REMINDER: COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

Dear Students,

We hope your summer is going well.  We look forward to seeing you on campus very soon!

As you know, Rider announced earlier this spring that all students are required to submit verification of the COVID-19 vaccination for the 2021-22 academic year.  Exceptions are students in fully online degree programs who do not visit campus for any reason and religious and medical exemptions as discussed below.  Rider is accepting COVID-19 vaccinations authorized by either the FDA or World Health Organization (WHO).  This requirement supports our ability this fall to return to more normal operations with in-person classes, activities and events and a greater residential student presence.

Please note that the deadline for submission of proof of vaccination via the Healthy Broncs portal is August 1 or for early fall arrivals, 2 weeks before arrival to campus. 

Students who do not submit proof of vaccination by the August 1 deadline will not be allowed to attend in-person classes, live in the residence halls or otherwise access campus unless granted an exemption.

The deadline for COVID-19 vaccination medical or religious exemption requests has been extended to July 23.  Please see the Student Health Center website for more information. 

If you are a new student, please also note that you are required to submit proof of several other vaccinations by August 1, 2021 via the Healthy Broncs portal. Please click here for more information.

For those of you who are granted an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, please note the following:

• Limited space is available in Poyda Hall for exempted students who wish to live on campus. Space will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, depending on the date your exemption request was received. Pursuant to CDC guidelines, exempted students will be housed together as a separate cohort. Residence Life will email exempted students who wish to live on campus to provide information regarding housing availability and room assignment. Exempted students who no longer wish to live on campus due to the reassignment will not be charged the housing late cancellation fee. Any questions specific to housing should be directed to [email protected] or call 609-896-5057.
   
• As per New Jersey regulations, unvaccinated individuals, including exempted students and unvaccinated employees, vendors and guests, are required to wear face coverings or masks anywhere indoors on campus.  This includes classrooms and all other buildings and during indoor practices, competitions, rehearsals and performances. Masks are not required outdoors regardless of vaccination status nor is physical distancing required of students while on campus.
   
• In addition, all unvaccinated individuals will be required to participate in regular surveillance testing, likely weekly, for the fall semester similar to the testing we conducted on campus last year. Additional information will be provided as the fall semester approaches. Failure to adhere to this and the masking requirement is a violation of Rider’s Student Code of Social Conduct and could result in removal from housing and/or suspension.

Please reach out to [email protected] with your questions or concerns.  Housing related questions should be directed to [email protected].

Enjoy the rest of your summer.  Thank you for contributing to a healthy return to campus.

The COVID-19 Implementation Team