DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Some universities across the US will require students to get the COVID vaccine before returning to campus in fall.
Local colleges are talking about it too.
St. Norbert College says at this time, it’s not required, but it is strongly encouraged.
St. Norbert Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Julie Massey tells FOX 11 that’s partially because the vaccine is under emergency use authorization.
“To date, we have landed in the direction of strongly encourage and educate about benefits and not yet moved to requirement.”
Some St. Norbert students say they believe it should be left up to the individual to decide whether or not to get the vaccine.
“I’m okay with getting it but I know some other people are 100% against it,” St. Norbert freshman Brayden Nelson said.
“I think it’s more of a personal decision I think. If the school did it here I wouldn’t be against it,” St. Norbert freshman Ethan Johnson said.
Both students and faculty agree that the campus has done a good job following protocols throughout the year.
“We’ve seen that they’re willing to do what it takes…We’re very optimistic that they will see the benefits of vaccination,” Massey said.
Lawrence University is also considering making the COVID vaccine a requirement, but President Mark Burstein tells FOX 11 the university has yet to make a decision.
“Running a college campus with some students who are vaccinated and some who are not would get very complicated to manage.”
Lawrence would also take exemptions into account.
“We’ll need to make a decision probably in June or July. We’ll also know a lot more about whether vaccines are available, if there are any adverse reactions to vaccines, we’re learning that day by day, week by week,” Burstein said.
Both universities say they’ve already required different types of vaccinations in the past.
