Rutgers University says it will require all students be vaccinated for COVID-19 before arriving for classes in the fall, becoming one of the largest universities in the country to make that decision.

The university said in a statement Thursday that assurances from the federal government of vaccine supply for all Americans prompted them to make the decision.

Rutgers University President Jon Holloway saying of the mandate, “This will help provide for a safer and more robust college experience for our students."

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The university says students may request an exemption from vaccination for medical or religious reasons. Students participating in online-only classes will not be required to be vaccinated.

A university official says faculty and staff are strongly urged to receive the vaccination and students enrolling at Rutgers who are under 18 will be advised to receive the Pfizer vaccine because it's approved for people age 16 and up.

AP wire services helped contribute to this report.