Concord Ledger

Colby-Sawyer College issued the following announcement on May 26.

Colby-Sawyer College announced Wednesday it will require all students and employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the fall semester.

In an email sent to students and their families, college officials said the decision to mandate vaccination against COVID-19 was made in the interest of best ensuring the health and wellness of the greater campus community while also allowing for a return to full occupancy in facilities like classrooms, residence halls and the dining hall. In addition, college officials said the requirement will allow for the eventual phasing out of other COVID-19 related policies.

“Requiring the vaccination of students and employees will help Colby-Sawyer return to what it does best, educating students in person and in experiential ways,” Colby-Sawyer College President Susan D. Stuebner said. “We will also be able to resume offering co-curricular activities and events that we otherwise would have to limit. Most of all, the vaccine mandate will ensure the safest learning environment possible for our students and our residential educational experience.”

Given the wide-ranging availability of the COVID-19 vaccine both nationally and locally — individuals 16 and older who live, work or study in New Hampshire have been eligible to receive the vaccine since April 2 — it is the college’s expectation that all students, faculty and staff be fully vaccinated by Aug. 1. This mandate includes commuter and part-time students, as well as any individual seeking to participate in on-site or in-person courses or activities.

Original source can be found here.