EUGENE, Ore. — Lane Community College announced Wednesday that it will require all students attending on-campus classes to be vaccinated against COVID-19 when fall term begins in September. The policy move was approved by the LCC Board of Education at its July 21 meeting.
“All of us are eager to put the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and come together again in-person as a campus community,” said LCC President Margaret Hamilton. “Widespread vaccination is our clearest and best path toward that future. These vaccines have been proven safe and effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, and LCC is committed to being a partner in the public health of our region.”
LCC has been actively encouraging students and employees to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and able. Starting Fall term, students coming to campus will need to verify their vaccinated status unless they are claiming a medical or non-medical exemption.
“Lane students and employees have expressed overwhelming support for a vaccination requirement,” said LCC Board Chair Lisa Fragala. “Many are excited to join their peers and teachers back in the classroom this September, and a vaccination requirement best positions the college to have a safe and engaging school year.”
In an effort to make COVID-19 vaccines more accessible to its community, LCC will continue to offer vaccines through its Student Health Clinic. LCC is the only community college in Oregon to have an on-campus health clinic.
“COVID cases are increasing in every state of the country as a result of the highly-contagious Delta variant,” said Health Clinic Director Laura Greene. “Vaccines not only protect students, they protect others including family members, classmates and the rest of Lane County. They are the best layer of protection we have against the virus, and we have enough data to show vaccines are safe and effective.”
Many local colleges and universities have announced COVID-19 vaccination requirements for fall term, including the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Pacific University. Other community colleges have announced vaccine requirements for athletes, students in on-campus housing, and allied health students.
Vaccinations will also be required for faculty and staff. Details of that requirement will be determined in consultation with faculty and staff unions.
Lane Community College educates over 25,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $850 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 13,000 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.