New Mexico State University (NMSU) now requires all students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by July 1.

This decision will eliminate the option to get a weekly COVID test versus getting the vaccine, KOB 4 reported.

“Our community fought the battle against COVID-19,” Chancellor Dan Arvizu told KOB 4.

The university is dropping the weekly testing requirement because it is too costly and time-consuming, according to KOB 4. Weekly testing ended on May 5.

The majority of students and staff have already been vaccinated. 

“After consulting with the New Mexico Department of Health, guidance from the CDC, peers at other universities, and experts within the NMSU community, we are making changes to our policies to align with current practices and recommendations,” Arvizu said.

NMSU created a pandemic action plan called NMSU Now. “The shift ... to NMSU Now reflects our transformation into a community that has learned how to manage the spread of this virus and is focused on moving forward with confidence as we shape the future of education in a post-COVID-19 world,” the university website said.