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New Student Medical Requirements

Fall Matriculating Students

As a student entering in the fall semester, you must complete and submit:

  1. proof of immunization
  2. a meningitis response form
  3. a tuberculosis (TB) questionnaire and possible screening test
  4.  a completed health history form reflecting a physical exam within the last 12 months
  5. health insurance
  6. copy of your student’s insurance/prescription drug card (front & back)
  7. Treatment permission form (for students under 18 years old)

Timeline

  • Please communicate early with your healthcare provider to provide any records you need and evaluate if any vaccinations may be missing. 
  • To submit documentation, you must activate your patient portal account no later than July 1 and upload these documents. You will find these requirements and instructions on how to submit the required health information on the New Student Checklist. You will receive a Colgate email in late June with instructions on how to activate your Patient Portal account.

More Info About Vaccinations

Students who lack adequate immunizations and/or do not submit immunization information will be unable to check in and receive their room key upon arrival. We strongly recommend you receive all required vaccines before you arrive at Colgate. If that is not possible, you will be able to receive your immunizations (at cost) through Student Health Services after your arrival on campus.

All students must comply with New York State and Colgate University vaccination requirements. New York State law mandates that students will be disenrolled from classes if this information is not submitted within the allotted time.  

Vaccination records from your doctor’s office or school may be used as your verification documentation. All forms of proof must be in English.

Required

  1. Meningococcal A, C, Y, W, and Meningococcal Receipt of Information Signature - required for students 21 or younger, enrolled in 6 or more credit hours
    Proof of meningococcal tetravalent vaccination (MCV-ACYW) on or after age 16 and within five years of arrival on campus or declination of meningococcal vaccination via the meningitis response form.
  2. *Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - for students born on or after 1/1/1957 and enrolled in 6 or more credit hours
    Proof of two valid MMR vaccines (measles, mumps, and rubella) first dose given after first birthday and second dose at least one month later. If MMR record not available blood titers for each disease may be submitted. First vaccine must be given after first birthday.
  3. *Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (TdaP) - all students
    Primary series of at least four doses with Dtap or DTP vaccine, and Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) booster (one dose within the last ten years)
  4. *Varicella - all students
    Proof of two doses of varicella vaccine, the first dose after the age of one, and the second dose at least one month later. If your varicella vaccine record is unavailable, a blood test or health care provider-confirmed proof of disease may be submitted.

Recommended

  1. Polio
    Primary series of vaccines in childhood
  2. Hepatitis B
    Three doses of vaccine or a positive Hepatitis surface antibody
  3. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
    Series of three valid doses over six months (HPV-4 or HPV-9). Two doses are acceptable if the first dose was given before age 15.
  4. Influenza (Flu)
    1 dose annually

*Must be in English, and the dates must be verified by a health care provider, school official, or official immunization record

Learn more about religious and medical exemptions on our Medical Forms for New Students page.

If you were honorably discharged within 10 years from the date of your application to Colgate, you can submit your armed forces official vaccination records as proof of immunization.  

If there is a delay in obtaining your official vaccination records, the DD 214 Form (Separation of Service) will enable you to attend classes temporarily.  
Please note: DD 214 does not fulfill the immunization requirements. Student Health Services must still receive your vaccination records.

If you are enrolled in 6 or more credit hours, you are considered a student under the New York State Public Health Law 2165/2167.
Therefore, Colgate University employees and family members must comply with established New York State and Colgate immunization requirements regardless of how long you have been associated with the university.

Prescription Medications

Student Health Services (SHS) does not have a pharmacy and cannot fill prescriptions written by providers outside the Health Center. We do have a limited selection of commonly prescribed medications available for purchase when prescribed by a SHS clinician. If you take a medication that will need to be refilled at school, talk with your medical provider and make a plan to bring enough medication to last the semester or have your physician arrange for refills with one of Hamilton’s local pharmacies.

Health Information to Bring to Campus

  • Bring your insurance/prescription drug card and know your coverage
  • Know your allergies, medication doses, and health history
  • Emergency contact(s) telephone numbers
  • Bring the contact information for your current health care providers
  • If you have a chronic illness, consider securing a letter of explanation from your physician and scheduling an introductory appointment with a Student Health Services’ provider
  • If you are under 18, make sure you have sent in a parental consent form so that you can receive treatment at Student Health Services

Suggested Supplies to Bring to Campus

  • Digital Thermometer (NOT Glass or Mercury)
  • Pain/Fever Medicine
  • Allergy Medicine
  • Cold Medicine/Decongestant
  • Soothing Throat Lozenges
  • Cough Drops/Cough Syrup
  • Fan
  • A humidifier or Cool Mist Vaporizer (the residence halls can be dry)
  • Band-Aids
  • Antibiotic Ointment
  • Cortisone Cream
  • Antacid (Liquid or Chewable)
  • Prescription Medications and Lockbox
  • Sunscreen
  • Tissues
  • Ear Plugs
  • Disinfectant Spray
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Heating Pad/Ice Pack
  • Reusable water bottle
  • For contact lens wearers: cleaning solution, spare lenses, and glasses for “back up”