117 Penn State Students Suspended For Missing COVID Tests With No Proof Of Vaccine

PENNSYLVANIA — After missing several consecutive weeks of required testing for COVID-19, 117 students at Penn State's University Park campus who are unvaccinated or failed to upload proof of vaccination have been suspended.

Penn State has a weekly COVID-19 testing requirement for students and employees who have not provided proof of vaccination. The suspended students were first notified that they were out of compliance with the university's health and safety policies, according to a news release.

Students on interim suspension may not set foot on university property, participate in in-person or remote classes, or attend any Penn State-sponsored events and activities — including football games. On-campus students on interim suspension are temporarily removed from their residence hall assignment, according to university policy.

Penn State sent weekly emails to unvaccinated students with instructions to complete testing, and students who missed two weeks of tests were prohibited from registering for future courses by a registration hold on their records.

According to university officials, staff called every student with three missed tests prior to the suspensions. They offered assistance with any issues they might have been experiencing. The school said this effort led to several hundred students complying.

“It’s important that both students and employees comply with our testing requirement, and we have done everything we reasonably can to ensure that these students are aware of their obligation and do what they must to honor it,” Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, said in a news release. “The last thing we want is to suspend them."

Penn State announced this policy before the semester began, and warned of significant consequences for students who didn't comply.

"I’m sorry these students did not follow our repeated admonitions and warnings, and I hope they will make the correction necessary," Sims said. "Others should not repeat their mistake, and everyone who can be should be vaccinated and should upload their data to us as soon as possible.”

Penn State has been vocal about their support for vaccination against COVID-19, providing incentives including vaccination clinics, cash prizes, gift cards, and signed football memorabilia.

Students who have been placed on interim suspension can submit an online form to request that it be rescinded after uploading proof of vaccination status or completing a COVID-19 test on campus. If their suspension is lifted, they will be notified.

Students will be unable to have an interim suspension lifted a second time, Penn State policy states.

The university said Human Resources is currently examining employee testing data to determine the number of faculty and staff who are not in compliance.

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