Updated: Monday, September 30, 2024
As many colleges prepare to welcome a larger number of students back to campus this fall, some universities are moving to require COVID-19 vaccines for all members of the community who will be in person. To date, more than 100 universities in the United States have said that vaccines will be mandatory for students who are planning to return to campus in the fall.
In addition to vaccine requirements, colleges are taking several additional steps to help keep students safe during the pandemic. Keep reading to learn more about the safety precautions that universities are instating and the schools that will require vaccines for students this fall.
According to The Chronicle, over 600 college campuses have decided to issue vaccination requirements for students and/or faculty and staff. While policies will vary from school to school, most colleges with these policies will require students to submit proof of their completed vaccination status prior to the start of the fall semester. Some institutions that will be requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for the fall of 2021 include:
In addition to vaccination requirements or encouragement, some schools are also re-implementing mask policies as the Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread in the US. This comes on the heels of a CDC announcement that states vaccinated individuals might still need to mask up in certain situations. Harvard, Duke, and the University of Memphis are some of the schools that announced new masking policies shortly after the CDC guidance was released.
Instead of making COVID-19 vaccinations a blanket requirement, some colleges are instead giving students a choice between testing and vaccinations. For example, Baylor University in Texas and Calvin University in Michigan have both announced that students who have been inoculated can skip COVID-19 testing that is otherwise mandatory for all students on campus.
Other colleges have taken a different approach by choosing to offer incentives designed to encourage students to get vaccinated before returning to campus. One example of a school choosing this strategy is the University of Wyoming. While vaccinations aren’t required to attend in-person classes as of now, students who are vaccinated have the chance to participate in a weekly drawing for prizes that include tickets to a campus football or basketball game and Apple products. On a similar note, employees who are fully vaccinated are eligible for a personal day off.
Speaking of faculty, it’s important to note that many schools’ vaccination requirements extend to their entire community, including faculty and employees. While some colleges are only making vaccinations a requirement for students who are on campus, others are taking it a step further. Some schools that are requiring vaccinations for employees, as well as students, include Washington State University, Syracuse University, School of Visual Arts, and George Washington University.
Since many colleges are still finalizing their plans and policies for the fall 2021 academic semester, it’s important for college students and high school seniors to monitor their college website for updates on their pandemic response plan. If you’re getting ready to apply to college and looking for additional insights on the application process, our team of college admissions counselors can provide personalized guidance and help you identify your best-fit schools.
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