KENT, Ohio - Kent State University has announced Friday that all campuses will require all students and non-represented employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

This decision was made in response to the FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as increased cases across Ohio due to the delta variant of the virus.

While this announcement currently applies to students and non-represented employees, Kent State is currently engaged in productive talks with the leadership of its faculty union with the intent to include them as well.

The mandate will be be phased over the fall semester to give everyone in the community the time and opportunity to get vaccinated. The phases will be implemented as follows:

Phase 1: Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 1, Kent State will expand their testing efforts to include sample testing of unvaccinated students living off campus and unvaccinated employees. Unvaccinated students in the residence halls will continue to be tested weekly.

Phase 2: Beginning Monday, Nov. 1, all unvaccinated students in residence halls will be tested twice weekly and all unvaccinated students living off campus will be tested once weekly. 

Phase 3: Effective Monday, Dec. 20, all students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Booster shots may also be required in the future.

Exemptions will be considered for medical or religious/personal reasons.

In addition, the university is expanding their vaccination incentive program to Sunday, Oct. 31. 

Any further questions can be submitted to vaccine@kent.edu or call 330-672-8227.

Earlier this week, Ohio State University announced a similar vaccine requirement. 

Ron Cole, a spokesperson for Youngstown State University, said no decisions have been made yet as to whether or not to implement a similar mandate at YSU, saying the university is continuing to gather information and having internal discussions on the matter.