COVID-19 Read/Act: For Safest Learning & Living Community Vaccination Required for All Employees & Students

University Community,

As part of moving forward with plans to fully resume all regular campus operations in the fall semester, Clarkson University will require the COVID-19 vaccine for all students age 16+, faculty, and staff who will be on our campuses. Medical and religious exemptions will be accommodated, but the expectation is that Clarkson will be a largely vaccinated community,  providing the safest learning and living environment for all.  

All employees and student workers in the University community who will work directly in person with K-12 youth as part of their jobs in summer programs and/or recruitment or community outreach will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination by June 21, 2021. All others will be required to complete vaccination requirements by August 1, 2021.  

More detailed information about submitting proof of vaccination will be provided later this month and over the course of the summer.  Persons on the Potsdam campus can currently get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on a walk-in basis at SUNY Potsdam’s Maxcy Hall from 8am to 6pm daily, and other vaccination locations in NYS are shown on the NYS vaccination site, as well as county-based public health professionals offering clinics throughout the State.  

Clarkson’s decision is aligned with the recent announcement by Gov. Cuomo that SUNY and CUNY campuses will require vaccination for the fall semester and is consistent with the recommendations of the American College Health Association, which made a statement last month recognizing that comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective way for institutions of higher education to return to a safe, robust on-campus experience for students in fall semester 2021. 

The CDC updated its interim public health recommendations at the end of April that significantly change the physical distancing, socializing and mask guidance for fully vaccinated people while maintaining restrictions for others. For our own University plans, we are fully committed to an in-person experience for learning and working, with particular considerations for those members of our community who have underlying health conditions that make vaccination inadvisable, those with family members who may still be vulnerable to COVID-19 and for persons with deeply held religious beliefs whereby choosing to be vaccinated is a difficult choice.  

If you have any questions about this communication, please contact clarksonhr@clarkson.edu (employees),  studentaffairs@clarkson.edu (students) and/or me.

Kelly Chezum ‘04
VP for External Relations
Restart/Rebuild Communications Lead
kchezum@clarkson.edu