A growing number of American colleges and universities are demanding that students receive Covid-19 vaccinations.

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So far, at least 14 colleges have said vaccinations will be needed, according to a CNN count – and that number is expected to increase.

Universities have been pursuing vaccination policies since late March, when Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, was among the first to say that if all students are vaccinated, an “ accelerated return to normal before the pandemic ” will be possible. personal lessons possible, as well as more events on campus that are allowed.

“This health policy update means that, with few exceptions, all students planning to attend the fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated,” said a statement by Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway, adding that proof of vaccination is required.

Rutgers’s faculty and staff are also strongly urged to get vaccinated, but the statement does not say it was necessary for them.

Cornell, Brown, the University of Notre Dame, Northeastern, Syracuse University and Ithaca in New York and Fort Lewis College in Colorado have since made similar announcements, though they will all make exceptions for medical or religious reasons.

This is what universities are telling students, staff

Cornell expects all members of the university community to be vaccinated in the spring or summer.

Individuals who are unable to be vaccinated prior to their arrival on campus “are expected to be vaccinated as soon as possible after arrival, and Cornell is exploring ways to facilitate this process,” said a university statement.

Cornell has also developed an online COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination tool so that students and staff can record their vaccination status.

Brown University said in its announcement that it plans to return to a schedule of “mostly personal surgeries” when the fall semester begins, and will require the Covid-19 vaccine for every student who enters campus.

“Our plans to ease current restrictions on personal activities by the fall of 2021 are based on achieving a high level of immunity among students and employees who will be on campus,” University president Christina Paxson said in a statement.

In a message sent to the university community on Thursday, Syracuse University said vaccines will be required for all student faculty and staff on campus before the fall semester of 2021.

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Notre Dame will require all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to be vaccinated, but has not specified whether this will also be required of faculty and staff.

Ithaca College said in a statement Wednesday that the Covid-19 vaccine will allow for a fall semester that “resembles a pre-pandemic” normal, “with a greatly reduced risk of infection for our campus community.”

Northeastern also plans to fully reopen by the fall so that all students can return and all classes can resume in person.

“We expect to be back in full personal to normal occupancy, including full face-to-face teaching, and normal occupancy in residence halls and dining facilities,” said Ken Henderson, Chancellor and senior vice president for learning at Northeastern.

Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, one of the first schools to close its campus at the start of the coronavirus pandemic last March, will now require students to submit their vaccination certificate through an online portal.

Two universities require staff vaccinations

Two universities, St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Broward, Florida, go a step further and require students and all campus employees to be vaccinated because they have a responsibility to learn safely. environment for students, teachers and staff.
“The university’s focus during the COVID-19 pandemic remains the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and guests on the hilltop,” said St. Edward’s University in its statement. “The university also recognizes that the community health standards implemented at Hilltop are impacting the greater Austin community.”

In the April 1 announcement, NSU said “with the added protection of widespread vaccination, the NSU community will be able to resume more activities and operations sooner, leading to a more engaged educational and professional experience.”

Since the announcement, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order stating that vaccines are available but not required, and that any government agency or company is prohibited from requiring a vaccine passport.

On Thursday, NSU posted an update that it is now reviewing the executive order and how it relates to its vaccine requirements.

In addition, the president’s office has been hearing from the NSU community in recent days – some voiced their support and others shared your questions and concerns. This is all carefully considered and we will have more details for you next week, ”said one. statement from the university.

CNN’s Laura Ly, Rebekah Riess and Alta Spells contributed to this report.

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