Two local colleges, Kenyon College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), have implemented different policies on requiring students to get COVID-19 vaccines.
“Kenyon College requires students enrolling in the 2021-2022 academic year to provide proof of immunization for all vaccines recommended by the CDC, including COVID-19 and influenza,” college spokeswoman Janet Marsden told the Mount Vernon News. “Requests for reasonable accommodations for medical exceptions and sincerely held religious beliefs will be considered on an individual basis."
There is no vaccine requirement at MVNU.
“MVNU is encouraging vaccination but not requiring it," spokeswoman Samantha Scoles told the Mount Vernon News.
Last month, Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law House Bill 244, prohibiting public schools from requiring students to have vaccines that have not received full authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including the vaccines currently available.
The law also prohibits discrimination against the unvaccinated, including "requiring the individual to engage in or refrain from engaging in activities or precautions that differ from the activities or precautions of an individual who has received such a vaccine."
Both Kenyon and Mount Vernon Nazarene are private schools.
“As a private college where nearly all students live on campus, Kenyon has a responsibility to use the most effective tools available to promote the health of its community,” Marsden said.
Kenyon students, hailing from many different countries, have expressed support for the college’s policy, she added.
“Not only is the policy in keeping with the latest public health guidance for residential colleges (American College Health Association), it aligns with the values and practices of the majority of our campus community,” she said.
Since the college vaccination policy went into effect in June, there have been no reported COVID-19 cases among students living on campus or employees working there, Marsden said.
