McKee Backtracks That RI Colleges Will Be Vaccinated, CCRI Missing Deadline

McKee Backtracks That RI Colleges Will Be Vaccinated, CCRI Missing Deadline

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee earlier this summer trumpeted a “COVID-19 milestone” claiming Rhode Island would be a national leader in college vaccinations. 

He said the state would be the "first in the country where all institutions of higher education, including public and private organizations...will require COVID-19 vaccinations for students returning to campus this fall.”

“All of Rhode Island's institutions of higher education will require full vaccination before returning to campus this fall,” said McKee's release. 

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Now, emails obtained by GoLocal from the Community College of Rhode Island show this will not be the case. 

Moreover — McKee does not oppose their decision to walk back what he had previously touted. 

CCRI Relaxes Vaccination Requirements

An email from CCRI Associate Vice President Alix Ogden to colleagues obtained by GoLocal shows that the college is relaxing the requirements, citing “equity and access.”

"In response to recent student feedback, CCRI has amended its policy regarding vaccines for students for the upcoming fall semester. This new approach balances the need to keep our community safe and healthy with the desire to provide in-person learning opportunities for as many students as possible this fall," said Ogden, who continued:

"1. The college is waiving the 14-day period from the last dose a student receives of the vaccine to be permitted to take classes in-person. If a student has received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine by September 1, but is still within the 14-day period to be considered 'fully vaccinated' as defined by the Rhode Island Department of Health, they may attend in-person classes as long as they show proof of vaccination.

2. In addition, if a student has received one of the required two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine by September 1, they will be allowed to attend in-person classes, with several restrictions. Students who have had only one dose will need to show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours each time coming to campus until they have received the second dose. These students MUST provide proof of receiving the second dose within 30 days of the start of their first in-person class or will be subject to automatic withdrawal from in-person classes.

3. Students with verified medical or religious exemptions will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours each time coming to campus throughout the semester. This change in policy reflects the reality that many students will be midway through the vaccination process at the start of the fall semester. As an institution of higher education with a commitment to equity and access, we must remain flexible and responsive to the needs of our students while also maintaining a healthy and safe college community. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust as needed."

“As noted in the email we shared with our college community, the decision to amend the college’s vaccination policy reflects the reality that many students will be midway through the vaccination process at the start of the fall semester,” said CCRI Spokesperson Amy Kempe. “As an institution of higher education with a commitment to equity and access, we must remain flexible and responsive to the needs of our students while also maintaining a healthy and safe college community.” 

Additional emails obtained by GoLocal also show that CCRI announced that all students who registered for the Fall 2021 semester who upload their completed vaccine card through their MyCCRI account by Wednesday, August 18 would be eligible to receive a $200 incentive.

While McKee had previously touted that vaccinations would be "required" by colleges, on Sunday, he said that the schools' decisions are “voluntary.”

“Governor McKee is proud that Rhode Island’s institutions of higher education stepped up to voluntarily require the COVID-19 vaccine for students” said McKee spokesperson Alana O’Hare.  “CCRI’s amended vaccine policy comes with necessary requirements such as masking, testing and other health and safety precautions that are in the best interest of students and staff. We will work with CCRI to make sure vaccination rates among students and staff are strong.”