UNE will require COVID-19 Vaccinations for fall semester

BIDDEFORD — All students enrolled in on-campus classes and all on-campus employees at the University of New England will be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 before the start of the fall 2021 semester.

UNE has campuses in Biddeford and Portland as well as Tangier, Morocco.

The college will allow for medical and religious exemptions to the policy, but vaccinations will be required for specific clinical and academic activities and programs, according to a press release from UNE. Those granted exemptions will be required to wear masks while on campus.

University officials say they made the decision after consultation with the school’s medical and public health experts, legal experts and the COVID-19 response committee, as well as student, faculty, and professional staff governing bodies

“We are learning more every day about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in protecting us from serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, as well as the vaccines’ ability to prevent transmission of the virus to others,” said UNE President James Herbert in a written statement. “As vaccines become increasingly available, we can all envision how this incredible scientific advancement will allow us to return to the normal UNE activities on our campuses we all miss so much.” 

UNE will update its health and safety protocols with guidance from the Federal Center for Disease Control and the Maine CDC. Some safety measures will continue into the fall, but school officials hope to have a fall semester that is “as close to normal as possible,” with classrooms, residence halls and labs at full occupancy, according to the press release.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020, I have watched our students, faculty, and professional staff demonstrate deep commitment to their work while making incredible sacrifices,” said Herbert. “I have been especially saddened by what our students have lost, and I am eager to restore the full and vibrant experience of a UNE education as soon as possible. I encourage all students, faculty, and professional staff to take advantage of the many vaccination opportunities here in Maine or in their home state as soon as possible.”

UNE is also working with the Maine CDC to hold vaccine clinics on campus for students and employees. The university is holding its first clinic for students this week on the Biddeford Campus and will invite employees to be vaccinated if extra doses are available.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].