Students at colleges in Washington, D.C., are facing significant COVID-19-related restrictions compared to their counterparts in Virginia and Maryland, even as the coronavirus continues to recede from the public consciousness.
The most relaxed campus in the nation’s capital for COVID-19-related mandates is the Catholic University of America, where masks and vaccines are entirely optional. CUA stands in sharp contrast to George Washington University and Trinity Washington University, which have universal vaccine and mask mandates.
COLLEGES CLING TO COVID-19 MASK AND VACCINE MANDATES AS SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS
Kara Zupkus, a spokeswoman for the Young America’s Foundation and an alumnus of GWU, told the Washington Examiner this week that “colleges should trust students to make their own educated decisions regarding masking and vaccines — rather than enforcing liberals’ worldview on their everyday lives.”
“It’s time for college administrators to wake up and actually follow the science,” she said. “Continuing to push fearful narratives through COVID hysteria does a disservice to university students trying to have a normal college experience.”
American University
Students attending American University in northwest Washington are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have received a booster shot. The requirement also extends to staff and contractors working on the university campus.
Masks are currently required to be worn in classrooms, at least for the fall 2022 semester.
Catholic University of America
CUA in the northeast Washington neighborhood of Brookland currently has no mandates related to COVID-19. Neither masking nor vaccination is required to attend classes on campus, but the university encourages staff, faculty, and students to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot.
Karna Lozoya, the vice president for university communications at CUA, told the Washington Post that “Catholic University has implemented COVID protocols that have both aligned with DC and CDC guidelines, and that have worked best for our community.”
“We have successfully navigated this pandemic for two years, and we will continue to actively monitor COVID as well as other health threats as they emerge,” Lozoya said.
University of the District of Columbia
Washington’s public university currently maintains a vaccination requirement for all students, faculty, and staff.
Additionally, the university has a mask mandate that applies to all campus buildings and “outdoors on campus when not alone.”
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University in the neighborhood of NoMa currently requires all students and employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 “regardless of remote status or location.”
The university is also requiring that all students and staff on campus submit weekly COVID-19 test results at least through Sept. 16. Masks are also required for all indoor settings.
Georgetown University
Proof of vaccination is required to enter any Georgetown University-owned or leased building, a rule that applies to visitors as well as students and staff. The mandate also applies to all teleworking employees and students registered for online classes that “have an in-person component.”
The university currently has a mask optional policy in most buildings but with some exceptions. Masking is required for “all indoor instructional settings” on the university’s main and medical campuses. Additionally, professors who are fully vaccinated are permitted to remove their masks to teach.
George Washington University
Named for the nation’s first president, GWU currently maintains strict mask and vaccine mandates for its campus. Faculty, staff, and students are all required to be vaccinated, and a mask mandate is in place for all buildings owned by the university.
Howard University
Howard University, a historically black federally chartered university in Washington, currently maintains a vaccination mandate for all students who “live on campus or come to campus for any reason.”
Faculty and staff are also required to be vaccinated, though masks are currently not required.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Trinity Washington University
TWU, located across the street from CUA, has a much stricter approach to COVID-19 than its neighbor. Students, faculty, and staff at the historical women’s university are required to be vaccinated and must wear a mask in all indoor settings.
The university encourages its community to “practice social distancing, be aware of symptoms and follow testing guidelines.”
