SUNY Fredonia vaccination rate illustrates commitment to educational plan

SUNY Fredonia students displayed their commitment to an in-person academic setting by fulfilling the SUNY mandates for vaccination by the Sept. 27 deadline.

In his weekly message to the campus, President Stephen H. Kolison said 97 percent of the student body provided evidence of being vaccinated, while approximately 3 percent were granted religious or medical exemptions.

Sept. 27 was the deadline that SUNY imposed for all students enrolled at its 64 campuses to provide evidence of being vaccinated or provide valid reasons for obtaining a medical or religious exemption.

“This is tremendous!” President Kolison said in his message. “It indicates how seriously SUNY Fredonia students take this pandemic, and how much they desire to be in class and succeed academically. Students, thank you for your diligence in responding to this mandate.”

“Students, your examples of perseverance are inspiring,” said the President. “You are the most resilient students that I have encountered in my 31 years as a faculty member and a leader in higher education.”

In addition, President Kolison indicated that 73 percent of Fredonia’s employees have given notice that they are vaccinated, adding, “As you are aware, because of labor rules, SUNY cannot unilaterally mandate faculty and staff to be vaccinated,” said Kolison. “Nevertheless, Fredonia’s employees are getting vaccinated at a rate that exceeds our region in New York [state].”

When numbers are combined for SUNY Fredonia’s students, faculty, and staff,  93 percent of the campus population is vaccinated, a rate much higher than the rest of Chautauqua County and higher than the overall rate for New York state.

President Kolison reiterated that the outstanding vaccination rate, combined with other ongoing efforts on campus such as the indoor mask wearing requirement regardless of vaccination status, surveillance testing requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, and individual efforts to remain vigilant against the virus, made him cautiously confident that the academic year continues with in-person instruction and extracurricular activities.

President Kolison gave special thanks to the Chautauqua County Health Department for collaborating with Fredonia to offer vaccination clinics on campus, making it easier for faculty, staff, students, and community members to get vaccinated. President Kolison also acknowledged the Cabinet, various teams, committees, and individuals on campus that made this level of success possible by providing appropriate services and information.