Colorado College has been relying upon science, data, its Scientific Advisory Group, national medical consultants, and public health partners to develop COVID-19 protocols, testing, and vaccination plans to keep the CC community safe. These efforts have been successful, resulting in a lower rate of COVID-19 at CC than in the surrounding community.

CC plans to resume in-person teaching, co-curricular activities, and the performances, lectures, and other events that were missed this past year, with the appropriate public health safeguards in place and fewer of the restrictions that hamper one’s mental and social well-being.

To achieve this, with the recommendation of the Scientific Advisory Group, CC will require all students, faculty, and staff who are living, learning, working on, and accessing campus for the 2021-22 academic year to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All members of the campus community will be required to provide proof of vaccination or exemption by Aug. 1. This will also allow vaccinated students an easier entry to campus this fall because of the loosened arrival protocols.

Aiming for high vaccination rates among CC community members is the best approach to take from a broader public health perspective and may mitigate some of the mental health impacts of the pandemic. The college hosted its first vaccination clinic in mid-April, with hundreds of campus community members and their families participating, and more on-campus clinics are planned. Based on science, it’s clear that CC’s faculty, staff, and students will be most protected if everyone is vaccinated.

Colorado College is at its best when its distinctive liberal arts education can be delivered in person, when students and faculty can exchange ideas in classes and field study, and when student organizations, clubs, and athletes can gather, engage, practice, and achieve together. The staff can better support the college’s mission and its students when they can be on campus, in a safe work environment.

CC will work with students who may have limitations on accessing vaccinations and will consider requests for exemptions for medical, religious, and personal reasons.