Xavier University has officially notified students who have not received a COVID-19 vaccination that they are no longer enrolled at the school for the fall semester.
Xavier Vice President of Administration Patrice Bell told Fox 8 that the university is already sending messages to its unvaccinated students this week, informing them that they do not have a health clearance to attend in-person classes.
Earlier this year, Xavier issued a requirement for students attending on-campus classes that they be fully vaccinated, unless granted an exemption for medical or religious reasons.
“If they are able to provide the documentation or work with us to get through the vaccine protocols prior to that time, then we will be able to make some accommodations,” Bell explained, adding that the policy is the same as how the school handles other required vaccines.
Although the university has not disclosed the precise number of unvaccinated students who were disenrolled, Bell stated that the staff is communicating with them so they can return in the spring.
Student Reaction
Sophomore Elise Tookes expressed her belief that disenrolling unvaccinated students is “unfair” because of the interruption in their education, especially amid the on-going health crisis.
However, she clarified that she understands why Xavier has to make such a difficult decision. “They’re trying to protect the students that they have on campus and they’re trying to make it normal for us as much as possible,” she explained.
Meanwhile, fourth-year student Kalif Brown, describes the move as “crazy” since he said students should not be forced to do something against their will.
Other Colleges Expel Unvaccinated Students
Last week, the University of Virginia (UV) disenrolled over 240 students for the fall semester for not getting vaccinated. According to CBS news anchor Kathryn Young, only 49 out of the 242 disenrolled students had actually registered for on-campus classes.
Rowan University in New Jersey also announced that unvaccinated students only have until September 7 to receive their first shots. Afterward, they risk “having their accounts put on hold, removal from residence halls, and eventually, removal from the university.”