Grace Thompson
As of June 2021, nearly 30 Catholic institutions of higher learning have announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for students returning to campus in the fall. However, some Catholic universities, such as The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., have chosen not to implement a vaccine mandate, instead emphasizing the need for individuals to make their own decisions based on their conscience. This decision has sparked debate among students and within the broader community, with some arguing that a mandate is necessary to protect public health, while others cite religious objections and individual freedom as reasons for not requiring the vaccine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic University's requirement for COVID vaccine | The Catholic University of America is not requiring students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, it is requiring students to disclose their vaccination status. |
| Catholic colleges requiring COVID vaccine | Georgetown University, Assumption University, Holy Cross College, Boston College, DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, Seattle University, St Mary's University, University of Notre Dame, Trinity Washington University, University of San Diego, Le Moyne College, Gonzaga University, Mount St. Mary's University, Fordham University, Marymount University, Providence College, Marquette University, St. Edward's University |
| Catholic colleges not requiring COVID vaccine | Belmont Abbey College, The Catholic University of America |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic University's stance on COVID vaccines
The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., has refrained from requiring COVID-19 vaccines for students returning to campus in the fall of 2021. The university's president, John Garvey, expressed confidence that most of the student body would get vaccinated without a mandate. A university-wide survey supported this, showing that 70% of the community had already received at least one shot, and they expected this to reach 80-85% in a couple of months. The university strongly encouraged students, faculty, and staff to get their shots, and required students to disclose their vaccination status.
While Catholic University did not enforce a mandate, several other Catholic colleges and universities did. By June 2021, nearly 30 Catholic institutions of higher learning had announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Some of the Catholic colleges that required COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff include:
- Georgetown University in Washington
- Assumption University and Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts
- Boston College
- DePaul University in Chicago
- Loyola University Chicago
- Seattle University
- St Mary’s University in Notre Dame, Indiana
- University of Notre Dame
- Trinity Washington University
- The University of San Diego
- Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York
- Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington
- Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland
- Fordham University in New York
- Marymount University in Virginia
- Providence College in Rhode Island
- Marquette University in Wisconsin
- St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas
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Student and faculty opinions on vaccine mandates
As of June 2021, nearly 30 Catholic institutions of higher learning have announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for students and faculty returning to campus in the fall. However, some Catholic universities, such as The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., have refrained from such mandates, instead strongly encouraging their campus communities to get vaccinated.
Opinions in favour of vaccine mandates
Students and faculty in favour of vaccine mandates have expressed concerns about public health and the safety of the wider community. Some believe that a mandate is necessary to protect vulnerable individuals in the community, such as the elderly, and that it is the responsibility of educational institutions to limit the activities of unvaccinated individuals during a pandemic.
One student, Chloe Van Syckel, a politics major, criticised the Catholic University of America's decision to not enforce a mandate, stating:
> "They're promoting this individualized way of life which is not really how you can operate when you're in a pandemic... I think that it's really selfish."
Another student, Nathan Highley, shared similar sentiments, saying:
> "I think it's too big of a risk to not look into enforcing it... When students are participating in the community, going to stores, going to restaurants, it puts those unvaccinated and elderly members of the community at risk."
Lorena Gonzalez, a sophomore biochemistry major, expressed relief after receiving the vaccine, stating that she hoped others would get vaccinated too. She also emphasised the seriousness of the coronavirus, especially for young people.
Opinions against vaccine mandates
Those opposed to vaccine mandates have cited individual freedom, medical safety, conscientious rights, and reverence for life as reasons for their stance. Some Catholics disagree with the morality of getting coronavirus vaccines, even after Pope Francis became fully vaccinated.
A student at Catholic University, Chloe Van Syckel, expressed concern about the university's decision to not enforce a mandate, stating that it could put the surrounding neighbourhood at risk. However, she respected the university's decision, acknowledging the existence of differing opinions:
> "I think we're respecting people's apprehensions at thetime... I think the whole society is working that out one institution at a time."
University president John Garvey, who contracted COVID-19 and has since been vaccinated, is comfortable with the decision to not mandate vaccines, especially given the less-than-one-percent infection rate on campus. He also expressed sensitivity towards those with reservations about vaccine requirements, including students and employees who shared medical concerns and religious objections.
