TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The University of Arizona — the largest employer in the city of Tucson — is requiring all its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the school announced Friday.
In an email to employees Friday, Univeristy of Arizona President Dr. Robert Robbins said the move is a reaction to an executive order from President Joe Biden. The order requires organizations that contract with the federal government — including the university — must require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
"The University has hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts, funding critical research, employment, and educational efforts, and already has received amended federal contracts that include this requirement," the email from Robbins says.
Robbins says UArizona employees must submit documentation proving they are fully vaccinated by Dec. 8. Employees can also request medical or religious exemptions to the mandate.
A spokesperson from the Arizona Board of Regents says all of Arizona's public universities are instituting COVID-19 vaccination mandates in compliance with Biden's executive order, including Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.
"Governor Ducey has been clear from the very beginning: the COVID-19 vaccine is proven to be effective and safe," a spokesman for Gov. Doug Ducey told KGUN9 in an email statement. "He's been vaccinated and he encourages all Arizonans to get the vaccine. The Governor also has said he is opposed to mandates and that getting the vaccine should be a matter of personal choice. His views have not changed."
