Partial vaccination mandate at Cerritos College causes controversy

Cerritos College students check in at a health screening kiosk to ensure they have no COVID-19 symptoms before heading to class. The college will mandate the COVID-19 vaccine or a weekly negative COVID test for everyone on campus starting Oct. 1. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK — Cerritos College will implement a partial COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students and staff on campus effective Friday.

Under the policy, everyone on campus must show proof of vaccination or weekly evidence of a negative COVID test. Those who refuse or do not submit the proper documents within 30 days will not be allowed on campus and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Since the campus reopened to 50% capacity on Aug. 16, the college reports that 48 COVID-19 cases were found at the school.

Students at the college disagree about the mandate, arguing that vaccination should be a personal choice.

“I feel that people should not be forced to get it,” said Cerritos College child development major Bianca Morales. “The test is acceptable so that everyone on campus is healthy, but nobody should be forced to get it.”

Morales stated that she is fully vaccinated, and plans to submit her vaccine card to the college.

Some students who expressed favor in the mandate are those who interact with at-risk individuals almost every day.

“It doesn’t make sense not to take the vaccine,” said Cerritos College physical therapy assistant Brian Fructuoso.  “I’m fully vaccinated. I have to be careful because I could spread it to someone who doesn’t have the capability to fight back against the virus.”

The policy is also driving a wedge between staff at the college.

During the Cerritos College Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 15, Cosmetology Instructor Rossitza Petrova expressed her disdain for the mandate.

“What are you going to do with us tenured staff if we refuse to get this vaccine? Are you going to fire us? Are you prepared for the lawsuits coming your way?” said Petrova.

While the tenured faculty member threatened to sue, the Cerritos College Faculty Federation supports the mandate at the college.

Biological sciences instructor Thomas Taylor expressed his support for the vaccine requirement.

“The only way to end the pandemic as soon as possible is to get 90% of the population vaccinated. The only way to reach the goal of 90% coverage is to implement and enforce a vaccine mandate,” said Taylor.

Cerritos College president Dr. Jose Fierro supports the vaccine requirement, saying it will help protect the community. In an Instagram Live video, he encouraged everyone to get the vaccine and continue following safety procedures.

The Board of Trustees will vote on a full vaccine mandate for the spring 2022 semester in their upcoming meeting on Oct. 6. Under the full mandate, the testing accommodation is removed and everyone on campus must receive the COVID-19 vaccine.