Many private colleges in NC mandate vaccines. Public schools don’t, but do recommend it
Some private universities in North Carolina are joining the hundreds of schools nationwide requiring students to get a COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campus in August.
But North Carolina’s 16 public universities are not, citing a “lack of clear legal authority.”
Some public universities across the country have a coronavirus vaccine mandate. Indiana University just got the green light to require student vaccinations with a recent federal court ruling.
The universities requiring vaccines will make exemptions for medical and religious reasons.
Here are the North Carolina colleges and universities that are requiring COVID-19 vaccines, and those that aren’t but strongly recommend it.
UNC System universities, including UNC-CH and N.C. State
UNC System schools will not require vaccines, but they are strongly recommending students get vaccinated before the fall semester and will have free vaccine clinics set up at several campuses.
The system has cited a “lack of clear legal authority” in the matter and advised the campuses that only the North Carolina Commission for Public Health may mandate immunizations for college students.
UNC System President Peter Hans instructed universities to implement a “get vaccinated or get tested” policy for students and employees who report their vaccination status to the university. Unvaccinated students must participate in regular surveillance testing, which occurs once or twice a week at most schools. Vaccinated students are exempt from the testing program.
Duke University
All Duke students must be vaccinated to attend classes and other campus activities this fall. All faculty and staff are expected to present proof of vaccination by Sept. 1.
As of June 29, more than 81% of Duke’s faculty and staff and nearly 10,000 students were fully vaccinated.
All students will be tested when they arrive at Duke and will participate in weekly surveillance testing. Students who have an exemption from being vaccinated will have to get tested twice a week, wear masks and follow other COVID-19 protocols. Faculty and staff with a vaccination exemption will also participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.
Shaw University
At Shaw University, the historically Black university in Raleigh, all new and returning students who intend to be on campus need to provide proof of vaccination to Student Health before they can enroll for the Fall 2021 semester.
Campbell University
Campbell University will require all students to show proof of full vaccination or testing negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of returning to campus. Students who have not been fully vaccinated or have not submitted that negative COVID-19 test can get a rapid result COVID test on campus when they arrive. Unvaccinated students are required to wear a mask when inside campus facilities.
Elon University
All Elon University students must provide documentation of being fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. The rule applies to all undergraduate, graduate and law students enrolled in classes, living on campus, participating in study abroad/away or participating in on-campus activities on any Elon campus during Fall Semester 2021.
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem requires all students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the fall semester. Starting Aug. 1, students who have not yet provided the required documentation will be removed from enrolled courses and assigned housing.
Saint Augustine’s University
All students, faculty, and staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the historically Black college in Raleigh. This includes full-time and part-time students, faculty and staff.
Davidson College
Davidson College is not requiring COVID-19 vaccines, but students and employees who are not vaccinated must follow stricter rules. The university is asking all vaccinated students and employees to submit proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated students and employees must wear a mask indoors, participate in and pay for weekly COVID-19 testing and will have limited access to some campus facilities.
Meredith College
The all-women’s college in Raleigh will require students and employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the beginning of the Spring 2022 semester.
The college was waiting to implement a vaccine mandate until at least one of the vaccines received full approval from the FDA, which Pfizer has received. But students and employees can get Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines to meet the requirement.
This story will be updated as more North Carolina schools announce vaccine requirements.
This story was originally published July 24, 2021 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Many private colleges in NC mandate vaccines. Public schools don’t, but do recommend it."
