University of Manitoba (UMANITOBA.CA)

WINNIPEG — When students and staff return to many post-secondary campuses in Manitoba this fall, they will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Red River College, Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College all announced vaccine mandates on Thursday, weeks ahead of the start of the fall term.

University of Manitoba

The U of M says it will require faculty, staff, students and campus visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Individuals aged 12 and over are required to have their first dose by September 22, 2021 and their second dose by the end of October 2021. This vaccine protocol is in place for the balance of the 2021-22 academic year, with more details to come.

University of Winnipeg

The UWinnipeg campus will remain closed to the public for the fall term. Students, faculty members, and staff who are authorized to be on site will enter via controlled access points. All must show proof of full vaccination or attest to becoming fully vaccinated and provide proof within a specified timeframe. The U of W will consider options such as remote learning/working or attending campus with proof of a negative COVID-19 test for those who do not comply.

Red River College

RRC will require vaccinations for students and employees for the fall term, starting Friday, September 10. The vaccine requirement on campus will be a staged approach, with first doses required by September 10 and the second by October 17. The policy will include students living in RRC’s residence and employees working at all campuses in Winnipeg and at regional campuses.

Brandon University

Brandon University won’t require vaccines before the start of the fall term, but receiving the vaccine as soon as possible is strongly encouraged. Through the coming year, BU says it will move towards being a campus that is as fully vaccinated as possible.

Assiniboine Community College

ACC in Brandon is working on a policy that would generally require all students, staff, contractors and visitors to the campus to be vaccinated. A vote by the college’s board of governors is required and additional information will follow at a later date.

The Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations (MOFA) applauds the move by many post-secondary institutions to require vaccines on-campus.

“This would not have happened if not for pressure from faculty and their representatives,” said MOFA president Scott Forbes.

“And we are delighted that a strong, clear message from faculty was heard by university administrators who eventually reached the correct decision. Faculty and students who make up the core of the university have mutual interests such as a safe learning and working environment for everyone. There is a lesson to be learned by the government of the day which is that you can’t run a university without consulting with and listening to faculty and academic staff.”

MOFA also says the Université de Saint-Boniface has adopted a similar vaccine mandate for students and staff this September.

Canadian Mennonite University and the University College of the North will also require two doses of vaccine to return to campus.