Frequently Asked Questions

Toronto » Frequently Asked Questions

All students, faculty, contractors, volunteers and staff at the Toronto campus will be expected to submit proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination can be submitted using the Vaccine Verification form. 

Campus Access and Events
Vaccination and Testing
International Students
University Protocols

  1. Campus Access and Events

  2. What should a student, faculty, or staff member at the Toronto campus do if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19? 

  1. What are the building hours at the Toronto campus? 

  • Regular campus hours are: Mon – Wed: 9 am to 10 pm, Thu: 9 am to 9 pm, Fri: 9 am to 5 pm, Sat – Sun: 9 am to 5 pm.

  1. What is the visitor policy on the Toronto campus?

  • Visitors are welcome at the Toronto campus and are required to present proof of full vaccination upon arrival. Please see below for the definition of full vaccination.

  1. Is eating allowed on campus? 

  • In accordance with the university policy on locations for safe eating and drinking on campus, eating is not allowed in classrooms or hallways.
  • At this time, beverages are permitted in classrooms or hallways. There are several food courts conveniently available for use in the building, specifically the 2nd floor food court until 3 pm on weekdays. 
  • A dedicated eating area is available on the 52nd floor of the campus starting at 3 pm weekdays and weekends. A maximum capacity of 4 is observed at all times.

  1. Are there specific quarantine guidelines students should follow when traveling to the Toronto campus? 

  • As of January 15, 2022, unvaccinated travelers 18 years old and over will not be permitted to travel to Canada, including international students. Please consult the latest travel measures from the Government of Canada for more information.
  • Visit the  FAQ for COVID-19 for students in Canada page for detailed information about travel to Toronto.

  1. Are there specific entry protocols that students, faculty, and staff will follow at the Toronto campus? 

  • Northeastern ID should be displayed on a lanyard upon arrival to campus
  • Campus staff will confirm that individuals seeking entrance to the campus have submitted proof of vaccination, or negative test results, as required.

  1. Are there specific cleaning protocols students, staff, and faculty will need to follow? 

  • A “Clean In & Clean Out” policy will be implemented for study and class areas. There will be sanitizing wipes available throughout campus. Between classes, a dedicated cleaning crew will cover high touch areas such as tables and chairs.

  1. Vaccination and Testing

  2. I have questions about the vaccination requirement. Who can I talk to? 

  • Please reach out to [email protected] for questions or concerns related to the Northeastern University—Toronto vaccination requirements. 

  1. How will vaccination status be confirmed?

  • Students, faculty, and staff should use the Vaccine Verification Form to submit documentation of their COVID-19 immunization. Individuals vaccinated in Ontario may submit their vaccination receipt available here.

    Please note that the second receipt issued in Ontario provides confirmation of both doses received. Individuals who have received a two dose vaccine series in Ontario may therefore upload just the second receipt.

  1. What if I need to submit more than one document as proof of vaccination?

  • Individuals who received vaccine doses through two different healthcare systems may need to upload more than two documents in order to demonstrate completion of a full vaccine series. Individuals in this situation should complete the Vaccine Verification Form twice, providing details and documentation for each dose separately.
  • Individuals who need to submit evidence of a third dose of a COVID vaccine can use the External Medical Documentation Form. (Select the “Vaccine” option on the checkbox list and in the drop down box select “Other”).

  1. If I’ve already had COVID-19 and recovered/I have a test that shows I have antibodies, do I still need to get vaccinated?

  •  Yes

  1. Where can I get vaccinated? How do I book an appointment?

  1. Where can I learn more about COVID-19 vaccines?

  • You can find more information on Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website. The province has a three-phased vaccination plan with vaccines available to the public beginning in July 2021 

  1. What is the definition of fully vaccinated?

  • Individuals are considered fully vaccinated if they have received:
  • The full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of such vaccines, or
  • One or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or
  • Three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada; and
  • They received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.

  1. What if I am not yet fully vaccinated?

  • Students should plan to attend on-campus courses remotely prior to being fully vaccinated. Once you are fully vaccinated according to the above standard, and you have submitted your proof of vaccination, you can begin attending classes in person.  
  • Toronto campus staff members should contact their manager.

  1. Does this policy apply to me if I don’t attend campus?

  • While the university strongly encourages all members of our campus community to get vaccinated if they are able to,only individuals who attend campus are required to submit proof of vaccination or a request for a medical exemption. Students who are studying 100% online and have no intention of visiting campus in the foreseeable future do not need to submit proof of vaccination or request an exemption. The same applies to faculty who are teaching 100% online and have no intention of visiting campus in the foreseeable future. 

  1. Why is the University requiring people to submit proof of their vaccination status?

  • At this point, vaccination is proving to be the best way to control and ultimately defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the best tool we have for promoting the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.  

  1. How will the University use this vaccination status information?

  • Vaccine status information is treated confidentially by the university, as we would do with any shared medical information. The information faculty, staff, and students provide regarding their vaccination status or plans will be treated confidentially and will not become part of a faculty or staff personnel file. The information may also be used in a limited number of ways, including for reporting, as required, to government agencies to comply with public health requirements in certain campus locations. 

  1. Do I need to be fully vaccinated before I come to campus?

  • All members of the Toronto campus community must be fully vaccinated prior to coming to campus (with the exception of individuals who have received an exemption). Please note that this means that individuals must have completed a full series of an approved vaccine at least 14 days ago. Individuals may not resume visiting campus until this14-day period has elapsed.  

  1. Can I request an exemption?

  • Northeastern community members may request an exemption to the above policy through the Vaccine Verification form. Please note that exemptions will be granted on a medical basis only. Individuals seeking an exemption to the Toronto campus vaccine policy must submit documentation provided by a physician or a nurse practitioner based in Canada. The documentation should spell out a medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as the effective time-period for the medical reason. 

  1. Does it matter what type of vaccine I get?

  1. If I got a vaccine that is not on the approved list, should I get revaccinated? 

  1. What if I have already received a non-approved vaccine?

  • If you have received a vaccine that is not a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, we encourage you to get vaccinated with an approved vaccine as soon as it is safe to do so. Please seek medical guidance regarding the appropriate timing of your next vaccination appointment. When you have completed the full course of an approved vaccine, please submit proof of vaccination through the Vaccine Verification Form.

  1. Does this policy apply to me if I am on co-op?

  • Students who are on co-op and have no intention on visiting campus are not required to comply with the mandatory vaccination policy. You are however required to comply with any workplace safety regulations that have been instituted by your co-op employer. Assuming that the mandatory vaccination verification policy is still in effect at that time, students will be required to submit proof of vaccination upon completion of their co-op and return to campus.

  1. International Students

  2. Does it matter which kind of vaccine I get?

  1. Will the University provide vaccinations to international students?

  1. Where can I find more information about how COVID-19 regulations affect me as an international student?

  1. Our number one priority remains the health and wellbeing of our community. Click here to read more on Northeastern University’s vaccination requirements, including up-to-date university messages and FAQs.