UNM continually monitors health conditions in Bernalillo County and adjusts its health requirements and protocols accordingly to ensure the safety of the UNM community. UNM is responding to the increase in COVID-19 transmission and infection, and to vaccination rates that are lower than optimal for community protection from COVID-19 infection.
The UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations reflects UNM’s investment in protecting the health of our students and employees, as well as the greater New Mexico population, by requiring employee and student vaccination or approved medical, religious and other exemptions. Individuals receiving approved exemptions will need to demonstrate negative test results for COVID-19.
Information on the vaccination requirement is available at https://bringbackthepack.unm.edu/vaccine/index.html
Exemption forms, which must be completed and uploaded, are available at https://bringbackthepack.unm.edu/vaccine/vaccine-requirement-exemption-forms.html.
Vaccination documents and completed exemption forms should be uploaded at the UNM vaccination verification site.
New Mexicans can visit www.vaxviewnm.org to obtain their immunization record, which should show that they’ve completed the vaccine series (assuming the provider has correctly reported it to NMSIIS already). This can then be uploaded to the UNM vaccination verification site.
UNM follows extensive compliance and security procedures in maintaining electronic records. Electronic upload via the UNM vaccination verification site offers a secure means of adding, reviewing, and archiving the record.
If you are a full-time student enrolled in a UNM Online Accelerated Online Program and you live outside of the state of New Mexico, you may request an exemption.
Please complete an exemption form available at https://bringbackthepack.unm.edu/vaccine/vaccine-requirement-exemption-forms.html.
Upload the completed remote exemption form on the UNM vaccination verification site.
Expect an e-mail response [note that high volume may lengthen response time].
Yes, if you are enrolled in a dual credit class or a concurrent enrollment class that meets on a UNM campus.
High school students enrolled in a UNM dual credit class that meets on a high school campus should follow the COVID-19 safety rules of that high school campus and school district.
For a medical exemption, please complete an exemption form available at https://bringbackthepack.unm.edu/vaccine/vaccine-requirement-exemption-forms.html.
Upload the completed remote exemption form on the UNM vaccination verification site. The request will then be reviewed by the office of Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity.
Expect an e-mail response [note that high volume may lengthen response time].
Be prepared to receive periodic e-mail requests to upload proof of a negative PCR test result for samples collected and tested within 7 days of the upload.
Employees and students may submit a request for religious exemption.
For a religious exemption, please complete an exemption form available at https://bringbackthepack.unm.edu/vaccine/vaccine-requirement-exemption-forms.html.
Upload the completed remote exemption form on the UNM vaccination verification site. The request will then be reviewed by the office of Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity.
Expect an e-mail response [note that high volume may lengthen response time].
Be prepared to receive periodic e-mail requests to upload proof of a negative PCR test result for samples collected and tested within 7 days of the upload.
Students who receive a medical or religious exemption from the requirement are welcome to continue in-person classes and to use UNM facilities, provided they are masked both indoors and outside. Students and employees seeking medical or religious exemption from the vaccination requirement should submit a completed medical exemption form or an approved religious exemption form on the UNM vaccination verification site. (Click here for the form for a UNM medical or a UNM religious exemption.) Once completed and submitted, the request will then be reviewed by the office of Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity (in coordination with the Accessibility Resource Center).
Students and employees who request the temporary exemption due to medical or religious purposes will be subject to regular COVID testing. This will require that, upon demand, they produce documentation of a negative COVID-19 test by PCR (rapid antigen tests will not be accepted) within 7-days of the request; the collection date of the test sample must be within 7-days of student or employee submission of the test result documentation to UNM. The request for test result documentation will come to the employee or student via an automated email; it will include a link to an upload site for the required documentation. Supervisors and instructors should not individually request this information.
COVID-19 testing required under this exemption will be at the expense of the employee or student seeking the exemption. COVID-19 tests are available at many pharmacies; information on testing is available at https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-19-testing/ . The state of New Mexico has contracted with a test provider that currently will provide tests free of charge and this service may be used.
Yes. You may make a request on this basis using the UNM vaccination verification site. We anticipate that FDA approval for at least one vaccination is likely to occur in the next six weeks, terminating any such temporary exception.
