Local colleges have announced students, staff and faculty must receive booster shots to be eligible to return to campus for the spring semester, and at least one college is delaying student move-in.

The requirement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket across Connecticut and nationally due to the spread of the more transmissible omicron variant. The state reported more than half a million positive and probable COVID-19 cases last week with a record-high daily positivity rate of 20% and more than 1,150 hospitalizations.

Andrew Agwunobi, interim president of the University of Connecticut, announced last week the school would be issuing a requirement that eligible students receive booster vaccinations. Discussions are also occurring regarding requiring the same for eligible faculty and staff.

The school has decided to delay student residential move-in at the Storrs and Stamford campuses by two weeks. Scheduled to begin Jan. 18, classes will be online until Jan. 29. The new residential student move-in date will be the weekend of Jan. 29.

During this two-week period, the university is asking all students to take precautions to avoid exposure to COVID-19, meaning consistent masking (especially in public settings) and avoiding gatherings, particularly those that are indoors.

University leadership will also conduct online town hall meetings this month for students and faculty/staff to help answer any questions regarding changes for the upcoming semester.

At Connecticut College, 99% of students and 98% of employees were fully vaccinated in the fall semester. The college experienced an outbreak in September after more than 50 students tested positive for the coronavirus, causing the student body to go into a cautionary quarantine with virtual classes for a week.

Dean of Students Victor Arcelus sent a message to students and employees regarding the approaching semester, informing them they must receive a COVID-19 booster by Feb. 1 or within 14 days of becoming eligible.

Eligible individuals are those who received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

The majority of students are expected to return to Conn on Jan. 23, but before then, students will have to provide verification of their booster shot. They will also be required to get tested no more than 24 hours before their arrival to campus with the test kit provided to each student before leaving for winter break.

Arcelus said the 1% of students who received an approved exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be exempt from the booster requirement.

On their arrival to campus, all students will also need to complete an onboarding PCR test at the university's testing center. Throughout the semester, students will be tested twice weekly and have the new option of rapid antigen testing at the center. 

Mitchell College sent out an email Dec. 22 stating students, faculty and staff will be required to receive a COVID-19 booster shot by the date of their arrival or within 30 days of becoming eligible for a booster.

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals will be expected to test within 48 hours prior to returning to campus from winter break and advised not to wait till the last minute to schedule an appointment.

"We are working very closely with public health officials to ensure we are keeping our community safe while maximizing our students' experience at the College," said Nancy Crowser, Mitchell's alumni relations officer.

j.vazquez@theday.com