Many state colleges require COVID boosters
Colleges across Connecticut have asked students and faculty to get boosted, and fast, while the pandemic surges just as they prepared to reopen after winter break.
Many colleges and universities are requiring all students and staff to receive COVID-19 booster doses or request exemptions, such as Yale and Sacred Heart University. A few schools and systems have yet to introduce requirements, though the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and some private schools are on that list.
On Tuesday, the universities of New Haven and Hartford became the latest colleges to require all eligible students and employees to get the dose this month, per communications sent to students and employees.
“While we are hopeful we will be able to host an on-campus booster clinic at some point this spring, it is not guaranteed,” said Anthony Santella, the COVID-19 coordinator at University of New Haven. “Those who are eligible for the booster now should not wait.”
Students whose booster documentation has not been approved prior to arrival will have to take a COVID-19 test, Santella said.
The University of Connecticut also told students they will be required to be boosted once eligible. On Tuesday, university spokesperson Stephanie Reitz confirmed discussions are still underway about mandating the
doses for faculty and staff.
UConn classes were moved online for at least the first two weeks of the semester, university officials announced on Thursday. The current move-in date for residential students is the weekend of Jan. 29.
“This is subject to further change based on the course of the pandemic,” said Andrew Agwunobi, the interim president, in a letter to students and employees.
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, which includes the community colleges, Charter Oak State College and Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Connecticut state universities, were taking a different approach as of mid-week.
“We recognize that boosters are essential in preventing severe illness and are strongly encouraging everyone who is eligible to get a booster,” said system spokesperson Leigh Appleby. “At this time we do not have a booster mandate for students or employees.”
Appleby added CSCU expects to have an announcement on beginning-of-semester plans this week, including if students will begin in-person classes as scheduled and testing protocols.
“At the very least we will continue to require those who are not fully vaccinated to submit to weekly testing,” he said.
Fairfield University has not mandated the shots, though it recently hosted a vaccination booster clinic and is planning another one, according to Jennifer Anderson, the vice president of marketing and communications. At the end of last month, Fairfield also moved final exams for students to online or alternate formats.
Nearby, the University of Bridgeport has taken a similar approach for now.
“University of Bridgeport is moving forward with no changes to its reopening plans,” said spokesperson Jennifer Asaro, though officials “strongly encouraged” students and faculty to return to campus with boosters. The university will also hold an on-campus vaccine booster clinic on Wednesday.
Trinity College, meanwhile, delayed its spring semester to Jan. 31 and is requiring vaccinated students and staff to submit proof of a booster shot within 30 days of becoming eligible, according to its website. The college is also requiring PCR COVID tests upon return and increased testing frequency during the first month of the semester.
Students and staff at Quinnipiac University are required to receive their booster by midFebruary, with some exceptions, according to its website. Quinnipiac will also host booster clinics on campus and previously implemented a negative COVID-19 test requirement to return from winter break.
Connecticut College is also requiring booster doses, and students also received test kits to use before returning to campus, according to its website.
Wesleyan University was among the first colleges to institute a booster requirement for students and staff in November. Proof of most updated vaccination cards is due in mid-January. Winter sessions went virtual, though at last communications spring courses remained on track for in-person learning. Students are expected to get COVID tests before arriving, then again upon return to campus.
Sacred Heart will also require booster shots for students and employees, and will work with Hartford HealthCare to schedule booster clinics on campus, with dates expected to come soon, said spokesperson Deborah Noack. The university is also requiring a PCR test upon reentry and will offer tests on site.
Yale University will require students and staff to be boosted before returning to campus or as soon as they become eligible, Hearst Connecticut Media previously reported, with medical and religious vaccine exemptions still in place.
The university also delayed the start of the semester for undergraduate students to Jan. 25, when classes will be online. In-person teaching will resume on Feb. 7. Students are required to test before and within 24 hours of arrival.
Albertus Magnus College and Post University also have booster requirements, according to their websites.