Fordham University is set to enforce this coming week one of the strictest vaccine mandates in the country for all staff, students, and visitors.

The mandate has some up in arms and now they're pursuing legal action.

"We live in a free society and in a free society you have a choice about what you put into your body," says Nicholas Tampio, professor of political science at Fordham University. Tampio is just one of hundreds who are against the school's latest vaccine mandate.

"It's counterproductive, it's creating a lot of ill will, and it's not medically or scientifically necessary," Tampio adds.

The new mandate says all students, staff and visitors must have a full round of COVID-19 shots, including the new bivalent booster by this Tuesday, Nov. 1. If they do not comply, they will lose access to campus.

"I think the really interesting question is going to be how the university enforces its policy to visitors. What does that mean for visiting athlete teams? What does that mean for alumni?" Tampio asks.

Just two weeks ago, dozens of people protested the decision and now they've taken legal action.

The Memergis Law Group sent a letter to University President Tania Tetlow on behalf of 1,600 people. They're calling on the school to change the policy, saying Fordham University is just one of 20 schools across the country with a mandate like this one.

On Saturday morning, Fordham University told News 12 the requirement will stay. In a statement, the school said, "The Jesuit teaching that runs through everything Fordham does is being people for others. The vaccine isn't just about the needs of individuals, but about the community. Being fully vaccinated and boosted helps protect students, faculty, and staff — some of whom are more vulnerable to COVID-19 because of age or their individual medical histories."

For people like Tampio, However, they think a vaccine should be a personal choice.

"You know, this MRNA vaccine, you know, raises questions for people about myocarditis, changing menstrual cycles, about things we don't even know yet," Tampio says.