In order to access on-campus learning this fall, University of Hawai’i Maui College and other UH System students will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination if one of the vaccines is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to the semester’s start.

The requirement will take effect only after at least one of the three COVID-19 vaccines currently under emergency use authorization has been approved and fully licensed by the FDA, which is anticipated this summer, UH officials announced Monday.

Located in Kahului, Maui’s college student population in fall 2020 was 2,936 students, a UH spokesman said.

UH-MC student Lexie Asuncion said she sees both sides of the new mandate.

“I personally think the vaccine is good and it shows that it’s effective in preventing COVID or at least lessening the effects of it,” she said Monday. “But I still feel like it’s too soon to be mandated, especially for college. I know some people that have good reasons for choosing to opt out.”

As with existing health clearance requirements, students will have the option to request exemptions due to medical or religious reasons, according to UH officials. However, protections have not yet been ironed out for students with exemptions.

UH said in a news release Monday that students without COVID-19 vaccine exemptions will still be welcome and may enroll in online courses.

“Online learners will continue to be able to engage with student services online, as they have done over the past year, and will be able to participate in student activities virtually,” it said.

UH’s current health clearance requirements for students include a tuberculosis clearance and immunizations for measles mumps, rubella (MMR); tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap); and varicella, the release said. The meningococcal conjugate vaccination is also required for first-year students living in on-campus housing.

The COVID-19 vaccination requirement is based on guidance from the system’s Health and Well-Being Working Group, along with the American College Health Association, the release said.

UH President David Lassner said during a news conference Monday afternoon that there has been strong parent support for the requirement.

“We’ve had many inquiries from parents who are concerned and want to see a vaccination requirement so . . . they know that their child will be coming to a safe campus,” he said.

Lassner said 361 public and private institutions around the nation have COVID-19 vaccination requirements for students. He added that fewer than half of those also require it for staff.

“Most notably the University of California System and the Cal State University System announced that their vaccination requirements would apply to both students and employees,” he said. “We want to do everything we can to make our campuses as safe as possible for all our students and all of our employees and others who come onto our campuses.”

Lassner said officials are initiating talks with three unions that represent UH employees about possibly requiring COVID-19 vaccination for staff.

He acknowledged that logistical details need to be ironed out over the next few months, especially regarding protections that may be in place for people with exemptions.

“We’re working through for people who have exemptions . . . what kinds of protections will be in place for them,” Lassner said. “I think that’s probably the biggest one.”

Lassner added that state Department of Health Director Dr. Libby Char indicated vaccination requirements will help relax COVID-19 guidelines for classes this fall.

“Dr. Char notes that . . . ‘We’re hopeful that with the new CDC guidelines and vaccination requirements in place for students that by fall, we’ll be able to return to mask free classrooms without physical distancing requirements,’ ” Lassner said.

For information, visit https://www .hawaii.edu/covid19/vaccinate/requirement-students-faqs/.

* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.