Frequently Asked Questions

All vendors that have been identified as embedded within our university, as defined below, are expected to have their employees fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or meet exemption criteria by Dec. 8, or test weekly.

The term “vendor” includes vendors, sales representatives, consultants, contractors, subcontractors, subconsultants and any other such service providers as the university designates. The university retains sole discretion to determine whether a vendor is covered by the requirement.

Government auditors and inspectors are not considered vendors and are not covered by this requirement.

Embedded status applies to those vendor employees who routinely share an indoor environment with students, faculty or staff for three consecutive hours or more, more than once in a calendar week, or for more than six consecutive hours on any one day in a calendar week.

Employees in the vendor organization who do not meet the definition of embedded are encouraged but not required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

• Typically, embedded vendors have electronic or other advanced access to our campus facilities and systems.
• The university may require vendors that it believes to meet the definition of embedded to execute an agreement confirming their compliance with this requirement.
• Medical Center Lab courier service vendors are considered embedded.
• This requirement applies to any Ohio State campus and in any location where the university conducts business.
• University leasehold tenants are not covered by this requirement. (eg., Wendy’s, Café Oasis, Au Bon Pain), however, these tenants are strongly encouraged to comply.

This definition includes any Ohio State campus and any location where the university conducts business.