Together Safely: COVID-19 Vaccine Policy for Fall 2021

May 19, 2021

Dear Albion Parents and Families,

As you know, Albion College will welcome students back for full in-person classes for Fall 2021 following our standard academic calendar.

Earlier this morning, our COVID-19 team shared with students, faculty and staff that, in order to support the continued health and well-being of our community, and following rigorous consultation with public health advisors and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the College has made the decision to require that all students, faculty and staff receive a COVID-19 vaccination in order to return to campus for the Fall 2021 semester.

Students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to submit a medical or religious waiver should they require an exemption from this policy.

Over the spring semester, we saw dramatic decreases in positive cases as more of our community received the vaccine. We also experienced an overwhelmingly positive response to vaccine opportunities on campus. In a student survey conducted this spring, almost 80% of respondents indicated that they would like to sign up for a vaccine appointment, with close to 10% of additional respondents indicating that they had either already secured a vaccine appointment or been vaccinated. The majority of faculty and staff have also received vaccinations. Albion College’s proactive approach to risk mitigation was noted by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in her recent commencement address to the Classes of 2021 and 2020 as a leading example in Michigan.

Throughout the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, our focus has been managing the risk associated with COVID-19 and prioritizing the health and safety of our entire campus community. Thanks to the collaboration of our students, faculty and staff, we have been able to offer a highly successful year of in-person teaching and learning. This vaccination requirement is a continuation of that commitment.

Students, faculty and staff will need to present proof of vaccination or complete a waiver by August 1, 2021. We will share details of a safe and secure process for uploading your proof of immunization later in the summer. You can find more information in our COVID-19 Vaccine Policy FAQ.

More details on Albion’s approach to the Fall 2021 semester, including important updates regarding both academics and student activities, can be found on the College’s Together Safely website as the Fall 2021 semester nears.

Thank you for all that you continue to do to support the health and well-being of our Albion community.

Dr. Mathew Johnson
President, Albion College