On the same day the City of Pittsburgh announced all employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 22, the University of Pittsburgh has announce that all faculty, staff and students must be vaccinated or have an approved exemption beginning December 6.
Those who get their one-dose vaccine or two-dose vaccine will be in compliance as soon as they get their shot.
Students who do not get vaccinated will not be able eligible to enroll in spring classes or live in residence halls beginning on New Year's Day.
Students who enroll for spring classes before December first but fail to provide proof of vaccination and an exemption will be disenrolled.
Teachers and staff face "loss of access to electronic resources and other disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment," the university said on its website.
That includes any employees who are currently working virtually.
"The most successful and sustainable approach to keeping our community healthy and safe is one that utilizes vaccination as a condition of studying or working on our campuses," a university statement said. "By enforcing this requirement now, we will be able to maintain a high immunization rate on our campuses, while continuing to support our students and research, as well as protect our workforce, with minimal disruption to our programs, activities, or operations."
Guests, volunteers and vendors on campus do not need to meet the new requirement but must register their visit online prior to going on campus.
Masks are still required inside Pitt facilities.
