Marquette University requiring all students to be fully vaccinated by Aug. 1

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Marquette University announced they are requiring all students for the 2021-22 academic year to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 1.

This includes all undergraduate, graduates, and professionals.

Officials say the decision was made after consulting with health experts and it was endorsed by the university's COVID-19 Response Team, the University Academic Senate Executive Committee, the Staff Senate and the Graduate Student Organization.

The Marquette University Student Government Executive Board was consulted before making the decision. 

UW Health said the decision will help vaccinate the college age population, which is currently a top priority of the medical community.

"From the perspective of the virus, you know, it is looking for a host that it will cause to feel somewhat ill, but not very ill," UW Health Medical Director of Infection Control Nasia Safdar said. "That individual may still go around, engage in activities, infect other people. And college age kids are in that group."

Read the full letter to students below: 

Dear current and incoming Marquette students,

At Marquette, we are committed to being the difference. Our Catholic, Jesuit mission and values call on us to care for each other and serve the common good. We recognize that your time at Marquette is a special one in your life, and we want you to have the best experience possible. In this spirit, we are requiring that students (undergraduate, graduate, professional) who will be attending classes during the 2021-22 academic year be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 1, 2021. This decision was made after consulting with health experts, and it has been endorsed by the university’s COVID-19 Response Team, the University Academic Senate Executive Committee, the Staff Senate and the Graduate Student Organization. University leadership also consulted with the Marquette University Student Government Executive Board before making this decision, and will be continuing to work alongside them as well as other student leaders to ensure that all students’ needs and interests are fully represented and supported.

Scientific evidence has shown that vaccines are safe and effective at reducing transmission of the virus. A vaccinated student population will allow us to provide you with a richer in-person experience, reduce testing and let you interact more freely across campus. You will need to provide proof of vaccination status as soon as possible by uploading your vaccination card to the MU Patient Portal. As is the case with our other required vaccines, students can request an exemption for medical or religious reasons or based on their personal conviction. Students who are granted an exemption will be required to undergo surveillance testing for COVID-19. We will provide additional information in future editions of Marquette Today, and you can find answers to questions on the Frequently Asked Questions page page of our COVID-19 website. We will also be providing additional information directly to international students and students living abroad in the coming weeks.

You have my best wishes for a blessed summer. I’m looking forward to seeing you in-person this fall.

Best,

Dr. Michael R. Lovell
President

Students who spoke to CBS 58 were generally in favor of the decision.

"I think it's a responsible step from the university," sophomore Manuel Gonzolez said.

 "We should be trying to head towards herd immunity and I think Marquette requiring vaccinations is just kind of following in that path," junior Ava Bloom said.

"I personally agree with it," junior Ava Brandt said. "I do see where others are against it, and I see their concerns, but I personally believe that you should be vaccinated if you can."

"I'm vaccinated, so it doesn't really matter to me anymore," sophomore Kennedy Moore said. "But if they're taking that step in the right direction, then sounds good to me."

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