Garden State Times

Senator Declan O’Scanlon commended the decision by Rutgers University to no longer require students, faculty, and staff to be immunized against COVID-19, but criticized the delayed decision.

"I’m glad Rutgers decided to join the rest of the enlightened world by finally lifting its COVID-19 vaccine requirement. This is something I have been calling for since last year. Having said that, Rutgers doesn’t deserve any additional praise. In fact, it deserves to be harshly criticized for not following the science," said O’Scanlon (R-13).

"How many students have had their academic careers sidelined because of Rutgers’ absurd, anti-science vaccine policy? How many professors, adjuncts, and staff members were forced to take a vaccine that they didn’t want, but felt compelled to take it so they wouldn’t lose their jobs? I hope the administration at Rutgers learns something from their failures and makes significant changes going forward," O’Scanlon added.

O'Scanlon has been a persistent critic of Rutgers' COVID vaccine mandate, having released several scathing statements over the past year, his most recent one in March, in which he called for funding cuts. He also called on the President and leadership cabinet to resign after doubling down on their COVID-19 vaccine mandate in August 2023.

“These people are responsible for this foolish policy, which has only had a negative impact—there was no positive impact whatsoever. They should be held accountable. I’m not sure how that should manifest itself, but I’m working on it. An apology to those negatively impacted would be a good start,” said O’Scanlon.