SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield College announced that it is requiring all undergraduate and graduate students who study on campus to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the fall semester begins.
Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper also said in a statement that a process will be in place for accommodating medical and religious exemptions for certain students.
President Mary-Beth Cooper also said faculty and staff who are in direct contact with students are required to be fully vaccinated.
Students who are interested in getting the vaccine can get it on campus on May 5 or May 6, as the college previously announced they’re partnering with CVS for a vaccine clinic that would be held in Blake Arena from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This clinic is an option for those interested in receiving their first dose before the end of the academic year, but the second dose needs to be administered at a CVS pharmacy.
Some students like Freshman Joe Francoletti have already signed up for the vaccine, “I think it’s a great opportunity in general to protect myself and finally put an end to this pandemic in general.”
Brenda LeDuc is not happy by the announcement from Springfield College. Her daughter is a freshman at Springfield and although she said she respects the college’s guidelines with mandatory weekly COVID-19 tests, she doesn’t agree with the latest regulations.
“Her and I both disagree with the vaccination process. There is just not enough data to support the benefits and the risks involved and I don’t think we should be forced to put something in our bodies that we don’t agree with,” said LeDuc.
Many Schools across the state and country are now requiring students to be fully vaccinated. Springfield College now joins several western Massachusetts schools including UMass, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College and Hampshire College.
