COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: For Students

The COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are highly effective at preventing COVID-19, as well as at preventing serious illness even in those who do get COVID-19. The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations to protect our community are the best protection from COVID-19 available to us and will allow McDaniel to return as much as possible to the pre-pandemic, in-person instruction and activities that are the hallmark of a McDaniel education. This policy is being announced in advance of the Fall semester so that students and their families have the opportunity to gather information, consult with their medical providers if they so choose, and make informed choices for themselves.

Students who have neither been fully vaccinated nor received an exemption by the August 8, 2022 deadline may be subject to disciplinary action, registration holds, or other requirements or restrictions to support community health, up to and including being asked to leave campus. A student who must leave campus will be subject to the college’s refund policy.

Students are required to complete the full number of doses of the relevant vaccine prior to moving on to campus. Students with an early arrival will then have an earlier deadline than students arriving on our traditional move-in day. Students will need to submit vaccine documents to the Wellness Center by emailing wellness@mcdaniel.edu. 

Students who are not able to be vaccinated for a medical or religious reason may contact the Wellness Center at (410) 857-2243 to request the Vaccine Exemption Form. The student should complete the form, provide the requested documentation and return the form to the Wellness Center. Exemptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis within 10 days of receipt of completed paperwork.   

Students should email a scanned copy of their vaccine card and/or an official record received from a medical provider. Information should be emailed to wellness@mcdaniel.edu.  Any student who participated in the college’s spring vaccination clinic already has their vaccination on record and does not need to submit them a second time.  

At this time, students-athletes should plan to follow McDaniel campus protocols. The department of athletics will update coaches and student athletes with any changes. It is important to note that the NCAA or Centennial Conference could implement requirements that are more stringent than those of McDaniel. It is for this reason that we strongly encourage all student-athletes to be fully vaccinated prior to their return to campus to ensure the ability to participate in practices and other team activities.

Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. Studies have shown that in people who have recovered from COVID-19, vaccination provides a strong boost in protection.

Yes. Please reference the Student COVID-19 Protocols for Procedures for Symptomatic Students. 

The college strongly encourages all faculty and staff to get immunized as soon as possible. As of July 1st, 2022, over 90% have already done so.

We have observed very rare instances of transmission through work interactions. Congregate living facilities and the type of social and extra-curricular activities our students participate in (eating together indoors, athletic practice and competition, traveling together in cars) are higher risk.  Additionally, as of July 1, 2022, more than 90% of McDaniel employees had already been vaccinated.

No. Though we encourage all graduate students to be vaccinated, it is not required for any graduate student, including those enrolled in hybrid programs.

No. Visitors to campus are not required to be vaccinated.

Yes. Anyone on campus is welcome to wear a mask if they choose. Those who are unvaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.