SPOKANE — Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh said Thursday he is “not yet convinced” on the idea of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for the university.
McCulloh outlined his thoughts in a memo to the Gonzaga community Thursday morning, one day after Washington State University announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for the upcoming school year.
As part of WSU’s policy, students, volunteers and employees partaking in activities at a university campus or location will need proof of vaccination or an exemption. WSU will allow personal exemptions, meaning those who do not want to get the vaccine don’t have to as long as they obtain approval from the university.
“Although there may be a point where we determine that providing evidence of COVID-19 vaccination must be compulsory,” McCulloh wrote, “I am not yet convinced that introducing a ‘mandatory requirement’ regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is the place to begin, and in fact our levels of voluntary participation have been quite good. We will continue to evaluate the best ways of achieving a sufficient level of immunity within the community and as we do so, will communicate with students and families, as we have throughout the pandemic.”
