UM To Require COVID-19 Vaccine For Students Living On Campus

ANN ARBOR, MI — The University of Michigan will require students who live on its Ann Arbor campus during the fall term to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, the university announced Friday.

The decision was announced by Vice President for Student Life Martino Harmon during the university’s weekly COVID-19 briefing and only applies to students who will live on residence halls and other university housing.

“We know that widespread vaccination will be the only way to facilitate a return to normal and robust campus life. And we would like to provide a living environment for students this coming fall that is as close to the fall of 2019, pre-COVID-19, as possible,” Harmon said. “This is not a mandate to be vaccinated, but rather a choice to live in communal living and therefore make the choice to get vaccinated.”

Someone is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, or after one dose of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. However, administration of the J&J shot has been paused as authorities investigate blood clots that may be associated with it.

The university recently asked all students to voluntarily share their vaccination information by completing the self-report tool on Wolverine Access and uploading an image of their COVID-19 vaccination card or the appropriate documentation from a medical professional confirming vaccination, according to a university news release.

That information will be used by campus officials to make decisions in relation to student experiences on campus and within the residence halls. It also will aid in granting exemptions from weekly testing and quarantine requirements, according to the university.

Students are required to provide proof of their vaccination or an approved exemption by July 15 to be permitted to move into their assigned room, officials said.