Health Requirements and Records Policy

Policy Statement
The Siena College Health Service will comply with, uphold and enforce relevant provisions of the New York State Public Health Law, Article 21, Title VI, and Section 2165 and 2167 as it pertains to this college. Siena College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its students concerning communicable diseases, including Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tuberculosis, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis and Meningitis. The College recognizes and accepts its responsibility under applicable state law and considers recommendations from the America College Health Association and U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
Health Insurance
All full time students are required to have health insurance. Full time students that do not have health insurance will be billed for and receive insurance through Siena College’s student health insurance plan administered by CDPHP. If a student has health insurance coverage, they will be required to complete an online waiver verifying their coverage. It is recommended that before a waiver is processed, students will check with their health insurance provider to determine what limitations there may be for coverage in the Albany area. Many plans do not provide benefits “out of network” and many networks do not extend to the Albany area. If this is the case with your health insurance coverage, it is suggested that you do not waive Siena College’s student health insurance plan administered by CDPHP. Part time students may voluntarily enroll in Siena College’s student health insurance plan administered by CDPHP.
Definition of Student
Part-time student - any person enrolled in a minimum of 6 but fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.
Full-time student - any person enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester.
Specific Requirements
1. All full-time students are required to submit a completed Siena College Health Record. The physical exam must be performed within 1 year of admission for new students and students that have been readmitted to the college after an absence of two years or more.
2. Full-time and part-time students born after January 1, 1957, are required to provide proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningitis, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis at the time of registration. Documentation of tuberculosis status is also required, regardless of age.
  1. Measles (rubeola): Proof of immunity shall consist of one of the following: two immunizations given after 1967, at least 30 days apart, on or after the first birthday; evidence of the disease documented by a physician (MD or DO); or documentation of an adequate immune titer.
  2. Mumps (infectious parotitis): Proof of immunity shall consist of one of the following: one immunization given after 1967, on or after the first birthday; evidence of the disease documented by a physician (MD or DO); or documentation of an adequate immune titer.
  3. Rubella (German Measles): Proof of immunity shall consist of one of the following: one immunization given after 1967, on or after the first birthday; evidence of the disease documented by a physician (MD or DO); or documentation of an adequate immune titer.
  4. Meningitis: Evidence of receiving one vaccination at the age of 16 years old or older and within the last 5 years.
  5. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: Evidence of receiving a combined tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis toxoid (TDaP) within 10 years.
  6. Tuberculosis: Evidence of a current tuberculosis screening performed within the past six months or a chest x-ray ruling out active tuberculosis. Positive skin tests will require a referral to the Chest Clinic of the local county Public Health Department (see section on enforcement below). Nursing students working in a healthcare facility may provide evidence of a negative TB test within 1 year.
  7. COVID-19 vaccination series is required for all new and returning students. Incoming students are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by August 1, 2022 (2 dose MRNA vaccine or 1 dose Janssen)
3. It is strongly recommended, but not required, that all students be immunized against Influenza, Hepatitis B and Varicella. Students are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 booster once eligible.
4. Students seeking religious exemption from these requirements must comply with applicable state regulations. Students under 18 years of age must submit a written statement signed by his/her parents or guardian stating that they hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs contrary to the practice of immunization. Students 18 years or older must submit a statement themselves to qualify for religious exemption. This statement must describe the beliefs in sufficient detail to permit the college to determine that the beliefs are religious in nature (not philosophical), and sincerely and genuinely held. Students that qualify for religious exemption will be required to leave the campus in the event of an outbreak of one or more disease(s) and will remain away from campus until 21 days after the outbreak is over.
5. Medical exemptions from this requirement may be granted at the discretion of the Health Service Director for reasons such as pregnancy, history of anaphylaxis, AIDS, and other relevant disease states. Non- immunized students will, at the discretion of the Health Service Director, be required to leave the college in the event of an outbreak of one or more disease(s) and will remain away until 21 days after the outbreak is over.
6. All students (as defined above) must provide health information on the appropriate form and submit it to the Siena Health Service. The Health Service will maintain the records while the student is in continuous attendance at the College.
7. Any individual enrolled in 5 credit hours per semester or less, or any part-time student at Siena who enrolls full-time in the future must, at that time, submit a completed Siena College Health Record and meet all other requirements of a full-time student as set forth in this policy. Any individual enrolled in 5 credit hours per semester or less at Siena who enrolls part-time in the future must, at that time, meet all the requirements of a part-time student as set forth in this policy.
Enforcement of the policy:
1. Students who fail to comply with this policy, including but not limited to any failure to supply complete health and immunization records to the College prior to June 30th for the fall semester and start of classes for spring semester. After 30 days from the start of any semester, the College will disenroll any student who does not have the required immunizations. This means that the student is not allowed to attend any class or to be on College property. In addition, if the student is in residence, they must vacate their residence hall room within 24 hours and are not allowed to be in or around the residence halls or on College property until all immunizations are complete and clearance has been obtained from Health Services. Once a student has provided the necessary documentation from a health care provider that the immunizations are complete or has received clearance from the Health Services they are allowed to resume classes and return living in the residence halls.
2. Students with positive tuberculin tests, including those who have had BCG vaccination, are required to report to the Albany County Health Department Chest Clinic or the Health Department in their county of residence. Failure to comply with health department directives will result in the penalties listed in the preceding paragraph.
Reporting
1. Siena College complies with the requirement to submit yearly reports of immunization statistics including reports of diagnosis of communicable disease, as they occur, as required by NYS Department of Health regulations.
2. Student immunization records contain medical information and will be maintained in a confidential manner. Access to these records will be limited to personnel whose job duties require information from these records. No records can be released without the student’s written consent or for a student under the age of eighteen, the consent of a parent or guardian. All medical records will be stored for seven years.