THE California State University announced on Tuesday, July 27 that it will require faculty, staff and students on the system’s campuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The university said though the dates to certify vaccinations will vary by campuses, they should be completed no later than September 30.

“The current surge in COVID cases due to the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant is an alarming new factor that we must consider as we look to maintain the health and well-being of students, employees and visitors to our campuses this fall,” said CSU Chancellor Joseph I. Castro. “Receiving a COVID vaccine continues to be the best way to mitigate the spread of the virus. We urge all members of the CSU community to get vaccinated as soon as possible, and announcing this requirement now allows members of the CSU community to receive multiple doses of a vaccine as we head into the beginning of the fall term.”

Several CSU campuses are serving as host facilities for vaccine distribution. CSU employees or students who wish to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should contact their campus for availability.

The CSU’s COVID-19 vaccination policy will allow students and employees to seek medical and religious exemptions.

For represented employees, the university’s requirement will take effect immediately upon implementation of the policy; however, represented employees will not be subject to disciplinary action while the CSU is in the meet and confer process with its labor unions.

The university will share a final policy in the coming days, it said. (AJPress)