Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
This page offers all of Delaware Public Media's ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it is affecting the First State. Check here regularly for the latest new and information.

UD and DSU will require students to be vaccinated for fall

Daniel Schludi / Unsplash

Both of Delaware’s major universities will require students to be vaccinated in order to return to campus this fall.

   

Delaware State University announced about a month ago that it will require students returning to campus this fall to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The University of Delaware followed suit Wednesday, citing guidance from theAmerican College Health Association

Both schools will make exceptions for students who can’t get the vaccine for documented medical or religious reasons.

But many students seem willing, says UD spokesperson Andrea Boyle Tippett. 

“The internal surveys we’ve done reflect significant interest in vaccination amongst students, faculty and staff, with more than 96% of respondents either are fully vaccinated, are in the process of becoming vaccinated, or have the desire to be vaccinated,” she said. 

UD will make some virtual classes available to students who choose not to return to campus, but Boyle Tippett says the school cannot guarantee students will be able to maintain their current graduation schedule with these online offerings. 

 

During a virtual forum Tuesday, Delaware State University President Tony Allen painted the vaccination policy as part of the “new normal.” 

"In order for us to maintain the type of environment that you’ve become accustomed to at Delaware State University, it will be required that all faculty, staff and students are vaccinated before we open for the fall," he said.

DSU made testing students for the coronavirus a priority this school year, and maintained a low positivity rate.

Anyone age 16 and up is now eligible to be vaccinated in Delaware.  Vaccinations are available through state events, medical providers and pharmacies. Both UD and DSU have hosted vaccination clinics on campus, and plan to hold more.

 
 

Sophia Schmidt is a Delaware native. She comes to Delaware Public Media from NPR’s Weekend Edition in Washington, DC, where she produced arts, politics, science and culture interviews. She previously wrote about education and environment for The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, MA. She graduated from Williams College, where she studied environmental policy and biology, and covered environmental events and local renewable energy for the college paper.
Related Content