Oregon State University joined the growing lists of schools requiring a COVID booster shot, as officials from the university announced Tuesday that students, faculty and staff will need to receive one.

"The university's decision is intentional: We seek to minimize disruption of student learning and experience and provide predictability for our faculty and university operations," wrote Oregon State University Interim President Rebecca Johnson and Provost and Executive Vice President Edward Feser in a letter posted on the university's website Tuesday.

"In the days ahead, we will provide you more information about this booster requirement, including means and dates of when compliance will be required as you become eligible for a booster," the letter stated.

In-person instruction and other university activities are set to resume on campus on January 3, officials said. Students returning to residence halls will have to test for COVID-19, though.

"We make this decision while monitoring increased COVID-19 cases across the nation due to the Omicron variant," Johnson and Feser wrote.

Over 30 colleges have mandated the COVID booster shot as of last week. New York University, the University of Chicago, the University of Oregon, Michigan State University, Boston University, California State University and the University of California are among those that have added the booster shot requirement.

COVID Booster Requirement, Oregon State University
In-person instruction and other university activities at Oregon State University are set to resume on campus on January 3, officials said, adding that the school will require COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. In this photo, OptimuMedicine registered nurse Allison Anderson (left) gives Chuck Struckness of Nevada a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot at a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club on December 21 in Las Vegas.Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Similarly, officials from the University of Oregon have set a booster requirement. On Tuesday, school officials announced a January 31 deadline for students, staff and faculty to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, or 30 days after they become eligible. Both medical and non-medical exemptions, consistent with state law, are recognized by the school, officials say.

"We recognize that news about the Omicron variant continues to create uncertainty and concern," read a message from the University of Oregon's Provost and Senior Vice President Patrick Phillips. "We are also aware that universities across the country are taking different approaches to the start of the winter term."

Individuals who are 16 or older are eligible for a booster shot six months after the second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after a Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine.

Currently more than 90% of students and employees at both Oregon State University and the University of Oregon are vaccinated, officials say.

Earlier this month, Governor Kate Brown and state health officials urged Oregonians to get booster shots immediately. Local scientists predict that in January the state will see a new wave of hospitalizations that could surpass the peak since the start of the pandemic.

Currently 74% of people in Oregon who are 18 or older are fully vaccinated, based on data from the state health authority. In addition, nearly one-third of Oregon's adult population has received a booster shot.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

COVID Booster Requirement, University of Oregon
The University of Oregon has issued a January 31 deadline for staff, faculty and students to receive a COVID-19 booster shot. Above, Safeway pharmacist Ashley McGee fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine at a vaccination booster shot clinic on October 1 in San Rafael, California.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images