Pace University To Require Coronavirus Vaccine For Fall Semester

PLEASANTVILLE, NY — Pace University announced Tuesday it will require all faculty, staff and students to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

In a letter to the Pace community, signed by President Marvin Krislov, Provost Vanya Quinones and Brian Anderson, the university's director of emergency management and environmental health and safety, the university will require at the beginning of the fall 2021 semester proof of vaccination against the virus for everyone who will come to the campuses, including Pleasantville in Westchester County.

"Last week, New York reached a crucial milestone: 70 percent of all adults in the state have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine," the letter said. "That accomplishment allowed Governor Andrew Cuomo to lift most pandemic restrictions. The state is also recording extraordinarily low positivity rates, thanks to the rollout of these safe and effective vaccines."

Because of those facts, school officials decided the university can move ahead with a return to normal.

For those planning to be on campus at the beginning of the fall semester Aug. 16, proof of vaccination status must be uploaded to the Confidential Patient Portal by Aug. 1.

Effective July 1, masking and distancing guidelines will be lifted on all Pace campuses for all vaccinated individuals who have uploaded their vaccine records. Everyone at the university will still have the option of wearing a mask for their own safety and comfort.

University officials said those who are not fully vaccinated will continue to be responsible for wearing masks and observing distance, in accordance with guidance from the state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the fall semester, most vaccinated individuals will be exempt from the university's testing protocols. Some groups may still be required to test, and tests will remain available for anyone who wants one.

The schools will continue to require completion of the Pace Safe questionnaire each day people come to the campus.

"This marks a big step forward for our state and for Pace," school officials said. "While we reserve the right to reinstate some precautions if the situation changes, trends in the United States (and especially in our region) look good.

"We expect further relaxation of restrictions as more people are vaccinated," they said.

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