TO: Campus Community
FR: Karen Moranski, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Joyce Lopes, Vice President for Administration and Finance
Wm. Gregory Sawyer, Vice President for Student Affairs
Today, the CSU and UC university systems each issued statements announcing that COVID-19 vaccines will be required for students, faculty, and staff who are accessing campus facilities at any of the university campuses.
This requirement is conditioned upon full approval of one or more vaccines by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With vaccine availability expanding in Sonoma County, this announcement helps provide returning members of our campus and the incoming class ample time to receive a vaccine.
The vaccine requirement will become effective at the beginning of the Fall 2021 term or upon full FDA approval of one or more of the COVID-19 vaccines, whichever occurs later. As of April 21, the vaccination rate in California continues to climb – 27 million vaccine doses have been administered, with 44% of Californians having received at least one dose.
We are looking forward to resuming more in-person instruction and activities this Fall. Currently, we aim to teach over 50 percent of classes in-person, and we will be working to determine whether this vaccine requirement will allow us to increase that percentage. In preparation for fall, we will make every effort to ensure the campus community has access to the vaccine. To that end, we are pleased to share that next week, on April 28 and 29, SSU is partnering with RiteAid to host a vaccine clinic on campus at the Cooperage. The COVID-19 vaccine is free, and there is no requirement to provide proof of insurance, county residency, or U.S. citizenship. This 2-day vaccine clinic will be open to all Seawolves and members of our surrounding community. More details about this clinic and how to schedule an appointment will be available soon.
Before implementing any changes to the CSU’s existing immunization requirements, the CSU will engage the California State Student Association, the CSU Academic Senate, and labor unions. Consistent with the CSU’s policy for other required vaccinations, the COVID-19 vaccination requirement would allow students or employees to seek an exemption based on medical or religious grounds. The policy and related implementation details are under development and will be made available once the consultations have concluded.