STCC announces COVID-19 vaccination rates for students, employees
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The vast majority of students and employees at Springfield Technical Community College received the COVID-19 vaccine to comply with a policy adopted by all community colleges in Massachusetts, STCC announced today.
More than 92 percent of students taking a course with an on-campus component are fully vaccinated and less than 8 percent received an approved request for reasonable accommodation, said Darcey Kemp, Vice President of Student Affairs.
As of Jan. 18, close to 700 employees were vaccinated, which represents a 97.5 percent compliance rate.
All 15 community colleges in the Commonwealth last fall agreed to require that students, faculty and staff be fully vaccinated by January 2022. The COVID-19 vaccine policy is aimed at ensuring the safest learning and working environment possible.
Faculty said they were delighted to hear news of the high rate of compliance. Dr. John B. Cook, president of STCC, also said he was pleased with the response of employees and students.
“We want to ensure continued access to higher education for all,” Cook said. “With this policy in place, anyone on campus – from students to faculty, staff and administrators – will know they are in a welcoming and safe learning environment. STCC is an important anchor in the community. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC provides a unique hands-on learning experience to prepare students for careers or to transfer to four-year institutions. As we continue to face challenging times, I’m pleased knowing that students and employees are taking the policy seriously and helping our efforts with safety and wellbeing.”
STCC set a Jan. 3, 2022, deadline for faculty and staff to submit documentation of vaccination. A fully vaccinated individual has received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
STCC students were required to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 10, 2022, to enroll in on-campus spring semester classes, which started Monday, Jan. 24.
The safety of everyone during these difficult times is priority number one here at STCC.John LaFrancis, Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Students who seek to register for courses that do not include any in-person component, and who do not plan to come on campus for any reason for the spring 2022 semester, are not required to provide documentation of vaccination.
"I'm pleased that faculty, staff and students at STCC are complying with the COVID-19 vaccine policy,” said Dr. Lisa Rapp, professor of biotechnology at STCC. “These shots are effective at reducing hospitalization and death. The policy may lead to a reduction in the spread of the disease and help make our campus a safer environment."
Anthony Rondinelli, a professor of Business Administration, said he is fully vaccinated and happy to hear about the high compliance rate at STCC. “I hope this will help us move forward so we can get beyond the pandemic," he said.
John LaFrancis, a professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at STCC, said, “The safety of everyone during these difficult times is priority number one here at STCC. The Mechanical Engineering Technology program is holding in-person labs and everyone has been vaccinated. Mask, hand sanitizer, and social distancing protocols are all being adhered to.”
Jennifer Wallace-Johnson, assistant professor of social work and co-chair of the Hispanic Association in Higher Education, said faculty in her division, led by Dean Richard Greco, worked hard to reach students about the vaccine policy.
“Our goals have been to make sure students were informed of their options and procedures in place and to assist them in any way possible,” Wallace-Johnson said. “We continue this work as we approach the spring semester, and I´m proud of how far we´ve come in dealing with the challenges of the pandemic. I certainly feel privileged to be a part of a team that is dedicated to staff and student safety as well as persistence, retention and success of students.”
About Springfield Technical Community College
STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu