95% Of Ramapo Students Are Vaccinated, College Officials Say

MAHWAH, NJ — A vast majority of students at Ramapo College have been vaccinated, college officials tell Patch.

Brittany Williams-Goldstein, the college's Chief of Staff and Spokesperson, reports that 95 percent of students who planned to be on-campus this semester have been vaccinated.

The college issued a vaccine mandate in May, and set a deadline for students to be vaccinated by Aug. 15.

Though most students were compliant with the mandate, according to college officials, the rest are currently working with campus advisors on next steps.

"As of late last week, 95% of our students that are enrolled in courses with an in-person component were compliant with our policies. Students who were not compliant are working with our academic advisors and are being redirected to remote course options," the college said, in a statement.

The college took extra steps to ease the vaccination process, partnering with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center for multiple on-campus vaccination clinics over the summer.

They also aren't online in mandating a vaccine, even though some students, politicians and state-residents bristled at the idea.

The college addressed that conflict in a statement:

"Ramapo joins a number of public and private New Jersey colleges that are requiring the vaccine. The decision has been reviewed thoroughly by the General Counsel and has been advanced by the American College Health Association which includes more than 700 institutions nationwide."

However, the college isn't mandating vaccines for all students. Those who plan to take fully remote courses won't need to be vaccinated, and the college is also offering six class-styles this year, including hybrid learning and online courses.

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