Students and staff attending campus must be fully vaccinated by early December, the university proposed in a statement on Monday, September 20.
Those who remain “unvaccinated by choice” may compromise their ability to continue work or study, the university warned.
Experts from the La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health endorsed the proposed plan.
Public Health professor Vijaya Sundararajan said ensuring the university’s vaccination rate was as close to 100 per cent as possible would allow a return to vibrant on-campus life.“We’re incredibly fortunate to have safe and effective vaccines available for COVID-19 that reduce the risk of severe illness,” Professor Sundararajan said. Associate professor in public health Deborah Gleeson said it was a sensible and ethical plan that would help protect the La Trobe community.The university will provide support and encouragement to all staff and students to get vaccinated as soon as possible from now until November by offering vaccination leave for staff and increasing vaccine access among students.
A pop-up vaccination hub will open at La Trobe's Bundoora campus, with similar arrangements being explored for regional campuses.
Staff and students with a valid medical exemption or another legally-recognised exemption from vaccination will be offered alternative arrangements for work and study.
If the vaccine roll-out in Victoria slows down, due to supply issues for example, the university will adjust the proposed deadline of early December.
La Trobe Student Association chair Brody Tanner said it was a fantastic plan, and strongly encouraged his peers to book a vaccination appointment.
"It’s been hard for many students across the university, particularly in regional campuses, not being able to access on campus courses,” Mr Tanner said.
“If you can get a vaccination, please get it."
Mr Tanner said students from regional sites such as Shepparton's had sorely missed the social life on campus.“Regional campuses have a unique social climate, it’s kind of an everyone knows everyone sort of deal, and it’s just been near impossible particularly for regional students to build that bond that they would in a normal year,” he said.
The La Trobe statement said the university had a duty to eliminate or, if that was not possible, minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.
“This proposed approach will, therefore, enable the university to fulfil its obligations and reassure staff and students who are already vaccinated that they will not be placing their health at risk by coming onto campus,” the statement said.
The design and implementation of the proposed arrangements is being planned in consultation with health and safety representatives.
La Trobe students and staff may share their perspectives on the plan in a voluntary survey.
