Vaccine, mask requirements: Minnesota colleges and universities' policies

(FOX 9) - The fall semester is about to begin for colleges and universities across Minnesota, and many students will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine before arriving on campus. 

Masks will also be required indoors on some college campuses, including at the University of Minnesota. The mask mandates are in line with the latest masking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends people wear masks indoors in areas with substantial or high risk of COVID-19 transmission, regardless of vaccination status. That currently includes most of Minnesota. 

Here are the mask and vaccine requirements for each college and university in Minnesota. 

Augsburg University

All students, faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks in indoor campus spaces, except when eating in dining areas or in their own residential unit or individual office with the door closed. Students and employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 26, some documented exemptions and extensions allowed.

Carleton College

All individuals are required to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Masks will not be required in living spaces, for individuals in their private work space behind a closed door or while eating or drinking. Students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 when they return to campus for the fall semester, which starts Sept. 6.

College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University

All students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to wear masks indoors and on transportation. All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated, with at least one vaccine dose have been received before returning to campus for the fall semester—Aug. 24 for employees and Aug. 26 for students.

College of St. Scholastica

The COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended, but not required. The college says it will likely add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required vaccines for students once it receives FDA approval. All students, employees and visitors are required to wear masks while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Concordia College-Moorhead

Masks are strongly recommended to be worn in indoor public spaces when with other people. All students and employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks in class and in public spaces on campus. Concordia is strongly encouraging, but not requiring, the COVID-19 vaccine for students and employees.

Concordia University-St. Paul

Masks are not required to be worn on campus for the time being. The university is not requiring students, faculty or staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Gustavus Adolphus College

Students are required to be vaccinated for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Hamline University

All students and employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 15, with some exemptions or extensions.

*Macalester College:* Everyone is required to wear a mask when in indoor public spaces on campus until at least Sept. 22, after which the college will provide an update on its COVID-19 policies based on the current situation. All students and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the fall semester.

Minnesota College of Art and Design

All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 1, with some religious or medical exemptions allowed. Masks will be required indoors for all students, faculty, staff and visitors for at least the first six weeks of the semester, regardless of vaccination status.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Bemidji State, St. Cloud State, Mankato, Metro State, Moorhead etc.)

Students in specific groups or populations, including those who live on campus and student-athletes, will be required to submit proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing. A similar policy is in place for all state employees, including student workers.

North Central University

Students and employees are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the fall semester. Masks are not required, although the university recommends them public settings such as classrooms, common spaces and residence hall common areas.

St. Catherine’s University 

All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 1, with limited exceptions. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is required to wear a mask indoors in common or shared areas on campus.

St. Olaf College

All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated by the start of the fall semester. All students, faculty, staff and campus visitors will be required to wear masks indoors and are encouraged to wear them outdoors in crowded settings.

University of Minnesota (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and Twin Cities)

All students, faculty and staff are required to get the COVID-19 once it receives full FDA approval. Details on the timing of when the requirement will go into place will be announced at a later date. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is required to wear a mask indoors. Most schools are requiring everyone to wear masks indoors on campus, regardless of vaccination status.

St. Mary’s University

Everyone is encouraged, but not required, to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Students and employees are required to wear masks inside all university buildings, but not inside a student’s residence hall room or when employees are working in their office alone.

University of Northwestern-St. Paul

COVID-19 vaccines are recommended, but not required, for students and employees. Masks are recommended to be worn indoors, but not required.

University of St. Thomas

All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated before returning to campus for the fall semester. Everyone is required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, in indoor public spaces including classrooms, labs and meeting rooms, residence hall common areas and dining halls, common areas inside university buildings and the Anderson Student Center. 

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