June 14, 2021
A message from the Communications Director regarding Governor Scott’s recent announcement:
Many of you have read or heard today’s news from Governor Scott that Vermont is “fully open.” The Governor’s announcement states that, “As of June 14, 2021, more than 80% of eligible Vermonters have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and Governor Phil Scott has authorized the move to Step 4 of the Vermont Forward Plan, lifting business, gathering, and travel related restrictions, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.”
Vermont Tech and all the Vermont colleges and universities have been subject to specific guidance, the College Guidance Safe and Healthy Return to Campus-Mandatory Guidance for Colleges and University Campus Learning. With today’s announcement, this Safe and Healthy Return to Campus guidance expires at midnight tonight as opposed to the original date of July 4, 2021. In accordance with the Governor’s announcement, Vermont Tech is lifting all masking and physical distance restrictions, regardless of vaccination status.
Vermont Tech plans for returning fully to campuses this fall with staff transitioning back to working on campus August 2, 2021. Based on our community’s demonstrated ability to care for individual and collective health and today’s announcement from the Governor, we have confidence that our fall plans and student experience will return to our traditional applied, in-person learning operations.
While some colleges and universities have announced plans to mandate vaccinations or not, Vermont Tech and the Vermont State Colleges System continues to weigh the decision and implications thereof. It is expected the VSCS will require student vaccines when the vaccines have been fully FDA approved beyond the emergency status in place now. We will update everyone promptly when a final decision is reached.