Come September 3, 2021 some unvaccinated students will have to make new living arrangements as the University of the West Indies Mona will require all students living on campus to provide proof of vaccination.
In a communication sent out by the Campus Registrar on Thursday (August 26) Donovan Stanberry said the measure was necessary to “maintain a safe living environment for staff and students”.
“Persons currently residing in the halls who have not received, at minimum, their first vaccination shot, where applicable, are required to do so by Friday, September 3, 2021 in order to remain in the facility,” read the communication.
“Evidence of vaccination, with any of the approved vaccines must be provided to the relevant student services and development manager in order to secure accommodation in the halls of residence,” added the Campus Registrar.
It is not a mandate says Stanberry
According to Stanberry the requirement is not a vaccine mandate, as he notes that living on residence is a privilege.
“The residence is a space that allows for close interaction with young people-our students. So given the prevalence of the Delta variant, that we are grappling with now and, given the high positivity rates and so on, we have taken a decision to ask those who want to exercise the privilege of being on the halls of residence to be vaccinated,” said Stanberry.
“This is not a mandate. All this is saying is that if you want to have the privilege of staying on the hall you have to be vaccinated, as a precaution to ensure that the halls of residence do not become a cluster,” added Stanberry.
Partially vaccinated students allowed to remain
Partially vaccinated students already residing on campus, are encouraged to get fully inoculated but will be allowed to remain on the residence.
Students unable to take the vaccine for religious or health reason, provided that they submit the requisite documentation, will be considered on case by case basis.
The university also used the occasion to share that the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre on the campus is a vaccine site, with those wanting to take the jab able to do so at the location provided that they have a government issued identification.
