New Mexico State University will no longer require staff and students to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as of March 1, 2023. Chancellor Dan Arvizu made the announcement in a statement sent out to the university system early Wednesday afternoon.

The university first implemented a vaccination requirement policy over a year ago with the rise in COVID-19 cases across the region and increased access to vaccinations. According to the statement, the university believes the original series of vaccinations has “waned” out their effectiveness due to the spread of other variants.

Arvizu explained that this decision was guided by various stakeholders involved in the university’s pandemic response team — health experts, school leadership and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The changes come as the public health order on COVID-19 is set to expire on May 11, 2023. The New Mexico Higher Education Department no longer requires NMSU to report its cases.

“We strongly encourage everyone to stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 boosters, which are effective in reducing the severity of the disease, but our requirement of the primary series of vaccines as a condition of employment or enrollment in the NMSU system is no longer suitable,” the statement read. 

Here are some of the immediate changes resulting from the new policy:

• Students and employees are not required to report positive cases via reporting portal.
• Individuals hired on or after March 1, 2023, are no longer required to report vaccination, or apply for exemptions.
• Students enrolling in classes for summer and fall 2023 not required to report or apply for exemptions.
• Students living in residence halls not required to move into isolation after testing positive, should still notify housing staff of results.

For a full list of the changes, visit the official statement. Questions about the updated COVID-19 policies can be directed to [email protected].