SUNY, CUNY Systems to Require Students to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

  • By Matt Jones
  • May 11, 2021

On Monday, May 10, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that all students returning to SUNY (State University of New York) and CUNY (City University of New York) campuses for in-person learning this fall will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The SUNY system consists of 64 campuses spread around the state. Cuomo also encouraged private colleges and universities to set the same standard.

Cuomo later clarified that the mandate will take effect only when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives the vaccines their full approval. The three vaccines on the market are currently being distributed under “emergency use authorization.” The vaccines can’t be legally mandatory until they receive full federal approval, which he said he hopes will happen over the summer.

“Let’s make a global statement,” he said. “You cannot go back to school in September unless you have the vaccine.”

Cuomo didn’t mention whether the SUNY Board of Directors must approve the requirement, or whether there will be any exceptions or exemptions. Though Cuomo does hold sway over university policies, the systems’ boards do have to approve any major policy changes on campus. Cuomo said that he expects the SUNY and CUNY boards to go along with the requirement.

Many other universities around the country like Cornell, Yale, Columbia, Rutgers, Brown, and Northeastern will also require returning students to be vaccinated.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • Shooter Still at Large In Brown University Shooting that Killed Two, Injured Nine

    Three days after a mass shooting at Brown University that killed two and injured nine, police are still searching for a suspect. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

Most   Popular