William Paterson Requires COVID-19 Vaccine For On-Campus Students

WAYNE, NJ — William Paterson University will require all on-campus students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the upcoming fall semester. The college has also set deadlines for when students need to receive their first and final dose.

For those receiving the Moderna vaccine, the deadline to receive the first dose is Sunday, while those receiving the Pfizer vaccine need to have done so by July 18. The deadline for students receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is Aug. 11.

All residential and commuter students who plan to attend classes or use campus facilities in the fall will need to be vaccinated.

"The only exception will be those students who are enrolled in WP Online programs, which involve no on-campus instruction, activities, or services and those who qualify under New Jersey law for medical and religious exemptions," college officials said.

The college answered the question of why they're mandating vaccines recently as well.

"WP is requiring students to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 in order to protect the health and safety of our community, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19. The vaccines are extremely effective and the best tool we have to ensure that we have a safe academic year," officials said.

"It is important to note that in a survey of the William Paterson community, a majority of respondents indicated they would feel safer on campus with a vaccine requirement."

Students will have to provide proof of vaccination to attend classes they're currently enrolled in. If not vaccinated, officials said, they will be "deregistered" from their courses until fully vaccinated.

William Paterson isn't the only school to mandate vaccines in the area, as Ramapo College announced they would partner with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center to help their students get vaccinated prior to the new semester. Read more: Ramapo College, Bergen New Bridge Partner For Vaccine Clinics

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