Dupage Policy Journal

Wheaton College continues its fight against COVID-19 as the school in Chicago's western suburbs institutes more guidelines for students returning to classes, particularly those opting out of the vaccination. 

The college issued a communications release regarding the new 2021-22 academic year, which will be held in-person only this year. 

“As announced last spring, the college strongly encourages all students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated,” the release stated. “We will hold classes and co-curricular activities in person and at full-room capacity. Our goal is to return to an open campus, provide a mask-free environment, and allow freedom of movement off campus.”

The only way to avoid masking during this school year is through full vaccination, the school said. 

“Unvaccinated students, employees, and guests are required to wear masks over their nose and mouth and to maintain social distance from other persons wearing masks when indoors,” Wheaton said.  

These guidelines are in line with the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations to prevent further spreading of the virus. 

“Unvaccinated undergraduates must provide proof of being COVID-free upon arrival on campus [negative test result within the previous 72 hours, proof of positive test dated between the previous 10 and 90 days, or testing upon arrival and quarantining for 24 hours]," the release said. "Unvaccinated undergraduate students will be tested once per week at the college’s expense.”  

Students in high-transmission settings such as athletics and theater, will be tested twice a week. 

According to a poll by ABC News and the Washington Post, Americans are torn about the best course forward for colleges, with 50% supporting a vaccination mandate and 47% opposing such a policy.

The majority of vaccine mandate supporters (72%) were Democrats with only 28% support from Republicans. 

Wheaton will require students to continue social distancing and masking up until they are vaccinated fully.