Fanshawe College not mandating campus-wide COVID-19 vaccinations

As post-secondary institutions across Ontario have been issuing COVID-19 vaccination mandates for a return to in-person learning in the fall, Fanshawe College says it will not follow suit. 

Fanshawe faculty, staff and students will not require a vaccine to come onto campus. However, students living in residence and participating in varsity sports will require proof of vaccination.

"The college's top priority remains the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the communities it serves. Fanshawe will continue to follow public health guidelines on how to safely deliver exceptional learning experiences for its students," the college wrote in a media release.

The college says the fall semester will see a mix of online and in-person learning, with 60 per cent of students learning remotely. There will also be reduced class sizes and physical distancing in classrooms on campus. Staff will also be returning to work on a gradual basis, along with a new flexible work policy.

Face coverings will also be mandatory indoors, in line with public health protocols.

While a COVID-19 mandate is not being implemented, Fanshawe says they strongly encourage all students and staff to get fully vaccinated.

On Wednesday, Western University announced that this fall it is mandating the vaccine for all students, faculty and staff and will require a proof of vaccination. Those who do not produce that documentation, must be tested for COVID-19 twice a week.

The university initially told students who are planning to live in residence in late May that they must receive at least one dose of a vaccination before they arrive in September. Fanshawe issued the same mandate a week later.