Following the lead of USF, the board in charge of Florida's 11 public universities next week will consider a new policy that requires all incoming students to get vaccinated against the potentially deadly meningitis vaccine - or at least sign an opt-out waiver that ensures they have been educated about the health risks of meningitis.

USF already established a similar requirement, a response to the death this past fall of a USF sorority member. Previously, only students living in dorms had to be vaccinated or sign the opt-out form. And USF officials conceded that prior to the student's death, their enforcement of the housing rule was lax.

College students are at higher risk for meningitis than the general population because they tend to live in close quarters, sharing drinks and engaging in other risk factors.

The Board of Governors meets next Wednesday and Thursday in Tallahassee to consider the requirement, which would also include the Hepatitis B vaccine.