Photo Courtesy of Instagram/Xavier University
Fox 8 reported that as of August 25, students at Xavier University, a private catholic school in Louisiana, are being unenrolled from fall classes if they are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
President Reynold Verret sent a letter out to the student body in April of 2021 warning students of vaccination requirements for fall, which would now require COVID-19 vaccines. Unvaccinated students are going to be receiving updated notifications this week about their status.
The Vice President of Administration and the Chief of Staff, Patrice Bell, said, “they will be notified that they do not have health clearance and that they will not be able to join us the effective end of this week.”
“If they are able to provide the documentation or work with us to get through the vaccine protocols prior to that time, then we will be able to make some accommodations,” Bell said. “Otherwise, just like any other vaccine that is required across the nation at any other university, you will not be able to join us for the fall of 2021.”
Over the summer, the university decided to issue the mandate and alerted students and staff before the start of classes.
In the April letter, Verret wrote, “this health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students planning to attend in the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated unless granted a limited exception for documented medical or religious reasons.”
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However, some students feel this is an extreme measure being taken and deem it unnecessary.
“I think it’s unfair to unenroll them because they still need their education. But I can see both sides,” said sophomore Elise Tookes. “They’re trying to protect the students that they have on campus, and they’re trying to make it normal for us as much as possible.”
“I feel like that in itself is crazy,” said fourth-year Kalif Brown who is part of those who are religiously/ medical exempt from the mandate.
“I don’t feel like it should be something I’m forced or my future which is college should be in jeopardy because of the choice I make to or not to get vaccinated,” Brown said.
Bell said the university is accommodating to students unable to enroll in fall and having them enroll in spring.
“We feel it’s very important that we set the standard, not just for our little community at 1 Drexel Drive at Xavier University, but those neighboring communities in the city, the state, and the country,” said Bell.
Students with medical and religious exemptions are being required to take two weekly COVID-19 testings.