University Of St. Thomas Will Require COVID-19 Vaccine

SAINT PAUL, MN — The University of St. Thomas Monday announced it will require all students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated before returning to campus for this fall. The announcement comes as the Delta variant of the coronavirus is causing a surge in new cases across the United States.

"These decisions are driven by our desire to provide a safe, high-quality and uninterrupted experience for our students this fall," the university said.

The university announced a vaccine incentive program in June. As of Monday, it reported an overall campus vaccination rate of 78 percent:

• 89 percent of employees are vaccinated
• 75 percent of students are vaccinated

"While these numbers are encouraging, we still have a number of people whose vaccination status remains unknown," the university added.

"Additionally, evolving CDC guidance could impact our fall operations, even with our current vaccination rate. We must do our part to try to curb the spread of the variant and help ensure our community members feel safe when they return to campus for in-person learning and working this semester."

At least two other private colleges in Minnesota will require the vaccine this fall.

The University of Minnesota and other state colleges announced Monday they will again require face masks to be worn indoors.