Additionally, some students have challenged the constitutionality of vaccine mandates in federal court, and a George Mason University law professor is suing his school over its policy of denying merit pay increases to unvaccinated faculty members.
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Catholic University's survey results
A recent university-wide survey at Catholic University revealed that about 70% of the community had already received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, with expectations to reach 80-85% in the following months. This decision to forgo a mandate stems from the university's respect for individual choice and apprehension regarding vaccinations, as expressed by a significant portion of the survey respondents.
In contrast, nearly 30 Catholic institutions of higher learning have instituted COVID-19 vaccine requirements. These colleges include Georgetown University, Assumption University, Holy Cross College, Boston College, DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, Seattle University, and many more. Their decisions are influenced by factors such as community health, safety, and their Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic missions.
The survey results also highlight a willingness among students to get vaccinated, with 80-90% expressing a positive attitude towards vaccination. This eagerness is driven by the desire to resume social lives and return to a sense of normalcy on campus. However, some students at Catholic University disagree with the lack of a mandate, believing it threatens public health and puts unvaccinated and elderly community members at risk.
While Catholic University encourages vaccinations, it ultimately leaves the decision to its students and employees, reflecting the ongoing debate and varied perspectives surrounding vaccine mandates in educational institutions across the United States.
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Catholic colleges requiring COVID vaccines
As of June 2021, nearly 30 Catholic colleges and universities in the United States had announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for students returning to campus in the fall. This included Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, which joined eight other Jesuit institutions that made up nearly a third of Catholic colleges mandating the vaccine. Other Catholic universities with vaccine requirements included Georgetown University in Washington, Assumption University and Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, Boston College, DePaul University in Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Seattle University, St Mary’s University in Notre Dame, Indiana, the University of Notre Dame, Trinity Washington University, the University of San Diego, and Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland, Fordham University in New York, Marymount University in Virginia, Providence College in Rhode Island, and Marquette University in Wisconsin were also among the schools requiring COVID-19 vaccines.
However, some Catholic universities chose not to implement vaccine mandates, including The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Belmont Abbey College near Charlotte, North Carolina, and St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. These institutions emphasized the need for individuals to exercise their own judgment based on their conscience and religious beliefs.
The decision regarding vaccine mandates varied among Catholic colleges, with some prioritizing community health and safety by requiring vaccines, while others opted to strongly encourage vaccinations without enforcing a mandate.
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Catholic colleges not requiring COVID vaccines
As of June 2021, nearly 30 Catholic colleges and universities have announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for students returning to campus in the fall. However, several Catholic colleges and universities have chosen not to implement a vaccine mandate, instead leaving the decision to the individual.
Catholic University of America
Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., is not requiring COVID-19 vaccines for students returning in the fall. The university's president, John Garvey, has stated that he believes most of the student body will get vaccinated before the fall semester, with surveys indicating that 70-85% of the community had already received at least one shot by May 2021.
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Abbey College near Charlotte, North Carolina, has refrained from requiring COVID-19 vaccines for its students. The college's president, Bill Thierfelder, emphasized the need for individuals to make their own prudential judgments in accordance with their conscience.
Other Catholic Colleges Not Requiring Vaccines
While the University of Notre Dame initially required students to be vaccinated by the fall of 2021, it later loosened some of its restrictions as 90% of its students had received their first dose. Similarly, Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, hosted a mass vaccination clinic in April 2021 but has not mandated vaccines, instead opting for a hybrid model of in-person and virtual classes.
The decision not to mandate vaccines at these Catholic colleges and universities contrasts with the guidance from the American College Health Association, which recommends that schools adopt vaccine requirements for the safety of their communities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholic University does not require students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However, they strongly encourage students, faculty, and staff to get their shots.
Yes, Catholic University requires students to submit their vaccination status.
Catholic University's president, John Garvey, has stated that he is comfortable with leaving the decision to students and employees. He believes that most of the community will get vaccinated on their own before the fall semester.
Some Catholic University students are against the decision, believing that it threatens public health. Others agree with the decision, citing individual freedom and religious objections.
