Dartmouth college to require students to vaccinate for fall return

HANOVER — Dartmouth College will require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the fall term, the college’s provost said Wednesday.

Those who qualify for medical and religious exemptions to vaccination will “of course be accommodated,” said Joseph Helble, Dartmouth’s provost, in an online community conversation.

The college will offer vaccination opportunities on campus or in the surrounding area for students who have not vaccinated been before arriving for the fall term, he said.

At this point, the college is not requiring employees to be vaccinated, but it is “strongly encouraging” it, Helble said.

The college is starting with students because they live in congregate settings, he said.

New Hampshire will begin offering vaccines to everyone 16 and older, including college students from out of state, beginning on Monday. People can register online at https://www.vaccines.nh.gov.

Meanwhile, the more infectious B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 has now been detected in test samples from “some members of the Dartmouth community,” Helble said.

The presence of the variant, while expected due to its prevalence around the country, underscores the importance of Dartmouth community members continuing to wear masks, stay physically distant and avoid large groups, he said.

Helble also announced that college athletic competitions will begin the week of April 24 for tennis, softball and track and field. Lacrosse and heavyweight rowing will begin competitions subsequently.

No spectators will be allowed, but competitions may be viewed via live streaming online, he said.

The college also will relax its guidance relating to Dartmouth-sponsored travel, allowing those who are fully vaccinated to travel within the United States. International travel still requires special approval and the college continues to discourage personal travel, Helble said.

Nora Doyle-Burr can be reached at ndoyleburr@vnews.com or 603-727-3213.