As I noted in an earlier Campus Chronicle article, vaccination for COVID-19 is being strongly recommended, but not required, for students attending in-person classes at the college this Fall.*
Because there have been recent media inquiries regarding our policy, I want to communicate some of the rationale behind our decision.
Over the past year, we have heard from many current and prospective students and parents who have expressed concerns that mandated COVID-19 vaccination imposes an undue burden on their ability to advance their education and pursue careers.
Many also noted what they perceived to be a double standard – the college mandating vaccination for students, while faculty, staff, high schoolers and visitors on campus were not mandated to be vaccinated. (Of note, more than 85 percent of students who registered for in-person Fall 2022 courses have voluntarily submitted proof of vaccination to the college. Only 65 percent of college faculty and staff have provided proof of vaccination to date.)
Above all else, however, we wished to keep our community safe, and we complied with a NYS Executive Order that required mandatory vaccination for SUNY students that was initially put in place by Governor Cuomo for Fall 2021, and we continued to do so when Governor Hochul issued another Executive Order with guidance for the Spring 2022 semester.
When no further guidance came from the Governor’s office following the Spring 2022 term, the college made the decision this summer to not mandate, but still strongly encourage, COVID-19 vaccination for students entering or continuing in the fall term. This decision provides greater flexibility and choice and was made following discussions with leadership of our sponsoring county (Rensselaer County), our Board of Trustees and student leadership.
Our reasoning for this decision focused on the current status of the pandemic in our community and also considered other general factors, including:
- Employees, visitors and high school students on campus are not required to be vaccinated.
- The college does not have dormitories or residence halls, and many students are on campus for only a few hours a day.
- The lack of a mandate for NYS K-12 students to be vaccinated, even though vaccines are now available for those age groups. Many high school students are dual-enrolled in college courses.
- The fact that most government agencies, businesses, community and not-for-profit organizations no longer require vaccination to participate in in-person activities.
- The lack of a COVID booster requirement of students in current SUNY guidelines.
- The fact that vaccination alone does not prevent infection or transmission of the virus.
It is important to note that we will continue to encourage vaccination as well as provide testing and vaccination services for COVID-19 right on campus, and we will continue to monitor the situation surrounding COVID-19 as we have throughout the pandemic and respond accordingly.
Thank you,
Louis Coplin
Vice President, Student Affairs
* Please note that students enrolled in Health Science programs requiring participation in a clinical or internship held at a third-party location must comply with all health and safety guidelines, including any vaccination or testing protocols, that are in place at the third-party location.
Published: Thu, 18 Aug 2022 12:30:46 +0000 by l.coplin