PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Lewis & Clark College has announced that it will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all students this fall.
According to a database maintained by the Chronicle of Higher Education, it’s the first institution in Oregon to announce that requirement, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.
In an email to students sent Wednesday, the private college in Portland said all students must be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption by Oct. 15. The policy doesn’t apply to online programs.
“We are eager to return to what we do best: in-person classes in a close-knit environment on one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses,” wrote Robin Holmes-Sullivan, Lewis & Clark vice president of Student Life and dean of students.
The policy only applies to students, but Holmes-Sullivan wrote that the college has “strongly urged” all staff and faculty to be vaccinated. Of the 58 colleges and universities the Chronicle listed in its database as requiring student vaccinations, just six are requiring that employees show proof of having been vaccinated.
The college also anticipates having vaccinations available through their their health service, Holmes-Sullivan said.
According to the college website, students will be able to register for the fall term if they do not have proof of vaccination or an exemption by the deadline, but they “may be subject to disciplinary action, registration holds for future semesters, or other requirements or restrictions necessary to support community health.”
Seattle University said last week it will require students to prove they’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine.
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