Thursday, Apr 29, 2021
Dear Rider University community,
In order to help enable the best possible return to campus, Rider University is requiring all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled this fall to receive a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). This applies to all students who are enrolled or will otherwise be present on campus for any reason. Students enrolled in fully online degree programs who do not physically come to campus will not require vaccination, although it is strongly encouraged.
Students are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination (completion of the two-dose vaccine or one dose for single-dose vaccine) via the Healthy Broncs portal no later than August 1, 2021. Early arrival students must submit proof of vaccination two weeks before they return to campus. Valid religious and documented medical exemptions will be considered. International students are advised to get vaccinated in the United States before they return to their home countries for the summer.
Students who do not submit proof of vaccination and who have not been exempted by the University will not be allowed to attend in-person classes, live in the residence halls or otherwise access campus.
This decision, made at a time when vaccine eligibility extends nationwide to anyone 16 and over and as the vaccine is more widely available, will support our ability to return to more normal operations this fall with in-person classes, events and activities and a greater residential student presence. It is also consistent with existing student vaccination requirements as well as with the decisions of many other institutions of higher education across the country and region.
A decision has not yet been made whether or not to require employees to provide proof of vaccination prior to the start of the fall semester. We have reached out to our bargaining unit representatives to engage them as this review unfolds. In the meantime, Rider strongly encourages all members of our community to get vaccinated.
More detailed information is forthcoming. Please continue to check your Rider email even after the academic semester ends. In the meantime, questions can be directed to [email protected].
Sincerely,
The COVID-19 implementation team