Carleton College to require COVID-19 vaccines for students, faculty

Carleton College plans to require COVID-19 vaccines for all students, faculty and staff ahead of the fall semester.

State of play: A growing number of campuses across the country are announcing similar plans for the fall.

• The Northfield liberal arts school joins Macalester College in St. Paul in announcing the decision ahead of the upcoming deadline for admitted students to commit for the fall.

What they're saying: "In light of our congregate living environment and educational mission, there is a strong ethical rationale for and public health benefit in requiring such vaccination," college president Steven Poskanzer wrote in a message to the community released Wednesday.

• Exemption requests will be considered "in accordance with applicable state and federal law," he added.

The big picture: Poskanzer's letter describes a fall semester much more in line with pre-pandemic experience. Classes will mostly be taught in person, dorms will be at regular capacity and masks will not be required, unless state law mandates them.

Of note: The University of Minnesota doesn't plan to require vaccines at this time. A spokesman cited a number of policy and public health factors, including the current emergency use status.

• "If and when the vaccine receives full [Food and Drug Administration] approval, then we would look at the legal environment," U of M president Joan Gabel told The Minnesota Daily.