University vaccine requirements may determine which students can attend classes in person and live in on-campus housing during the fall 2021 semester.

Several universities have already issued guidelines regarding vaccination requirements for the upcoming year in hopes of achieving mass immunity on campus. Duke University, Rutgers University, and the University of Notre Dame are requiring COVID-19 vaccination for students who wish to return to school this fall.

Ivy League universities Brown University and Cornell University are also requiring proof of vaccination for students, faculty, and staff on campus. Cornell University's statement on COVID-19 vaccination and fall instruction provides an example of the vaccine guidelines the university plans to follow in the coming months. While medical and religious exemptions are acceptable, our campus and classrooms are expected to be overwhelmingly composed of vaccinated individuals," Cornell's statement on vaccine requirements states.

Syracuse University will also offer medical and religious exemptions. The upstate New York campus currently operates a vaccination site for students, faculty, and staff; proof of vaccination will be required beginning with summer classes on June 1, 2021.

The list of colleges requiring vaccination is expected to grow as more states make vaccination available to young adults. As of this writing, 37 states offer the vaccine to those 16 and older; beginning April 19, all states should offer the same vaccination eligibility.

Vaccinations have been required at colleges and universities in the past. In fact, most universities require at least one vaccine (usually MMR), with exemptions on a case-by-case basis. The infrastructure for new students to upload proof of vaccination through online portals is likely already in place at many institutions around the country.

According to a survey by Maguire Associates, nearly 70% of prospective first-year college students feel comfortable or very comfortable getting vaccinated. Fewer than 20% feel uncomfortable or very uncomfortable about receiving vaccinations.

Mandatory vaccination is expected to face legal challenges from students, parents, and legislators who oppose mandatory vaccination. This struggle may look different from state to state and may have different outcomes depending on whether the university is public or private.

One solution for students who want to attend school without proof of vaccination could be weekly testing or other requirements currently in place on some campuses.