A South Florida college is opening campus in the fall — but with a vaccine rule for all
Nova Southeastern University returns to full in-person classroom learning in the fall — but with one caveat: “NSU is mandating that all students and employees be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by August 1.”
NSU spokesman Joe Donzelli said the policy makes the Broward-based university “different from what other colleges and universities have announced for the fall 2021 semester.”
The university’s administration said at a news conference in Fort Lauderdale on Friday that the availability of the vaccine — so far, the two-dose Pfiizer and Moderna and single-dose Johnson & Johnson — “will enable us to return to a ‘partial pre-pandemic’ environment if we adopt a stringent requirement that all be vaccinated.”
Students on campus in the fall
At NSU, students will have to attend classes on campus in the fall with a few exceptions, depending on the programs.
“The pandemic has presented many challenges over the last year, and we came together to adapt and I am truly proud of the NSU community,” George Hanbury, NSU’s president and CEO, said at the conference. “It’s thanks to the vigilance of our students, faculty and staff that we’ve remained free from significant outbreaks this year.”
In coming weeks, NSU plans to produce a formal policy providing for limited exemptions, such as medical conditions that prohibit vaccination or for those who have sincerely held religious beliefs — “not personal beliefs,” the university said.
A detailed policy will follow in advance of the effective dates — July 1 for some Health Professions Division programs. The policy is to outline NSU’s process for providing proof of vaccination and how to request consideration for a limited exemption.
NSU’s main campus at 3301 College Ave. in Davie is a vaccination site and encourages students and staff to take advantage and get vaccinated. Florida’s new age requirements go into effect on Monday, April 6 — 18 and above for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, 16 and up for Pfizer.
Besides NSU’s main campus, the university also has locations in Miami, Miramar, Palm Beach Gardens, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville and Puerto Rico.
“We have been through a lot together, and I personally look forward to welcoming everyone back to face-to-face classes and activities on our campuses again this fall,” Hanbury said.
However, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently pledged to issue emergency rules preventing businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccinations through COVID-19 “passports.” The governor wants the Legislature to pass a permanent ban citing privacy concerns.
The university’s position?
“NSU will continue to fully follow the letter of the law. Should the governor enact new legislation, we have proven that we can pivot quickly to both follow the law and protect our community of students and staff with life-saving health and safety measures,” NSU spokesman Brandon Hensler told the Miami Herald. “Everything we are doing is based on the science and data, and we are working hard to create the safest learning environment for our students — based on CDC guidance — from preschool through doctoral programs.”
What other universities are doing
Florida International University is currently taking a different tack as far as requirements are concerned.
“We have been working hard to facilitate vaccines for the university community but are not requiring them at this time for students, faculty or staff,” said FIU spokeswoman Maydel Santana.
University of Miami President Julio Frenk sent a video message to students and staff on March 26. He said at UM “we expect the Fall 2021 semester to look much more like the U experience did before coronavirus. Making that expectation a reality requires more than hope, it takes planning and investing in the right tools based on lessons learned.”
Frenk stressed the need to remain vigilant against the novel coronavirus. “In the coming weeks, students and faculty will receive more detailed information about fall classes and activities.”
This story was originally published April 2, 2021 at 10:16 AM.
