Fairleigh Dickinson To Require Students Get COVID Vaccine

MADISON, NJ — Fairleigh Dickinson joined a growing number of universities that will require students to get fully vaccinating against COVID-19 before returning to campus this fall. The university will require inoculation for students attending their Metropolitan and Florham campuses and may do the same for faculty and staff.

The requirement extends to all students on campus for living arrangements, class or any other in-person activities.

"While we will of course allow exemptions for medical and religious reasons when warranted," wrote President Christopher A. Capuano, "we expect that the vast majority of students, faculty, and staff will be fully vaccinated by the time we open in the fall, and that our campuses will have reached herd immunity by then, which may allow us to relax space restrictions in classrooms, residence halls, and other areas in accordance with prevailing guidelines."

Rutgers announced last month it would require COVID-19 vaccinations before a fall return to campus, and several universities have followed. Gov. Phil Murphy said he was "very impressed" with Rutgers' decision, but he hasn't issued guidance for other colleges and universities. But critics of the move say it limits personal choices.

"I have asked for a bill to be drawn up that any school that takes state funding cannot mandate a vaccine," said state Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, who represents New Jersey's 13th Legislative district. "It's not that I don't believe in the vaccine; I got the vaccine. I just don't believe we should mandate people to get it, especially kids."

Fairleigh Dickinson is New Jersey's largest private university, while Rutgers is the state's largest public college. Other institutions, such as Drew University, haven't imposed a requirement but "strongly encourage" the university community to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Fairleigh Dickinson recently opened registration for fall courses. But students must upload a copy of their vaccination card to Medicat, a private-cloud service that provides a portal for health info on campuses and offers "unmatched security," according to its website. Medicat will also provide a form for students to request exemptions.

The mandate is required for students who attend the Metropolitan campus (based in Teaneck) and Florham campus, which has a Madison address but is based where the borough converges with Florham Park.

Campus Vaccine Mandates and Issues

Colleges have long required vaccinations against infectious diseases. A recent survey showed 87.5 percent of campuses required the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

Universities will most often enforce vaccine mandates through a registration hold, which bars students from signing up for classes until they meet the requirement. Some schools prohibit students from campus housing without proof of vaccination.

But currently approved COVID-19 vaccines only have emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA could fully approve the COVID-19 vaccines as early as summer.

The American Council on Education, which represents universities, feels confident such mandates pass legal muster.

"The legal right of institutions to require COVID-19 vaccination for students seems likely to be upheld as vaccine availability increases," the council said in an issue brief. The statement includes alternatives to mandates, such as offering incentives to get vaccinated and making online learning available for students who opt against getting the shot.

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