By Ben Murphy
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The University System of Maryland announced Friday its plans to require vaccines for all students, faculty and staff who will be on USM campuses in the Fall 2021 semester.
“This is what we want,” USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman told the Board of Regents this morning, according to a statement released by Towson University. “We want students to have these bonding opportunities. We want them to have a college experience that breeds a sense of belonging.”
The plan requires vaccines prior to the start of the Fall semester for all students and faculty regularly on campus, including those taking and teaching classes.
The TU statement released to faculty and students quoted Perman saying that the decision was made on the recommendations and advice of university experts in public health, infectious disease, and emergency management.
The 12 university presidents and their cabinets, and the University System’s shared governance councils representing students, faculty and staff were also involved in the decision, the TU statement said.
The USM says it will comply with all federal and state laws in allowing exemptions for medical or religious reasons.
The statement said the state’s university system will still require COVID-tests, symptom monitoring, and mask wearing on all campus. The statement did not say how universities would enforce the vaccine requirement.
Reaction from around the system was generally mixed.
“We support this important step for a unified foundation that strengthens our efforts at Bowie State to keep our community safe,” Bowie State President Aminta Breaux said in a statement.
Towson President Kim Schatzel said TU has provided its community with various opportunities to get inoculated, and she renewed her call for all students, faculty and staff at the university to make a vaccine appointment.
“The requirement of the vaccine for our students, faculty and staff is yet another layer of protection against the introduction and/or spread of the virus that causes COVID-19,” Schatzel said in the statement released today. “Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to be leaders for the public good. We have an opportunity to show how Tigers Care.
“On behalf of our community, I thank Chancellor Perman, the Board of Regents and all of our state partners for their support in this effort,” she continued. “And I know that you all join me in looking forward to the return to a full, vibrant campus experience for our students, faculty and staff this fall.”
Professors and students who were interviewed today said they were supportive of the decision, knowing it is a big step toward bringing their campus life back to normal.
“I believe this is a necessary precaution to ensure the health and safety of everyone,” said University of Maryland junior Mike Jones. “With this mandate, we minimize the odds of anymore outbreaks occurring.”
“I think it’s a logical next step for the university,” said Towson University professor Jennifer Atwater. “I know I’ll feel safer knowing that the students in my classroom have been vaccinated.”
Not everyone agrees with the system’s decision, as some students feels they are being left without a right to choose by their school.
“I think this is unrealistic and unfair to the students who cannot or choose not to get the vaccine,” said Bobby Jones, a Towson University junior. “I don’t think students should be forced into getting a vaccine in order to return to being able to learn normally.”
USM urges all students and faculty who have not already to schedule their vaccine appointments with their local health department.
1 Comment
I think it is a violation of ones right – they should have the option to choose whether or not they want the vaccine. This vaccine hasn’t even been FDA approved.
You don’t mandate the staff or students to get the Flu vaccine but you will the Covid knowing it was the fastest manufactured vaccine