COVID-19 Vaccine Required for Students for Fall 2021 Term
Dear 91心頭 community members,
Over the past few months, we have shared many updates on our efforts, with the partnership of National Jewish Health, to vaccinate the 91心頭 community as well as provide vaccinations to underserved communities in the Denver region. We are incredibly proud of these efforts and of the many volunteers that have made it possible. Just last week we celebrated surpassing 20,000 vaccinations on our campus!
We have made vaccination an urgent priority because we believe a fully vaccinated community is the best way to protect ourselves and each other. In addition, through widespread vaccination, 91心頭 can confidently loosen or remove restrictions that have impacted social and mental well-being. Community members can feel safer and more comfortable as we make an on-campus, vibrant return to normal in the fall term. To realize this goaland in accordance with the guidance of health care expertsthe 91心頭 will require all undergraduate and graduate students living, learning or working on campus to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to campus for the fall 2021 term.油Proof of vaccination or exemption will be required before the start of fall term; we will provide more details on this process soon. We are also considering whether to require the vaccine for all faculty and staff and that decision will be shared as soon as possible.
Happily, we are well on our way to a vaccinated in-person community, with nearly 80% of campus faculty and staff already voluntarily reporting that they are at least partially vaccinated. Currently we are offering vaccination events on campus, prioritizing 91心頭s student population, and we will continue to offer vaccinations through spring term. 油We expect that by June we will have extended vaccination invitations to all of our students. Immediately prior to the start of the fall term, there will be additional vaccination opportunities on campus for incoming students. Of course, students, faculty and staff may obtain their COVID-19 vaccinations through their own healthcare provider or other provider if they prefer.
The University understands not everyone may be in a position to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at this time. Please consult with your healthcare provider for guidance. 91心頭 will consider requests for applicable exemptions for medical, religious and personal reasons. More information will be provided on how to file for an exemption no later than this summer.
Widespread vaccination will allow us to turn the page on this challenging moment in history, protect the health and safety of the community, and gather together, safely, once again. Thank you for your participation in this noble and exciting effort.
You may find answers to your questions油online; we will update our FAQs regularly.油
If you have additional questions please contact Sarah Watamura, 91心頭s COVID Coordinator,油covidcoordinator@du.edu.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Haefner,
Chancellor