Message to student workers and graduate assistants, Sept. 13, 2021

Attachments:

• Employee Attestation How To
• Testing Consent Form How To
• Work Authorization File Submission How To
• Vaccine Policy FAQ

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Sent on behalf of Rick Straka, Vice President for Finance and Administration:

Dear Student Workers and Graduate Assistants,

On Wednesday, Sept. 8, the Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) COVID-19 Proof of Vaccine and Testing policy went into effect requiring all state employees to either provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of weekly testing if they are assigned to a workplace outside of their home. This policy includes you, our graduate assistants and student workers.

Today’s message provides instructions on how Minnesota State University, Mankato is operationalizing this new policy and introduces you to the VaxTrak tool.

To be clear: As a student employee, you are required to upload your vaccination information to the VaxTrak system. You may also have already uploaded your vaccination information to the Student Health Services patient portal, in accordance with the Minnesota State Student Vaccination Attestation Guidelines, which applies to all students and to other vaccines—but you must also upload to the VaxTrak system.

We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Accessing the VaxTrak Tool

The Minnesota State system has developed a systemwide proof of vaccine and proof of testing management tool called VaxTrak that allows you to provide your proof of vaccination or weekly test results.  You may access the VaxTrak tool using your StarID and password by clicking on this link: https://forms.office.com/r/7P1Z6xT2u0. The instructions for using this tool are attached to this message, and also in this video.

Once logged in to VaxTrak, you will either complete an attestation form and provide proof of vaccination or, if you indicate you have not been vaccinated, you will be asked to complete the Testing Consent Form. You will be scheduled for weekly testing by Human Resources, which will provide additional instructions to you.

Acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination is outlined on page three of the MMB policy. If you lost your vaccination card or don’t have a copy, contact your vaccination provider directly to access your record; alternatively, you can get a copy through the state health department’s immunization information system (IIS) through the CDC website. Vaccination providers are required to report COVID-19 vaccinations to their state’s IIS.

Weekly Testing Process

You only need to sign the Testing Consent Form once; it will apply during the entire time that mandatory testing under HR/LR Policy # 1446 is in effect. If you wish to rescind your consent after signing the form, you must do so in writing and submit it to Human Resources at hr@mnsu.edu.

We are providing an on-campus testing clinic in Carkoski Commons (the old dining hall) adjacent to the Student Health Center.  The testing clinic will take place from 9 am to 3 pm on Tuesdays, starting on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021.  Student employees who work at the University outside of those times may pick-up a test from University Security Dispatch (Weicking Center 222) on Tuesday night and return it there by noon on Wednesday.

Student employees who participate in the University-provided weekly testing will receive their results directly within 24-48 hours of the test. Your work status will not change from the previous week as you wait for the results. You must immediately share the results of the test with the University through the link in the test reminder email: https://forms.office.com/r/uYbE0rbfnC. 

If you are negative, you can continue to work as usual. If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, you must go home or stay home, and follow the current Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. You also must promptly call the Campus Reporting Hotline at (507) 389-2030 and report your absence to your supervisor. Your supervisor will determine if your duties temporarily can be performed through telework. If they cannot, your supervisor will work with you on the appropriate leave that may be available to you.

The on-campus testing clinic is only for professional and student employees who must complete the weekly testing process. Student testing protocols relating to the MinnState Vaccination Attestation Guidelines for the general student population are still under development and will be shared with students as we approach that Oct. 4 implementation date.

I know this is a lot of information and that it has taken a bit of time to relay it all to you. If you have questions, please contact HR or your supervisor, or visit the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Coronavirus and the Campus Community website.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our colleagues, workplaces and fellow students safe.