The college announced today that it will declare a fully-vaccinated status and require students, faculty and staff to verify their vaccination status, or request an exemption for medical, religious or philosophical reasons.

  • Employees can verify their vaccination status or request an exemption by emailing Human Resources at: [email protected].
  • Students can verify their vaccination status or request an exemption by completing a short Vaccine Verification Form. Students are required to verify by the first day of Fall Term on Sept. 20.

The decision to be a college with fully-vaccinated campuses comes after Gov. Jay Inslee issued a new higher education proclamation on July 12, 2021, which states institutions of higher education may either choose to be a college with fully vaccinated campuses, or not.

Additionally, with COVID-19 cases spiking, the college will require everyone, including those who are vaccinated, to wear masks when indoors and not working alone effective Aug. 19. This masking mandate applies to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. The decision to require masks is based on CDC and local health district guidance recommending that members of communities with substantial-to-high COVID-19 transmission rates wear masks when indoors. Kitsap and Mason Counties are currently in the high transmission rate category. The masking mandate is subject to change pending additional guidance from the governor’s office, federal and local health officials, and COVID-19 data analysis.

“Throughout the pandemic Olympic College has prioritized health and safety. After conducting surveys with students, and a series of conversations with employees and college leadership, we have made the decision to be a fully-vaccinated college,” said Olympic College President Marty Cavalluzzi. “Verifying vaccination status and requiring masks allow us to safely expand in-person classes and services this fall and winter.” 

The college is working with its labor unions, and finalizing details for Fall Term and will share this information when it becomes available.