To protect residents and slow the growing spread of COVID-19, the Community College of Philadelphia is asking its students, faculty and staff to get the jab.

CCP announced on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 that beginning on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, all students and faculty members are required to be fully vaccinated to return to campus for the Fall 2021 semester.

Students are also expected to be fully vaccinated by Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 for the beginning of the Spring 2022 semester. They are also required to show proof of receiving the vaccine.

College President Dr. Donald Guy Generals pointed to the increase in COVID-19 cases across the country as the main reason for the mandate.

“With the most recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia and across the country, requiring COVID-19 vaccines is an important step in keeping the College community safe,” Generals said.

The Delta variant is responsible for the increase in confirmed cases and is a dangerous hazard for Philadelphia’s Black and Latino communities.

“Studies are showing that the delta variant is not only more contagious, but is devastating young, unvaccinated African-Americans between the ages of 20 and 34,” said Generals. “With 72% of the College population identifying as people of color, we must do everything in our power to ensure that we are taking the proper precautions as we return to campus this Fall.”

Starting this semester, if students do not get the vaccine or cannot because of religious reasons, they will be subjected to weekly COVID-19 testing and must show a negative test result.

The college is also requiring students to stay six feet apart and wear masks indoors throughout its four campuses, no matter their vaccination status. CCP is also only operating at 50% capacity this Fall.

“Vaccines save lives and it is our responsibility to get vaccinated to protect ourselves and those around us,” said Generals.

The news comes just two days after Penn State University announced its own mask mandate for all of its campuses.

President of Penn State University, Eric Barron, said he is hoping the mask mandate will slow the spread of the Delta variant.

According to NBC News, about 83% of new COVID cases in the U.S. this month are Delta variant infections. 

“As we continue to see daily increases in COVID-19 cases, particularly the Delta variant, our current outlook warrants this protective step,” said Barron.

CCP will also offer counseling sessions for students who want to talk more about the COVID-19 pandemic, discuss their options, or ask questions about the vaccine.

In addition to counseling, CCP is also recommending students and faculty that are not yet vaccinated to visit Vybe Urgent Care, about two blocks away from CCP’s main campus in Center City on 1500 Spring Garden Street ,where they will be distributing free vaccines.

For more information on the college’s safety measures, please visit its website.