CSU requires COVID vaccines for students, faculty, and staff

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California State University – the largest public university system in the US for four years – requires students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus for the fall semester. Medical and religious exemptions will be allowed, as non-vaccinated students will have to undergo frequent coronavirus screenings.

The decision announced Tuesday was prompted by the continued rise in the delta variable across California. It came a day after state officials announced that government and health care workers would be required to provide proof of vaccination, and more than a week after the University of California mandated vaccinations for students and staff.

Cal State Counsellor, Joseph I. Castro, said earlier that any vaccination request would wait until formal federal approval. But the plans changed because the Food and Drug Administration did not say whether it would grant approval by the start of the next semester.

“The FDA has not given full approval yet as we approach the start of the semester. Just as important, the increased prevalence of the really highly contagious delta variant has led to a change in vision,” he said in an interview with The Times. “We are making sure that on each campus, we will make a concerted effort to vaccinate our students, faculty, and staff… Many of our campuses have had clinics on site and others have entered into partnerships with other organizations. I expect that we will continue to enhance those efforts.”

Castro, who also consulted with the union of faculty, academic senators, and California state students, said the decision to implement the vaccination requirement was unanimous among all 23 university presidents and leaders.

Cal State spokesman Mike Ollenkamp said California’s operation will largely depend on the trust. Students will have to certify that they have been fully vaccinated or seek an exemption and certify that their answers are accurate and truthful. The Cal State campus can independently request proof of vaccination as the next step in the initial certification process.

The logistics of the policy is still being dismantled, and Cal State is still in discussion with college labor union groups.

It’s not clear what kind of disciplinary action can be taken against someone who has not adhered to the requirements, but at this point the policy includes a warning that any student or employee who does not provide certification “may be denied access to campus/programs.”

All degrees must be completed no later than September 30, but the deadline may be soon for some universities as there are no 23 universities on the same semester start date.

The number of unvaccinated young people has been a growing concern across the country. Nearly 11.9 million adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have been vaccinated within the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is about 43% of that population.

It’s unclear how many students across the California state system have actually been vaccinated, but universities in areas with low vaccination rates are expected to have similarly low rates. Castro said California leaders are currently discussing incentives for vaccinations such as financial aid and library vouchers, as part of an ongoing effort to get students to get vaccinated.

Although California State University will offer more online class options than it did before the pandemic, it may be difficult for a student to take a fully virtual course. Castro suggests that any student who wishes to remain unvaccinated, without exception, consider hypothetical options. Still, he hopes most students will opt for the vaccine.

“I very much hope that all of our students, faculty, and staff will be vaccinated,” he said.

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