The University of St. Thomas is requiring all students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning for the fall semester, a Monday email from the University Action and Response Team said, with some exemptions.

The university reports that 75% of its students are fully vaccinated, along with 89% of its employees.

“The overall situation … is much different than a month ago with the highly contagious delta variant spreading rapidly,” UART said in its email. “Infection rates in Minnesota are once again headed in the wrong direction.”

The decision to mandate the vaccine was made “by our desire to provide a safe, high-quality and uninterrupted experience for our students this fall” and the evolving Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that could impact fall operations.

“We must do our part to try to curb the spread of the variant and help ensure our community members feel safe when they return to campus for in-person learning and working this semester,” the email said.

Exemptions include for medical, religious or conscientious reasons. Unvaccinated students and employees will be required to wear a mask while indoors on campus and outdoors when social distancing is not possible, according to UART.

“A number” of people on campus still have unknown vaccination statuses, according to UART. Those needing to report their vaccination status or file an exemption can do so here.

Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.