Students and employees who request the temporary exemption due to EUA will be subject to regular COVID testing. This will require that, upon demand, they produce documentation of a negative COVID-19 test by PCR (rapid antigen tests will not be accepted) within 7-days of the request; the collection date of the test sample must be within 7-days of student or employee submission of the test result documentation to UNM. The request for test result documentation will come to the employee or student via an automated email; it will include a link to an upload site for the required documentation. Supervisors and instructors should not individually request this information.
COVID-19 testing required under this exemption will be at the expense of the employee or student seeking the exemption. COVID-19 tests are available at many pharmacies; information on testing is available at https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-19-testing/ . The state of New Mexico has contracted with a test provider that currently will provide tests free of charge and this service may be used. Once any vaccine for COVID-19 is available under regular FDA License, this exemption will no longer be available. The temporary exemption while vaccines are under EUA will not be available in Spring 2022.
No. Students will not be forced to switch to online classes in the middle of the Fall semester if a COVID-19 vaccination receives full FDA approval prior to the end of the Fall semester. Students who have an approved temporary exemption for EUA for Fall 2021 will need either to provide proof of vaccination or, for the remainder of the semester, continue to produce documentation of a negative COVID-19 test by PCR (rapid antigen tests will not be accepted) within 7-days of the administrative request to do so, with the sample having been collected within 7-days of submission of the test result documentation to UNM. The temporary exemption for EUA will not be available in Spring 2022.
Yes. You can schedule an appointment with your advisor on Lobo Achieve (main campus students) or, if you are a branch campus student, with your regular branch campus advisor. Consider talking with your doctor or a medical provider at Student Health and Counseling so that you can make an informed decision about vaccination.
Vaccination, or an approved exemption from vaccination, is required in student UNM housing contracts. We encourage you to start by discussing your concerns with your doctor or with a medical provider at Student Health and Counseling. Your doctor or medical provider will be able to help you make an informed decision about vaccination. Students have until September 30, 2021, to meet the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations.
Beginning October 1, 2021, students who do not follow the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations will receive a notice of prospective disciplinary action with specific sanctions for failure to comply, including possible denial of access to critical facilities and resources.
Beginning October 1, 2021, employees who do not follow the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations will receive a notice of prospective disciplinary action with specific sanctions for failure to comply, including possible denial of access to critical facilities and resources.
The current class schedule, with a mix of face-to-face, hybrid, and online offerings will not be changed. Students may request accommodations by working with the Accessibility Resource Center. Possible accommodations for students may include attending class remotely, but only in cases in which the instructor agrees that remote attendance will not lessen the learning experience and only when the student has a documented need for an accessibility accommodation.
No. The current class schedule, with a mix of face-to-face, hybrid, and online offerings will not be changed.
Students have until September 30, 2021 to submit proof of vaccination or of a UNM validated exemption on the UNM vaccination verification site. Students will not be automatically switched to online classes. Beginning October 1, 2021, students will receive notification of possible disciplinary action, including possible denial of access to critical facilities and resources for failure to follow the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations.
No. Students have until September 30, 2021 to submit proof of vaccination or request a UNM validated exemption on the UNM vaccination verification site. Students will not be automatically switched to online classes or dropped from classes. Beginning October 1, 2021, students will receive notification of disciplinary action—including possible denial of access to critical facilities and resources—for failure to follow the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations.
Some campus facilities, including classrooms, and some campus events may be open only to students and employees who have been fully vaccinated. Additional information on restrictions for non-vaccinated students/employees will be forthcoming.
Beginning October 1, 2021, students will receive notification of disciplinary action—including possible denial of access to critical facilities and resources—for failure to follow the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations. Additional information on restrictions, such as limiting access to in-person classes, for non-vaccinated students/employees will be forthcoming.
Yes. Beginning October 1, 2021, students will receive notification of disciplinary action—including possible denial of access to critical facilities and resources—for failure to follow the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations. Additional information on restrictions for non-vaccinated students/employees will be forthcoming.
We encourage you to start by talking to your doctor or a medical provider at Student Health and Counseling about your concerns. Your doctor or medical provider will be able to help you make an informed decision about vaccination. Beginning October 1, 2021, students will receive notification of disciplinary action—including possible denial of access to critical facilities, including classrooms, and resources—for failure to follow the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations. Instructors will not be required to stream classes or provide remote access in cases of non-compliance.
