The KCCD Board of Trustees held a meeting to determine the direction from the Board regarding COVID-19 safety requirements on Aug. 12. Ultimately, it was decided that students and faculty must be vaccinated if they want to be on campus.

A year and a half ago, the KCCD Board of Trustees declared the COVID-19 pandemic a public health emergency. Since that time, public health authorities have updated their recommendations and their tools to fight the virus.

Among these tools are the COVID-19 vaccines, which have been available at Bakersfield College since March. Those who are not vaccinated are most at risk of infection, having worse symptoms, and transmitting the virus much easier than others.

With the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreading across the nation, the Board deemed it necessary to make vaccinations required for anyone who accesses the campus (with “exceptions for medical conditions and sincerely held religious beliefs.”)

The main goal is to have all district employees receive their first vaccination dose by at least Sept. 7, with the vaccination requirement going into effect on Nov. 1.

The Chancellor does have the authority to amend the vaccine requirement as necessary based on the ever-changing statistics and news regarding COVID-19.