The University of Auckland has announced that students, staff and visitors will need to be fully vaccinated to be on campus, as per the Government’s guideline for tertiary education providers.
From January 4th of next year, a vaccination certificate will be required to take part in face to face University managed activities. UoA has also made off-campus study available for all students in 2022, regardless of COVID-19 restrictions. The University of Waikato also announced a similar plan that follows the Government’s COVID-19 Protection Framework.
UoA’s Executive Committee officially confirmed the decision on Friday after receiving 250 submissions from students and staff as part of a wider consultation. In a statement today, the University acknowledged those who shared their concerns and priorities. “Some of the issues raised are complex, particularly where one set of rights conflict with another.”
However, the University has stated that its priority is ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of the University community. In an email to staff yesterday, Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater stated that proposed law changes on mandating vaccines was the preferred position of the University. “At the point we are able to return to a degree of normal on-campus activity for staff and students, we will need to ensure that people feel safe and protected on our campuses,”
The University says it will review this decision in June 2022, or earlier if Government requirements warrant it.