U of T to force students to have shot before obtaining residence

The University of Toronto is making it mandatory that all students living in their residence during the upcoming school year must receive , at the least, their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This will apply across all three of its campuses.

Furthermore, the university is requiring to have first shot before to their move-in date. If one does not have it at this point, students will have a two-week grace period with help from the school, depending on the province's vaccine supply.

"This requirement, which is endorsed by our local public health authorities, will enable us to give our students the residence experience that they expect – and that is so important to their growth and development – without compromising on their health and safety,” said Sandy Welsh, U of T’s vice-provost.

“It’s really important that students be able to interact safely with one another and participate in the in-person programming that we know they value so highly.”

Welsh added that students in residence who have not received a first dose within two weeks after moving in may be subject to additional public health restrictions. Any student who cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds or other grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code can request an exemption, she said.

The new measure will not apply to U of T’s Student Family Housing, although the university strongly encourages all students to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible to do so.

As of early June, only one other university in the province has implemented a similar policy. Students at Western University will be required to have one dose upon moving into their residence.