ASUI introduced a resolution Wednesday calling for Idaho Gov. Brad Little to rescind his executive order banning vaccine passports.
The order, which contains provisions barring certain vaccine action taken on by state institutions, limits the University of Idaho’s autonomy in responding to the spread of COVID-19 on campus.
According to Little’s executive order, the decision to bar the implementation of vaccine passports and requirements for those wishing to access state services or facilities was implemented to prevent the violation of “Idahoans’ medical privacy rights” and curb the potential for “prejudice (against) those unable to receive the vaccine.” As a publicly funded university, the University of Idaho has since been unable to mandate vaccines.
The proposal, submitted by ASUI Director of Legislative Affairs Lydia McRoberts and Director of Safety, Health and Wellness Abbey Rode, calls for Little to rescind his executive order, a move that would provide public colleges and universities throughout the state of Idaho the “option to require vaccinations for students if deemed essential to student and faculty safety and wellbeing.” Under the current executive order, there are no provisions allowing for vaccine requirements even in the event of an on-campus outbreak.
According to Sen. Secilia Lopez, the matter of opposing Little’s executive order comes down to university autonomy.
“This proposal is simply asking for state-funded universities to be able to make their own decisions,” Sen. Secilia Lopez said. “Universities that be been able to make the decision that their students are vaccinated have proven successful, just like Washington State University right across the border.”
Lopez added that UI being able to make their own decision on mandating vaccinations is particularly important as case numbers continue to rise in the community.
Though the proposal has yet to be voted on, ASUI were divided on the issue, irrespective of their vaccination status.
“I have received the vaccine and recommend others to do the same thing,” Sen. Tanner McClain said. “This bill regarding the executive order is not based on student or faculty interests in the fundamental right to choose whether they get the vaccine or not … This bill truly comes down to what we value more as a student body: the strict enforcement of public safety or individual liberty.”
Others posited that the transmissibility of COVID-19 necessitates a community-focused approach to combatting its spread and maximizing campus safety.
“We do respect everyone’s rights and I do believe that people have the right to choose what they want to do with their life but that comes at the expense of other people’s lives,” Sen. Kaiya Sanchez said. “You can’t just only think about yourself in this situation.”
Though the discussion of a campus wide vaccination mandate will continue among ASUI senators, the resolution’s aim is to allow university administration the power to implement a vaccine mandate, rather than the Idaho governor.
Royce McCandless can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @roycemccandless