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Central Michigan University Requiring COVID Vaccinations for Staff and Students or Weekly Negative Test

Central Michigan University is updating its health and safety plan in anticipation of the fall semester.

By Friday, Sept. 3, all students, faculty and students must provide full proof of COVID-19 vaccination or begin weekly COVID-19 testing.

This comes as the Delta variant is on the rise across the nation, state and in Isabella County.

“We had to adjust and this is one of those adjustments,” says CMU President Bob Davies. “Using the three primary strategies- vaccination, robust testing, and mask wearing -are what are going to keep our community safe.”

Those people who choose to be vaccinated can complete a voluntary attestation form and share copy of their vaccination card. This allows them to opt out of weekly COVID tests. Individuals who choose not to be vaccinated, of fill out the form, will have to complete weekly testing which is free on-campus beginning Aug. 30. The first test result or vaccine card must be shared by Sept. 3.

“We will have a process in which if someone does not get the vaccination and does not test, we will have a progressive process to have them be a part of our community,” Davies says. “At the same time, commitment to social responsibility is important as well. It’s when it becomes perpetual that consequences will continue to escalate.”

Many individuals were involved in this decision.

“I spent a lot of time listening to faculty, staff, students, to parents and to community members,” says Davies. “There’s been a lot of discussion on our campus, our academic senate last Monday. I also talked to representatives of the various employee groups throughout campus. This is a very difficult decision because it is very contentious. This is one where people look at it from their perspective.”

For now, these rules give people choice to do what is right for them while the university continues to provide education and resources about the virus and prevention.

“I think there are a lot of individuals on campus and throughout our area that are still hesitant for various reasons,” says Davies. “As an institution of education this is the time to bring those together and have these discussions and allow students, faculty and employees to have those options.”

CMU is also requiring that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public areas, specifically indoors, on campus.

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