AMHERST — Amherst College is joining its Five College peers in mandating that students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the fall semester.
College President Biddy Martin late last week wrote a letter to students, faculty and staff explaining the necessity of vaccinations.
“In keeping with our determination to provide a robust teaching and learning environment for students, faculty and staff, while implementing prudent safety measures, we have decided that all students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus for the fall 2021 semester,” Martin wrote.
Like the University of Massachusetts and Smith, Mount Holyoke and Hampshire colleges, exemptions can be sought for medical or religious reasons.
Martin’s message also comes with a strong recommendation that faculty and staff obtain vaccinations.
The immersive living and learning model at the Amherst campus depends on preventing the spread of infection, Martin notes.
“With each passing day, it becomes clearer that vaccines are extremely effective at preventing cases of COVID-19, especially the most severe cases involving hospitalization and death,” Martin wrote.
The college is already well on its way to meeting the vaccination goals. As of Friday morning, more than 55% of on-campus students and more than 64% of faculty and staff authorized to work on campus are either fully vaccinated or have begun the process.
