Duquesne University on Thursday became the latest Pittsburgh campus to say it will require that students be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to enroll in face-to-face classes this fall.

Officials there also warned that students who opt not to get the vaccine and contract the coronavirus will be on the hook for costs related to testing, quarantine and treatment.

A note posted to the school's Facebook page at midday confirmed the school’s intention.

"Beginning with the fall 2021 semester, the COVID-19 vaccine will be required for all Duquesne University students intending to be present in person for classes and all other campus activities," the statement read. "This is consistent with existing University policies that require students to be vaccinated for a wide range of diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella and tetanus."

Bill Schackner

How Duquesne University's medical school plan survived COVID-19

Duquesne spokesman Gabriel Welsh added by phone Thursday, “The university is finalizing and will announce details soon on a vaccine policy for employees.”

The Catholic institution, with 9,500 students, is the second major Pittsburgh-area campus to mandate the vaccine. Carnegie Mellon University did so last month.

The University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University are weighing similar plans for students but have not decided, although Penn State has instituted a vaccine requirement for university-funded travel. It also announced a list of financial incentives. including a weekly $1,000 drawing to encourage students and employees to roll up their sleeves.

Chatham University is requiring the vaccine for students and employees this fall, according to its website.

The 14 state-owned universities belonging to the State System of Higher Education cannot require the vaccine, short of an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, spokesman David Pidgeon said. They include the Western Pennsylvania campuses of California, Clarion, Edinboro, Indiana and Slippery Rock universities.

More than 400 campuses have vaccination requirements nationally, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, a number that continues to climb daily.

At Duquesne, university officials said the requirement is consistent with existing campus mandates for students to be vaccinated against various diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella and tetanus. Adding COVID-19 to the list will facilitate removing such restrictions as masking and physical distancing, thus “enabling a more typical mode of operating in which classes will be able to meet, in-person events can resume, clubs can gather, dining can resume normal operation and residences will no longer need to be de-densified,” the university said in a statement.

Bill Schackner

Hearings on state university mergers double to eight; the first is Thursday

"The COVID-19 vaccinations currently authorized by the FDA are safe and have been proven to be extremely effective in preventing transmission of the virus and significantly mitigating its effects in the rare instances where a vaccinated individual contracts COVID-19," Dr. Paul Larson, medical director for Duquesne University Health Services and a physician at UPMC St. Margaret, said. "With vaccines widely available and proven to be effective, we recommend that all individuals over age 12 and without health conditions that prevent it become fully vaccinated."

The Student Handbook outlines the process for students who wish to request exceptions from the requirement for medical and other reasons, using the same procedures that exist for those who request exceptions from other vaccinations.

"Our community rallied last year in extraordinary circumstances, and we learned how best practices can keep one another safe," Duquesne President Ken Gormley said. "The best practice now is to acquire the vaccine so that we can gather for the classes, events, gatherings and everyday moments that are part of the Duquesne experience. I look forward to our collective effort to have a great return to normal this fall.”

The school, in its statement, said the hope is that students will complete the vaccination process over the summer, though it hopes to have a limited vaccine supply for those in need when they arrive.

It also suggested that students will face restrictions — and some significant unforeseen out-of-pocket expenses — should they opt not to become vaccinated and become ill with coronavirus.

“Students who do not have proof of vaccination will be required to wear masks in all indoor spaces on campus. If students who are not vaccinated contract the COVID-19 virus, all associated costs such as for testing, quarantine and/or isolation and medical treatment will be their sole responsibility,” the statement read. “Students who are required to leave prior to the end of semester due to COVID-19 sickness and who have not provided the University proof of vaccination will not be eligible for refunds on housing and dining fees.

“For all of these reasons, obtaining the vaccine will be beneficial for students, whether they live on or off campus,” it continued.

Bill Schackner: bschackner@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1977 and on Twitter: @Bschackner

First Published: June 3, 2021, 5:10 p.m.
Updated: June 3, 2021, 6:14 p.m.