Western University to require double-dose of COVID-19 vaccine to live in residence
Western University says it is leading the way in Canada when it comes to student safety in on-campus residences, officials say.
"We're the first university in Canada to announce that in order to live in residence, you have to be fully vaccinated with one-dose minimum on arrival and getting the second dose if you haven't already had it," Alan Shepard, Western University president said Monday.
While the university isn't requiring students to be vaccinated to return to campus, they want to ensure safety for those in dorms after multiple outbreaks during the 2020 school year.
"We wanted with the residence halls to just ensure maximum safety, particularly for people who maybe couldn't be vaccinated for health or religious reasons," says Shepard.
Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop made a stop in London, Ont. Monday to announce funding for Robarts Research institute, but the questioning after the announcement was all about the vaccination requirements for post-secondary institutions.
This comes after a memo was sent to all presidents of colleges and universities Friday recognizing a return to on-campus activities this fall.
Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop speaks at Western University in London, Ont., Monday, July 19, 2021. (Brent Lale / CTV News)
Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop speaks at Western University in London, Ont., Monday, July 19, 2021. (Brent Lale / CTV News)
"We've given guidance on that the framework for reopening and vaccines are not mandatory," says Dunlop.
Toronto's Seneca College recently became the first in Ontario to make the shots a requirement for students and staff returning to campus in September. Dunlop says the province will not impose a mandatory vaccination policy.
"Universities and colleges are legal entities of their own and we do not look at matters of academic and administration so that would be up to each individual," says Dunlop.
Fanshawe College will not require students and staff to be vaccinated in order to return to campus this term.
"The Fanshawe Residence has adopted a vaccination requirement for residents under the guidance of the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU)," a spokesperson said via email.
"Fanshawe will not require students or staff to show proof of vaccination before coming to campus for in-person labs, classes or services. However, the college strongly encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible."
Shepard says he anticipates a large percentage of his students will be vaccinated, but said it's too early to determine a number.
He does feel they are prepared to pivot on a plan should a fourth-wave of COVID-19 hit London.
"I think it will depend on the nature of, you know what happens next, and one of the surprising things about this whole pandemic for all of us I think has been watching science in action and medicine and public health in action," says Shepard.
"The future is never as clear as the as the past is, and we do have a plan in place. We were one of the first Canadian universities to convert to all online, should we need to do that, we could do that again on pretty short notice. I'm not anticipating that we will need to do that."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE NOW Canada to launch 'national action plan' to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Jury finds Andrei Donet guilty of second-degree murder in stabbing death of Montreal teen
A jury has found a 21-year-old man guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Montreal teenager Jannai Dopwell-Bailey outside his school in 2021.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
Investors watching posts from 'Crypto King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges
Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.
Britain slammed in inquiry for infecting thousands with tainted blood and covering up the scandal
British authorities and the country's public health service knowingly exposed tens of thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products, and hid the truth about the disaster for decades, an inquiry into the U.K.'s infected blood scandal found Monday.