The university announced its decision Nov. 22 based on directives required under President Joe Biden’s executive order that looks to provide adequate safety protocols for federal contractors. Because Rice University accepts federal contracts, the university is required to comply and must require all employees to be vaccinated, according to the announcement.
All Rice, full-time and part-time employees, including student hourly workers, will be required to be vaccinated, though undergraduate and graduate students who are not Rice employees are not covered under the executive order.
“As a result of the executive order, every staff and faculty member who is on campus, or will come to any campus building, will have to be fully vaccinated and provide proof that you’re fully vaccinated (if you have not already done so) by Jan. 4, or seek a medical or religious exemption,” according to the announcement.
Thus far, over 90% of the Rice University community has been vaccinated against COVID-19, out of about 12,000 people.
