BALTIMORE, MD (WEAA) — Morgan State University and the University System of Maryland will require students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campuses in the fall.
Morgan State President Dr. David Wilson and the University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay Perman made the annoucements Friday morning.
Morgan is requiring all faculty, staff and students to have received a full vaccination by August 1, 2021.
“After careful consideration, extensive internal and external consultation and supportive feedback from a myriad of members from within our Morgan community, the best path forward to a return to normalcy is to require everyone within our community to get vaccinated,” said President Wilson. “The science is credible; vaccinations are the only way that we are going to achieve herd immunity, and everyone must be a part of that solution. We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work through these challenging times together, with the safety of the greater community at mind.”
President Wilson is forming a Vaccination Management Team that will be responsible for putting forth a comprehensive plan to manage the process.
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University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay Perman says the mandate was not undertaken lightly.
“It was based on the recommendation of a USM workgroup I convened this semester—one that includes university-based experts in public health, infectious disease, and emergency management. It was based on advice from the USM presidents—all 12 System presidents—and their cabinets. It was based on consultation with the University System’s shared governance councils representing students, faculty, and staff”, Perman stated.
Perman believes mandating a COVID vaccine is the most effective strategy in order to reach herd immunity.
“It’s not just one tool in this fight; it’s our best tool. And one I believe is critical to our safe return to campus.”
USM includes Bowie State University; Coppin State University; Frostburg State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Baltimore; University of Maryland Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; University of Maryland Global Campus; and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
MSU and USM will allow appropriate exemptions for medical or religious reasons.
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