President

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

August 9, 2021

Dear all,

I am writing to update you on Vassar’s vaccination policy given the increased spread and hospitalizations in Dutchess County, nationally, and globally due to COVID-19 variants. The College is instituting a universal COVID-19 vaccine policy. This means all students, faculty, and employees will be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Universal vaccination is the most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19, and this universal vaccine policy will bring the vaccination rate in the college community to nearly 100 percent.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all students and employees who have already been vaccinated, as well as the leadership of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Communications Workers of America (CWA), and Hudson Valley Safety and Security Officers Union, and their respective memberships. So far your efforts have yielded an overall campus-wide vaccination rate of 86%, which will now go even higher, thanks to the universal vaccination policy.

Highlights of the new vaccination policy include:

  • Faculty must provide documentation of at least a first dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine by Friday, August 20. All other employees must document at least their first dose by Friday, August 27. Human Resources will provide instructions shortly to employees about how to submit proof of vaccination and/or exemption.
  • Students who are unable to be vaccinated will be tested weekly for COVID-19.
  • Employees who are unable to be vaccinated will continue to complete a daily health attestation, wear a mask while indoors, and other measures, depending on the employee’s job responsibilities.

We are committed to keeping the campus safe and healthy for everyone this coming academic year, and the universal vaccine policy will help us do so. We will continue to monitor all federal and regional health guidelines and will update Vassar’s protocols accordingly.

I look forward to seeing everyone on campus in just a few short weeks. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar