Decision Based on Anticipated State, Federal Guidance and Wide Availability of Vaccine
Image by Tory Wesnofske
04/28/2021
Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-758-4664 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. – Consistent with the growing consensus of colleges and universities across the country, UMass Lowell will require all residential and commuter students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the beginning of the fall semester to live, learn or visit any UMass Lowell campus or property, campus officials announced today.
“We strongly believe this policy is our most effective tool to return to the vibrant, dynamic and interpersonal pre-pandemic campus life that so many of us are eager to recreate,” Joseph Hartman, UMass Lowell provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, wrote in the announcement to the campus.
He added that the university is making this decision based on widely anticipated additional state and federal public health guidelines in the coming months as well as ample vaccine availability at vaccination sites across Massachusetts and throughout the country.
Hartman wrote that as with other vaccinations that have long been required by UMass Lowell, the university will accommodate medical, disability and religious exemptions consistent with state and federal laws.
An FAQ is available and additional answers and details will be communicated in the coming days and weeks.
“Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to obtain full vaccination as soon as possible and we are encouraged by results of a recent survey that indicated that nearly 90 percent of employees plan to do so by the beginning of fall semester,” Hartman wrote. A similar April survey of more than 5,000 students indicated more than 83 percent intend to be fully vaccinated before fall.
Hartman also directed students and employees to an ongoing partnership between UMass Lowell and Lowell General Hospital providing vaccination appointments to the campus community if they haven’t yet secured an appointment.
“While the vast majority of students and employees have already indicated they plan to be vaccinated as soon as possible,” Hartman wrote, “this requirement will help ensure a far safer campus as well as permit campus interactions and operations much more in line with pre-pandemic levels.”
UMass Lowell is a national research university offering its more than 18,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu