The University of Toronto will be requiring students staying in residence buildings to have taken three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. .“As part of our commitment to health and safety, the University and its federated colleges require students living in residence during the 2022-23 academic year to be vaccinated for COVID-19,” said U of T in a July 21 statement. .“Students moving into residence are expected to complete the primary series of vaccinations and a booster dose, at least 14 days prior to their residence move-in date.” .U of T said it's mandating booster shots for residences because students will be living in close quarters. It said requiring boosters will “help us to provide the residence experience students are looking forward to, and to foster a welcoming home for them on our campuses where they can learn and thrive.”.Students are expected to upload their vaccine documents through StarRez, which will be reviewed and verified by university staff. .Students living in residences can request medical or religious exemptions recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code. Exemptions are not guaranteed. .U of T said unvaccinated students without a valid exemption will be prohibited from living in residence. .“Our top priority is to support the health and wellbeing of all members of the U of T community,” it said. .“Vaccines have been recognized by health authorities as a safe and effective way to protect you from serious illness due to COVID-19.”.U of T revoked its vaccine mandate for in-person classes in May. .READ MORE: U of T drops COVID mandates after human rights complaint.After U of T professors submitted a formal human rights complaint regarding the vaccine mandate one month ago, the university decided to establish an end date. .This change came after much anticipation and opposition from faculty and students.