Members of the general public must wear masks indoors and may not be granted access to certain UNM indoor facilities. They should follow the guidance for visitors on campus.
Academic Affairs and Human Resources will administer the process for validation of vaccination and exemptions, will administer the process for requiring COVID-19 tests for those for whom it is required, and will inform supervisors or other appropriate officials when it is necessary to start progressive disciplinary action— including possible denial of access to critical facilities and resources—related to failure to follow the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations. Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity will review medical and religious exemption requests. UNM Online will review Student Accelerated Online Program Exemption Requests. Verification is not the responsibility or purview of instructors or supervisors.
K-12 students should wear masks indoors. If they are in music programs, follow the mask guidance provided by the Chair of the Department of Music and the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. Parents or guardians must complete the minors on campus form. UNM will not collect and verify vaccination information for K-12 students unless they are over the age of 12 and enrolled in dual credit or concurrent enrollment courses taking place on UNM main or branch campuses.
Personal assistants who are not UNM employees or students should follow the guidance for visitors on campus. They must wear masks indoors.
UNM is exploring the best means to ensure safety in large events and efficient means of limiting access.
Please see the guidelines for visitors on campus.
Yes. Members of the general public must wear masks indoors on UNM campuses. Parents are welcome to help their new Lobo get established on moving day if they wear masks indoors.
Individual residents will not be administratively notified about the vaccination status of their peers. Administrative leadership will be notified so that disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from UNM housing, can be taken in cases in which students have not complied with the UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations or their UNM Housing contract.
UNM offers drive up access to the Lobo Food Pantry. Students in UNM Student Housing may receive assistance accessing meals. UNM is not able to deliver food off campus.
Provides health guidance if you think you might be experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, including dry cough, high fever or shortness of breath. You should call the hotline first before seeking medical treatment.
May recommend that people self-isolate, particularly if they’re experiencing symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 infection. Operators will help them determine the next best step.
Offers guidance to health care providers seeking to test a patient or who have questions about the novel coronavirus.
It does not issue clearances to return to work – that is up to each individual’s employer to decide.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Department of Health are strongly discouraging non-essential travel outside of the state at this time. Meanwhile:
Remain home from work or school if you are sick and call the hotline at 1-855-600-3453 if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms.
Continuetaking common-sense steps to protect your health and the health of others, such as covering your cough or sneeze and washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
COVID -19 HOTLINE SCAM
Please be aware there are several phishing scams where the caller impersonates a representative from the COVID-19 Hotline or other medical entity. The scammer is asking for personal information like social security and date of birth, telling callers they must have that information in order to release COVID-19 testing results.
Representatives from UNM Health, Presbyterian and Lovelace Health System want to remind the public that we will never ask for your social security number. Any confirmation of a positive COVID-19 swab test will be made by the clinic where you were seen or the New Mexico Department of Health.
Effective March 19, 2020, all buildings on the HSC campus will be badge access only. This safety measure will continue through our extended period of limited operations on campus.
Effective March 21, 2020, no visitors will be admitted into UNM Hospital, with the few exceptions you can see here.
In accordance with NM Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Public Health Order of March 23, 2020, gatherings of five or more people are prohibited. Departments should use video and phone conferencing whenever possible for interviews and other meetings. If you need to cancel events or guests, we have created a template to help communicate that information.
Please visit NM Department of Health website to see the latest guidelines regarding travel.
Please visit UNM Event Registration website to register an upcoming event(s).
You can access this registration with or without a login (MyUNM ID). Please do so and enter the requested information.
In response to UNM HSC canceling of all university related travel, employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel costs paid for personally for a conference that was canceled due to COVID-19.
Reimbursement will be allowed with proper documentation and receipts.
The department is responsible for tracking and monitoring any unused available airfare credit to ensure that any future use of unused flight credit is for a University business purpose.
Employees who have incurred travel costs related to a cancelled trip should contact the airline or hotel vendor for a refund or to change the ticket for future travel. Some airlines are waiving change fees in response to COVID-19 claims and cancellations. An updated listing of US airlines that are waiving fees over COVID-19 can be found here.
For additional information visit the Guidance for UNM regarding COVID-19 website.