La Roche to mandate covid vaccines for resident students, student athletes
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La Roche University in McCandless will require all resident students and student athletes be vaccinated against covid-19 by the start of the fall semester.
Students in the nursing program who are scheduled for clinical experiences and students who apply for study abroad trips will also need to be vaccinated, Rosemary McCarthy, the school’s chief pandemic safety officer, wrote in an email sent to students on Friday.
Commuter students who do not a play a sport are not required to be vaccinated, though school officials “highly encourage” all students to get the vaccine.
“The La Roche community rallied last year in extraordinary circumstances, and we learned how best practices keep us all safe,” McCarthy wrote. “The best practice now is to acquire the vaccine so that we can gather for the classes, events and everyday moments that make up the La Roche experience.”
Students should start the vaccination process by July 26 to give themselves enough time to receive both doses of a two-dose vaccine. After the second dose is administered, two additional weeks are required to pass before an individual is considered fully vaccinated.
For students who are unable to be vaccinated before the start of the semester, the university will host a vaccine clinic on campus.
All resident students and student athletes will need to provide proof of their vaccination by submitting a photo of the vaccine card to the school’s online housing portal.
Resident students or student athletes with a medical exemption to the vaccine requirement will need to submit a waiver prior to the start of the fall semester.
Students who decline to be vaccinated will have to undergo covid-19 testing three to five days prior to move-in, and the school will not pay for any fees associated with testing. Unvaccinated students may also be required to undergo random testing throughout the semester.
La Roche will have designated living areas in two of their dorm buildings — Peters Hall and Bold Hall — for unvaccinated students. Unvaccinated students will not be permitted to visit other residence halls or rooms occupied by vaccinated students.
“Students who must leave prior to the end of the semester due to covid-19 sickness, and who have not provided the university proof of vaccination, will not be eligible for refunds on housing and dining fees,” McCarthy wrote.
Vaccinated students who are exposed to covid-19 will not be required to quarantine, she said.
La Roche’s announcement comes as a slew of local universities are weighing decisions about covid-19 vaccination for the upcoming semester.
The University of Pittsburgh is recommending, but not requiring vaccination. Saint Vincent College is also strongly recommending the vaccine, but not requiring it.
Carnegie Mellon University is requiring covid-19 vaccines — along with Duquesne and Chatham.
State-owned universities would need the state legislature to permit them to require the vaccine, something it has not done.