Even more institutions are likely to follow, according to Lynn Pasquerella, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Across the country, campuses struggled to remain open over the last year as fraternities, sororities and off-campus parties drove sudden spikes in coronavirus cases among undergraduates. Meanwhile, students overwhelmingly declared remote school a poor substitute for being in the classroom.
As eligibility and access for Covid vaccines expands, schools must consider how a vaccine mandate can help higher education get back on track, Pasquerella said.
For those enrolled in school, there are many vaccination requirements already in place to prevent the spread of diseases such as polio, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
Capitol Confidential By Edward McKinley on May 11, 2021 at 6:30 AM
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Monday that State University of New York campuses will require COVID-19 vaccinations for students starting in the fall semester. The policy will also apply to the City University of New York, and Cuomo said he would encourage private colleges to adopt it as well. (TU)
The U.S. Treasury will start pumping $350 billion in relief funds to state and local governments with the first payments beginning in a matter of days, senior administration officials said. New York will receive $12.7 billion, while Albany County will receive $59.3 million and the city of Albany will get $80.7 million.
By Terry Trahim
May 11, 2021
When SUNY and CUNY students return to in-person classes in the Fall, they will have to be vaccinated.
“You go to a SUNY school, State University of New York, City University of New York, you must have a vaccine to come back in September.
Governor Cuomo called on private universities to follow the same standard.
“That will be a major motivation for people to get the vaccine. And if you have to get it by September, you may as well get it now,” Cuomo said.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
New federal guidelines on rent relief are out. This could complicate things for New York’s program.
The White House’s guidelines require that aid be offered directly to tenants in cases where the landlord refuses to cooperate. They also allow states to provide funds directly to tenants without first contacting their landlords.
Meanwhile, New York’s rules permit landlords or tenants to apply for funds, but landlords are not required to accept the funds. In those cases, other tenant protections kick in, but the funds are routed to another household and landlord. It is not yet clear if the federal rules will require state legislators to tweak their bill. Some landlords are concerned that the federal guidelines don’t explicitly state that tenants must use any relief they receive for rent arrears.
New York State Team
Two very different versions of a post-COVID-19 pandemic world have emerged in New York state as authorities pursue plans for separating people based on vaccination status in certain circumstances.
For those vaccinated, life will soon once again include jam-packed concerts, fans crammed into baseball stadiums and other raucous celebrations filling large outdoor venues.
For the unvaccinated, however, it will feature occupancy limits at venues and social distance rules that have kept people at least six feet apart to limit the spread of coronavirus over the past year.
The growing divide stemmed from new state directives allowing specialized treatment of vaccinated people. At large outdoor venues, for example, that includes creating special areas without social-distancing requirements for vaccinated attendees, beginning May 19. Mask wearing would still be required at all venues.