College won’t require COVID vaccinations
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
College won’t require COVID vaccinations
WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Community College will not strictly require students, staff or faculty to be vaccinated as a condition of enrollment or employment when they return next month or increase in-person instruction this fall.
WWCC President Chad Hickox said he had received many questions concerning what policies would be implemented regarding COVID-19 vaccinations.
“At the same time, WWCC very strongly encourages everyone on campus, and in the communities we serve, to be vaccinated,” Hickox wrote in a letter sent Friday to faculty, staff and students. “There’s no question that vaccination is the most powerful tool available to fight this deadly virus, and mass vaccination is our best option to regain some sense of pre-pandemic normalcy in how WWCC functions.”
Hickox explained while some college and universities in Washington state are requiring vaccinations, WWCC faces its own unique set of circumstance which prevent the college from taking that action.
“First, we are not a residential college. For that reason and others, WWCC has historically not required vaccination of any type,” Hickox added. “Because we do not require other vaccines, we do not have the infrastructure or capacity for creating, storing, and protecting private health information. We also do not have the ability to enforce a vaccination mandate.”
Hickox also said WWCC will continue to monitor and implement local, state and federal public health directives.
“Here in Washington state, an order by Governor Inslee covering all of higher education remains in place. It requires wearing face masks at all times on college and university campuses and everyone entering a college building must complete a brief health screening log,” Hickox said. “Once the Governor’s office has given us updated guidance, we will adapt accordingly and update our WWCC plan, which will be shared widely as soon as it is available.”
Hickox concluded his letter by recognizing and expressing his appreciation for the questions and comments he received.
“They convey how much you all care about each other, our students and our communities. Unfortunately, COVID-19 continues to throw challenges in our path. But these are challenges we have and will overcome together.”
