After holding hybrid learning lessons for the past few semesters, Manhattan College is planning to transition fully to in-person learning for the fall semester. 

As vaccine availability extends to residents 16 and older in New York, colleges are now faced with the decision of whether to make the vaccine mandatory for in-person learning. 

While the coronavirus vaccine is not currently required at Manhattan College, faculty and staff say they will continue to discuss the options before making a final decision for the fall semester. 

“Right now, it’s an education process, about how the vaccine can protect not only them but their families, their peers, their professors and their community,” said Tamara Britt, vice president for external legal affairs at Manhattan College. 

The college has created a vaccine portal for students to input their information once they receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Colleges outside the state, like Rutgers University, have made the vaccine mandatory for students attending in-person learning. 

“I think they should not require the vaccine just because everyone is different in that sense, everyone has different beliefs. Whether you want to get a vaccine or not and so I feel like if they require a vaccine, they’re kind of like taking your rights away,” said student Nicole Leone. 

The college says classes will practice social distancing and that masks will be required. 

A vaccine pop-up clinic was also held on campus for first responders.

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