In a surprising turn of events, Rutgers University, once at the forefront of vaccine mandates for students, is now facing criticism from State Sen. Declan O'Scanlon for its continued insistence on the policy. O'Scanlon has called the mandate “absurd” and is even suggesting that Rutgers should have its funding withheld until the mandate is repealed.
Back in March 2021, Rutgers University made headlines as the first school in the United States to announce a vaccine requirement for students returning to campus in the fall. At the time, university officials touted the policy as a necessary step to minimize COVID outbreaks and reduce the risk of transmission. However, other schools quickly followed suit, and now Rutgers finds itself among the last prominent universities to drop the vaccine mandate.
O'Scanlon wasted no time in criticizing Rutgers' policy, stating that it has “no basis in science whatsoever.” He argues that while the vaccine may provide some protection against serious illness to the vaccinated individual, it does not stop transmission or contraction of COVID-19. O'Scanlon's stance is clear: lift the vaccine mandate or lose state funding.
The senator's call for funding cuts is a bold move, but he believes it is necessary to send a message to Rutgers. He also proposes that students who choose not to attend Rutgers due to the vaccine mandate should be able to apply for school aid to use at any institution of their choice. O'Scanlon's goal is to ensure that students are not penalized for their personal medical choices.
While O'Scanlon argues that the public health emergency has been over since May 2022, Rutgers continues to defend its vaccine mandate as a means of preventing COVID outbreaks. However, many other colleges and universities in New Jersey have already lifted blanket vaccine mandates, including Kean University, Princeton University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Seton Hall University, and The College of New Jersey. O'Scanlon points to these schools as examples of Rutgers' extreme and out-of-touch policies.
It remains to be seen how Rutgers will respond to O'Scanlon's criticism and calls for funding cuts. With vaccine mandates becoming less common across the country, the university may face increasing pressure to reconsider its policy. As the debate continues, students and lawmakers will be closely watching for any developments regarding the future of the vaccine mandate at Rutgers University.
