By Tyler Bennett
College of Southern Nevada requires students to be vaccinated if they want to be on campus taking classes spring term.
An email dated Oct. 6 from CSN’s President Federico Zaragoza announced students must be vaccinated against COVID to take classes on campus spring 2022. It is not required of students who are fully online.
According to CSN’s website, the Nevada State Board of Health enacted an emergency regulation requiring all students enrolling in Nevada System of Higher Education institutions to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. All students must provide documentation of having received a completed COVID-19 vaccination series before enrolling for in-person courses. This means students must receive both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or vaccinations approved by the World Health Organization for international students.”
No student will not be able to register for spring 2022 courses until documentation of a completed COVID-19 vaccination series or a medical or religious exemption was approved and on file, according to CSN.
College Pulse, who surveys college students, conducted a survey with 1,000 undergraduates on whether or not colleges should require COVID-19 vaccinations. It revealed 71% of students thought colleges had the right to require it, with 19% opposing and 10% unsure.
Gaby Amador, CSN student, said, “I think it’s better having people be required to be vaccinated just because it’s for a good cause to stop a spread.” Even with this said, she plans to take on-line courses as it works better for her schedule.
“Although I believe getting the vaccine should be a personal choice, getting it for school would ensure our safety,” said Kelley Fernandez-Torres, another CSN student. “Chances of getting or spreading COVID would most likely lower.”
“I plan on attending in person,” said Sierra Cardamone, student at CSN, who is vaccinated. “In spring 2021, I took a hybrid class after being out of school for all of 2020. I find that I learn a lot better with an in-person environment too.”
In a time where it is still risky, some are questioning whether it is too soon for CSN to resume so many classes on campus.
“I don’t think we returned too soon,” Fernandez-Torres said. “I actually think we waited out for a good amount of time. Many people are already vaccinated, which is good, and there are other ways we can prevent the spread of germs and in general just the spread of COVID.”
“I believe it wasn’t too soon,” Amador said. She is looking forward to returning to campus and resuming her normal life.
Other students found it a bit rushed. “Even in spring 2021, it felt a bit weird to return to in-person learning just because case numbers went down a bit and then shot back up,” Cardamone said. “I think it’s important to return to normal life but I think schools rushed it a bit.”
According to NSHE, “The health and well-being of Nevada’s public higher education community and the safe return to in-person learning for NSHE’s students, faculty and staff continues to be our highest priority.” Requiring this vaccination is part of ensuring that safety.
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 