Jill Smith
Staff Writer
jsmith194@murraystate.edu
CORRECTION: Eastern Kentucky University does not have a vaccine mandate, their Faculty Senate has passed a resolution recommending a mandate. The information in the graphic now reflects that.
Universities across Kentucky have moved beyond mask mandates and are now expanding into requiring testing and vaccines for students, faculty and staff after a federal mandate required all government employees to be vaccinated.
The Biden Administration announced on Sept. 9 that all federal employees must be vaccinated unless they can prove an exemption subject to law.
According to insidehighered.com, the executive order could impact universities all across the United States.
“The new requirements being set out by the Biden administration will impact colleges and universities the same way they will other large employers and, in the case of many institutions, federal contractors,” according to insidehighered.com.
According to The Chronicle for Higher Education, 1,127 universities in the U.S are mandating students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Only four Kentucky universities are currently mandating vaccines: Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College and Transylvania University. All four are private universities.
Several public universities have pushed leaders into mandating vaccines for students, faculty and staff.
Eastern Kentucky University’s Faculty Senate passed a resolution to require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated on Oct. 4.
“Public health and immunology experts believe that population immunity against the delta variant can only be achieved when we reach 90-95% vaccinated, meaning that our current statewide vaccination rate of 56% (as of 9/28/21) still presents conditions that jeopardize the health, welfare, and lives of people on campus and in our local community, particularly children under 12 and others at increased risk,” according to the Eastern Progress newspaper.
This mandate will require students, faculty and staff to prove their vaccination status.
Student Government Association President Ian Puckett said the university is not looking to mandate vaccines at this time.
“To my understanding, all of the university presidents have come out with statements saying that they would like to have masks [on] indoors and they would like to keep vaccinations optional,” Puckett said. “The reason it would be tough to have a vaccine mandate is because a lot of students would opt out because of religious reasons, they could opt out for just skepticism for the vaccine.”
Puckett says he is frustrated that more people are not getting vaccinated since vaccines are being FDA approved.
“They are proven to be safe, but I wouldn’t want to force someone to do it even though I encourage it like nobody’s business,” Puckett said. “For the time being, the safest option is to continue with the heavily encouraging people to get the vaccine and it will remain voluntary.
The university’s incentive program revealed approximately 59% of students, faculty and staff are vaccinated.
The University announced Nov. 2 a second incentive program to encourage to COVID-19 vaccine. Students will have the opportunity to win a $2,500 scholarship and faculty and staff will have the opportunity to receive $2,500.
Individuals who previously participated in the last incentive program will be entered into a separate drawing for a prize.
A voluntary system is still the best option for the university, Puckett said.
“Our COVID cases have been remarkably well, there hasn’t been a spike,” Puckett said. “I think that remaining where we are now is working, so I think why fix something if it’s not broken?”
Senior Occupational Safety and Health major Jordyn Wyatt said she doesn’t want to get vaccinated because of health issues.
“I read studies on gastroparesis and [the] vaccine and the odds are that great,” Wyatt said. “It made some patients’ symptoms worse and others had issues come up.”
The University of Kentucky is requiring all unvaccinated students, faculty and staff to get tested weekly.
According to uky.edu, data from Oct. 27 show 89.2% of students, faculty and staff at the University of Kentucky are fully vaccinated or have received their first shot.
Wyatt says she is open to weekly testing for unvaccinated individuals.
“I need [the vaccine] to be out longer before I get vaccinated,” Wyatt said. “I don’t really care to be tested weekly if the campus feels [it’s] safer for unvaccinated folks.”
If the University were to announce a vaccine mandate or weekly testing, Puckett said he thinks the general reaction would be positive.
“I don’t think any pushback from it or any blowback from that,” Puckett said. “I think you would see students turning out to that as well as faculty and staff who would line up for the opportunity.”
Puckett said testing is a great tool, but the way to fight the virus is to get vaccinated.
“Testing is great, it’s essential, but that’s not the way to fight this anymore,” Puckett said.
President Bob Jackson said Murray State will continue to encourage individuals to get the vaccine.
“Vaccines are safe and effective,” Jackson said. “The University has jointly held several vaccine clinics with the Calloway County Health Department and others this semester and several more are being offered throughout the semester.
Jackson said students, faculty and staff can get the vaccine and be tested at Health Services located on the first floor of Wells Hall from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
“The MSU Racer Restart site also has listed additional locations for the campus community to receive a COVID-19 test or vaccination,” Jackson said. “The University will continue to follow all state, local and federal health guidelines regarding COVID-19.”