SUNY Fredonia.

Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval this week for the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 years of age and older, SUNY Fredonia students are now required to get the vaccine.

In an email to students, Stephen H. Kolison, Jr., college president and professor, noted that the SUNY-mandated directive for all students to be vaccinated is now in place for all campuses, including Fredonia State. “Hence, pursuant to SUNY policy, every student has up to 35 days to provide proof of vaccination or submit a request for a medical or religious exemption for campus review,” he said.

Kolison stated that at this point, SUNY is not mandating that faculty and staff be vaccinated due to labor rules. “However, we strongly encourage all employees to get vaccinated soon in light of the continuing health threat posed by COVID-19 and its variants. I am thankful to union leadership on campus for encouraging vaccination for its members,” he added.

To assist unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff, to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination, SUNY Fredonia is hosting a vaccination clinic today, Aug. 25.

SUNY Fredonia previously announced that facial coverings are still required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor spaces. The only exceptions are in personal living spaces, individual workspaces, and during indoor eating and drinking. This requirement pertains to students, faculty, staff, and all visitors to campus. The college plans on reevaluating this requirement by Sept. 16.

Kolison thanked students for their role in helping to defeat the virus. “As has been the case from the very start, we are confident that our campus community will continue to do the right thing to ensure that this campus remains a safe and healthy place to interact, learn, work, and live. I appreciate everything each person is doing to protect this community from COVID-19,” he said.