CSU to require COVID-19 immunizations for Fall 2021

This message was sent to all students, faculty, and staff on April 22, 2021 by Eduardo M. Ochoa, President

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community remains our highest priority, and we must balance caution with the need to return to our vibrant, immersive learning community. Our decisions for a safe return to campus will be based on facts and evidence.

Chancellor Castro announced today that in the interest of maintaining the health and safety of students, employees, guests, and all members of campus communities, the California State University (CSU) has joined the University of California (UC) in announcing that the universities will require faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities at any university location to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

This requirement is conditioned upon full approval of one or more vaccines by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as adequate availability of the fully approved vaccines. Consistent with the university’s policy for other required vaccinations, the COVID-19 vaccination requirement would allow for students or employees to seek an exemption based on medical or religious grounds.

Today’s announcement, coupled with Governor Newsom’s plan to remove the tiered system of COVID-19 restrictions on June 15, increases the likelihood that CSUMB will return to near full-time in-person instruction for fall 2021. Meanwhile, we continue to refine a backup plan that includes a mix of alternative course offerings, based on three-foot distancing classroom configurations, which gives us options to respond to shifting public health guidance. We intend to move firmly forward with the new CSU vaccination requirement, mask-wearing, and other safety measures, which we anticipate will be part of our plan for a safe return to campus. We will announce our final decision on in-person instruction when we open the Fall class schedule for registration on May 10.

This is good news for the State, the CSU, and CSUMB. The day is drawing closer when we will be able to return to our beloved campus, devoting ourselves to a rich and rewarding student experience in a robust, supportive, and inclusive campus environment.