Springfield College announces it will require vaccinations for fall semester

May 12, 2021 | Carolyn Noel
cnoel@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – With hundreds of vaccination sites across the commonwealth, many colleges in the area are now debating whether they will make the COVID-19 vaccination a requirement for the fall semester. During Sen. Eric Lesser’s weekly Lunchtime Livestream series, Springfield College President Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper spoke on this decision.

According to Cooper, Springfield College will require all undergraduate and graduate students who study on the main campus to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to returning to campus in the fall. Faculty and staff who are in direct contact with students will also be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. All others are strongly encouraged to do so.

Cooper said that the decision to require students and staff to get the vaccine was not a quick one. However, she feels confident in it and spoke on how the school will be offering a pop-up vaccination site in partnership with CVS Pharmacy.

During the week of May 3, Cooper said the campus would  have two vaccination days, with over 1,000 doses of the vaccine available to students and staff each day.

“We will be one of the only schools in Western Mass. I think we’re the first school as a matter of fact in Western Mass.,” said Cooper in regard to the on-campus site.

She said that the school wanted to do this to help students who did not have transportation receive their vaccine. Interested students will be able to receive their first shot on the Springfield College campus and their second dose at a CVS Pharmacy after the semester ends.

“The fact that we’re able to offer the vaccination makes it easier for me to say that we’re going to require it,” said Cooper.

According to Cooper, 93 percent of students live on campus, so the college feels that requiring the vaccine is the best way to keep students, staff and peers safe.

Cooper also said that Springfield College plans to hold a mix of both in-person and online classes in the fall.

“As we move forward, we’re making decisions about offering some courses still remotely because some people like them. So we will, moving forward, continue to offer some classes online, but a place like Springfield College is face-to-face. That’s what they come for and that’s what we deliver,” she said. “I’m looking forward to spending some time, right after commencement, really plotting out and planning out what makes sense.”

Cooper said that while she understands that some students have enjoyed online learning, there are certain skills and practices that can only be taught in the classroom.

“We believe at Springfield College, and I believe certainly as the leader of Springfield College, that the more engaged our students can be, the more they learn. The more they learn how to be on a team, their interpersonal skills, the things that make them successful once they leave here,” she said.

The commencement speaker for the class of 2021 will be Gov. Charlie Baker. Cooper said that Baker was supposed to be the speaker last year, but that the graduation was canceled due to COVID-19. This year, it is back on.

Cooper said she is proud of Springfield College’s ability to host commencement and also that they made it through such a hard year.

“I’m pleased to say we’ve got 10 days left of classes and we have made it through the spring semester and lots has happened in between, but I think it shows the resilience and the persistence of our students that want a residential education,” she said.

With college enrollment numbers dropping since the start of the pandemic and student debt at an all-time high, Cooper also spoke on the importance of a four-year university.

She said that she encourages able-individuals to attend college not just for the degree, but also for personal growth and development.

“I think it’s really important to always think about the bigger picture,” said Cooper. “We oftentimes don’t spend a lot of time talking about things that are hard to measure that happen at college. Especially at a residential college where you’re with so many different people.”

Cooper said that Springfield College had one of their largest classes in the fall. She spoke on the work that the college has done with social justice, their pride parade and making sure all students felt like they had a voice during the past year.

She is hopeful for the same next semester.

“I think that the community will want to come together and be together and that will drive people to Western Mass., which will be a good thing for all of us,” said Cooper.

Those interested in viewing the Lunchtime Livestream in its entirety are encouraged to visit Lesser’s Facebook page.

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