Vincent M. Franco
Staff Writer
All University of La Verne students and faculty who plan to return to in-person classes this semester must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination – and booster – by today or within two weeks of becoming eligible for the third booster shot.
This is an update to the University’s previous vaccination policy, and it follows the recommendations from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and it is in line with updated COVID policies of universities across the state and nation.
“Having individuals be up-to-date is going to make a difference in our ability to (stay) in-person,” said Chief Student Affairs Officer Juan Regalado.
After the mostly online start of spring 2022 semester, most classes will return to in-person Monday.
The County Health Department along with state and federal health regulators consider the two-dose vaccine – plus a booster dose – the best protection against serious illness and the best way to slow the spread of the disease, as we enter year three of the coronavirus pandemic.
The University is offering free vaccinations and boosters via the health center by appointment.
“They are effective in reducing hospitalizations,” said Jamie Solis, director of student health services.
“It doesn’t mean that you’re not going to get COVID,” Solis said, adding that all COVID research finds that vaccination dramatically reduces the need for hospitalization.
Vaccinations and boosters also slow community spread, protecting the most vulnerable, and lowering the chances that a new variant will crop up.
Walk-in COVID-19 test clinics will also be available from 8:30 to 2:30 Monday through Friday, starting today, on the first floor of the parking structure at D Street and Arrow Highway.
Those who received their vaccines less than five months ago will be eligible for – and required to get – boosters at the five-month mark.
Students and faculty should upload their vaccine information via a new portal system the University adopted, Med+Proctor, which can be found at the University’s student health web page.
The University will still allow vaccine exemptions for medical, religious, American with Disabilities Act, and philosophical reasons. Exemptions are evaluated via student services and human resources for students and employees respectively.Those exempt will be required to test for the virus regularly.
Vincent M. Franco can be reached at vincent.franco@laverne.edu.
Vincent Matthew Franco is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print and online journalism. He has been involved in journalism and print media in high school, community college and is now at the social media editor of the Campus Times and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. He previously served as arts editor.
Jingyao Liang, a junior business administration major and photography minor, is a staff photographer for the Campus Times.
