Vaccination and higher education.

We spoke with representatives of the University of Guam and the Guam Community College about their vaccination policies as they prepare to welcome students back on campus.

According to GCC President, Dr. Mary Okada, there will be no requirement for students or employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

"We're not making any policy change or anything as of now but we are just encouraging individuals to get vaccinated to support the well-being of course of our other employees and other students that are on campus," she said.
"We're kind of checking to see what the actually really looking at the legal implications might be and whether or not the government of Guam will take a stance to cover it."

Minimal courses will be offered online because the goal is to bring more students back to face-to-face instruction.

UOG Director of Integrated Marketing Communications Jonas Macapinlac explained how the University is taking a slightly different approach.

"We're asking that employees and students both provide either a vaccination record or a weekly negative COVID test if they're going to be working on campus or attending in-person classes," he said.

If students are unable to provide either, many courses will still be offered online. According to a survey, 90% of UOG employees reported being vaccinated while the rate for students was 82%.