alisa Zukanovic
Subject: RE: rapid testing and vaccine declaration
Hi Alisa,
Many thanks for the quick response. I know you are very busy and I appreciate you taking the time. Unfortunately, I’m still not clear. Are employees
required to submit their declaration(which has been described as mandatory) and
required to complete rapid testing. If so, how is that requirement being enforced?
I just received the message from the university, asking me to encourage my team members to submit their declaration. Without knowing what the consequences are if one does not submit, I do not have the information
needed to have this conversation. Related, if there is no consequence on the employee for not submitting a declaration, I do not think there is reason for me to pursue a conversation.
Thank you,
Leanna
From: Alisa Zukanovic
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 10:09 AM
To: Leanna Jantzi <leanna_jantzi@sfu.ca>
Subject: Re: rapid testing and vaccine declaration
Hi Leanna,
Thank you for your inquiry.
SFU is privately reaching out to community members who are not vaccinated or did not wish to declare to book regular rapid screening tests at all 3 campuses. Screening is expected to
be completed once per week. SFU has worked with the PHO and other RUCBC Post Secondary Institutions to develop an auditing process. This process will ensure that folks are getting screened regularly and have declared their vaccination status truthfully.
More information will be shared next week - please keep an eye out on the webpage for updates on Rapid Screening.
https://www.sfu.ca/returntocampus/resources/vaccine-declaration.html
Best,
Alisa Zukanovic, MSSc (she/her)
Manager, Special Projects, Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Planning
Office of the Vice-President, Academic
Simon Fraser University | Strand Hall 3050.08
8888 University Dr., Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6
M: 778-782-3125 T: 778-868-1780 | alisaz@sfu.ca
From: Leanna Jantzi
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 12:54:43 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: CMT Chair
Subject: rapid testing and vaccine declaration
Hello,
I have a question regards rapid testing and SFU’s vaccine declaration, now that the deadline for the declaration has passed. The SFU website says that “SFU….will
expect those who are not vaccinated or choose not to be vaccinated to undergo regular rapid-screening.” (https://www.sfu.ca/returntocampus/resources/vaccine-declaration.html)
I was wondering what process will be in place to
ensure those who are not vaccinated or choose not to be vaccinated to undergo regular rapid-screening and what action will be taken if someone refuses to submit a declaration or refuses rapid testing. I would like to be able to share with my team that
their employer is taking the appropriate (and promised) measures to mitigate health risks at their workplace.
Thank you,
Leanna
--
Leanna Jantzi (she/her)
Head, Fraser Library | Simon Fraser University | Surrey
Unceded and occupied territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm), Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen First Nations
leanna_jantzi@sfu.ca | 778.782.7417