Fiat getting vaccinated and back to normal

Dear Alfred University students:

We look forward to being back in-person with respect to our classes and co-curricular activities this Fall. To ensure that your experience at Alfred University is impactful, robust, safe, and as unconstrained as possible this note is to let you know that we will be requiring all students taking classes or participating in activities on campus this Fall to be fully vaccinated before arriving in Alfred in August.

The benefits of being fully vaccinated are:

• Safety: The vaccines which have been approved to date by the FDA for emergency use are highly effective. Regular use approval of these vaccines is expected in the near future.
• Weekly COVID testing and masking in classrooms and other campus settings where social distancing is not possible will not be required for vaccinated individuals.
• Quarantining will not be necessary for vaccinated individuals who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID.
• Participation in and attendance at co-curricular activities can return to normal.

Fully vaccinated means two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, followed by a 14-day waiting period. Please plan to meet this threshold, including the 14-day waiting period, prior to your return to campus.

According to a recent survey of Alfred University students, more than 93% of the 935 who responded have already been vaccinated or plan to be vaccinated (75% already have; 18% intend to be). In response to a separate survey, 91% of the 325 faculty/staff who responded have already been or intend to be vaccinated (86% already have; 5% intend to be). Thank you all for participating in the survey and for all that you have already been doing, collectively, to get vaccinated. 

Medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions about vaccinations or exemptions, or if you are unable to access a vaccine provider, please reach out to our Wellness Center at (607) 871-2400. More information about COVID requirements, vaccines, exemptions, and other related issues will be provided as it becomes available.

Fiat getting vaccinated and back to normal!

Mark