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Notre Dame And Indiana University Require Students, Faculty, and Staff To Have COVID-19 Vaccinations

By Ethan Burks and Gemma DiCarlo, IPB News | Published on in Education, Health, Science

Indiana University

Before returning to campus for the fall 2021 semester, all Indiana University students, faculty and staff must receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

“This new requirement will allow the university to lift most restrictions on masking and physical distancing,” said IU in a Friday news release.

The university is urging people to get their first dose no later than July 1, so that everyone is fully vaccinated by the time they arrive on campus.

“Knowing that the vast majority of our IU community is vaccinated is the only way the university can confidently return to in-person classes, more in-person events and a more typical university experience,” said IU in an email to campus employees.

Individuals returning must be fully vaccinated by August 15.

Students who fail to meet the requirement will have their class registration terminated, as well as their Crimson Card and access to all university systems including Canvas and email.

“Faculty and staff who choose not to meet the requirement will no longer be able to be employed by Indiana University. Working remotely and not meeting the COVID-19 vaccine requirement is not an option,” said IU.

Exemptions will be limited to a select few who meet the criteria with medical documentation.

Vaccine doses must also be reported to the university with a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record card.

The University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame will require all faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the fall semester.

The university announced last month it would require all undergraduate, graduate and professional students to be vaccinated in order to enroll for fall classes. At the time, faculty and staff were strongly encouraged, but not required, to get the vaccine.

In a letter sent to faculty and staff on Thursday, university officials asked those returning for the fall semester to provide proof of full vaccination no later than Aug. 2, three weeks before the start of classes.

The letter says faculty and staff may apply for an exemption for “medical, religious or other strongly held beliefs.” Those granted an exemption will undergo regular COVID-19 surveillance testing and will still be required to wear masks indoors on campus.

The announcement comes after 90 percent of Notre Dame’s student body received the two-dose Pfizer vaccine over the last two months. The university hasn’t reported a positive COVID-19 case since May 7.