Dear Howard University Community, 

Last week, President Frederick announced that all students who reside on campus or come to campus for any reason for the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated prior to their arrival on campus. At this time, I am sharing details from our updated COVID-19 vaccination requirement policy statement, which you can read in full here. Understanding that our students come from a wide array of communities across the country and around the world, we want to ensure that students can adequately prepare for their upcoming arrival on campus.  

All students will be required to be fully vaccinated effective August 1, 2021. Being fully vaccinated means that two or more weeks have passed since receipt of the second dose in a two-dose series or since receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine. Students who complete a COVID-19 vaccination series with a vaccine that has been authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) or an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine will comply with the University’s immunization requirement. Students must provide proof of being fully vaccinated prior to arriving on campus. Students will not be permitted to live in on-campus housing until they are fully vaccinated and provide proof of having been vaccinated.  

There is only one exception for students to come to campus if they have not been fully vaccinated, and that is to receive a vaccine. For international students who cannot become fully vaccinated in their home countries and domestic students who cannot access a vaccine prior to arriving on campus, the University will provide vaccinations, free of charge. These students can present to the vaccination clinic located at 508 W Street NW, Washington, DC 20059, the Numa P. Adams Building. After receiving their vaccination, students must leave campus immediately. Students may not return to campus, except to receive their second dose of a two-dose series, until they are fully vaccinated according to the standards mentioned above. 

As of right now, international students who will actively work to get vaccinated upon their arrival in Washington, D.C. must abide by DC Health's guidelines and assume personal responsibility for finding housing off campus since they cannot live on campus. The University is exploring options to help international students find temporary housing solutions off campus, and we will update you further if and when we are able to progress in those plans. 

While students with approved medical or religious exemptions for the COVID vaccination requirement will be allowed to attend classes on campus (following appropriate safety protocols), they will NOT be permitted to live in on-campus housing. The Office of Residence Life will provide information about potential off-campus housing options; however, students will be solely responsible for securing their own off-campus housing arrangements. 

Please see the official FAQ page for more information. Thank you for your cooperation and support. 

Excellence in Truth and Service, 

Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., R.Ph.                     
Provost and Chief Academic Officer         

Cynthia Evers, M.A., Ed.D.  
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs