Dear ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ Community,
As we announced earlier this spring, the University will return to full, in-person classes for the 2021–2022 academic year. We will continue to make informed, science-based decisions in order to help keep the campus and village communities safe. Public health has been the guiding principle in all of our decisions throughout this pandemic, and it is with this in mind that ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ will require up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination for all new and returning students on campus starting May 17.
On-campus vaccination clinics are planned to be held in the Hall of Presidents on May 12, 18, and 25. If you haven’t yet started the process of vaccination, .
This vaccine requirement is aligned with the for COVID-19 vaccination requirements for all on-campus college students this fall. There will, of course, continue to be religious and medical exceptions for all required vaccines, and we will be sharing a form for students to submit proof of vaccination very soon.
Planning is also underway to require vaccination for staff and faculty as well, and we expect to make that announcement as soon as discussions and planning regarding that requirement conclude. Faculty and staff will be notified by the Human Resources Department once this planning is completed.
This decision was made with the health of our community as our priority and based on the data that unequivocally demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccines save lives. Vaccination is one of the best ways to end this pandemic, and we have already made great strides. Two-thirds of students and employees (66%) report that they are already fully vaccinated or are in the process of completing their vaccination series.
Many students will be returning to campus from areas of the country and the world where substantial health inequities exist and vaccine availability is limited (or U.S.-approved/EUA vaccines are not available). The latest from the CDC indicates they will accept WHO- approved vaccines, which currently include Astra-Zeneca. Students in this situation will have immediate access to vaccination upon arrival on campus.
You have shown the world that, by coming together, we can overcome any obstacles or uncertainties, even in a pandemic. Now that vaccinations are being regularly administered around the nation, we are hopeful that we are rapidly approaching a time when we can look back — with great pride and profound thanks — at how well we managed the difficulties of this past year.
With regards,
Dr. Merrill Miller
University Physician
Director, Student Health Services