Before returning to campus for the fall 2021 semester, all Indiana University students, faculty and staff must receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
"This new requirement will allow the university to lift most restrictions on masking and physical distancing," said IU in a Friday news release.
The university is urging people to get their first dose no later than July 1, so that everyone is fully vaccinated by the time they arrive on campus.
"Knowing that the vast majority of our IU community is vaccinated is the only way the university can confidently return to in-person classes, more in-person events and a more typical university experience," said IU in an email to campus employees.
Individuals returning must be fully vaccinated by August 15.
Students who fail to meet the requirement will have their class registration terminated, as well as their Crimson Card and access to all university systems including Canvas and email.
"Faculty and staff who choose not to meet the requirement will no longer be able to be employed by Indiana University. Working remotely and not meeting the COVID-19 vaccine requirement is not an option," said IU.
Exemptions will be limited to a select few who meet the criteria with medical documentation.
“We are getting ready to prepare the site where they can submit their exemptions to it," said IU's Director of Medical Response Dr. Lana Dbeibo.
Vaccine doses must also be reported to the university with a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record card.
“We review the dates and make sure everything checks out to make sure that they are going to be fully vaccinated by the time they are admitted to the college," said Dbeibo.
The university will announce in the coming weeks a set of new health guidelines for the fall semester. At that time, a determination could be made about lifting the mask mandate.
For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page here.
