ASUI has passed a joint resolution calling for the University of Idaho to bring back COVID-19 testing to campus.
A variety of campus organizations voted in favor of the resolution including ASUI, the UI Panhellenic Association, the Interfraternity Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. The resolution specifically calls for the restoration of the no-cost COVID-19 testing infrastructure that was present for the prior academic school year through a partnership with Gritman Medical Center.
Following the removal of the testing from campus, the resolution alleges that students who have returned for the fall semester have failed to be provided access to the necessary resources to navigate the virus’s current impact despite peaking numbers in hospitalizations and deaths throughout the state of Idaho.
“This year, students were asked to remain in in-person classes at full capacity without on-campus testing resources, surveillance testing or wastewater testing,” ASUI President Kallyn Mai wrote in a statement. “We understand the lack of resources in Moscow is a large factor, but we want to ensure we are looking into every possibility that will help alleviate students’ worries.”
The resolution also asserts that the need for testing has become more pronounced as it has become clear that a significant portion of the student population is unwilling to be vaccinated against COVID-19. To accommodate for this reality, testing serves as an effective alternative to track and, in turn, curb, the spread of the virus. In Latah County, the month of October continues to see college-aged individuals account for the majority of COVID-19 cases, with over 40% of cases attributed to those aged 18-29, according to Public Health – Idaho North Central District.
Beyond allowing for a safer campus, testing also allows students without the means or knowledge of how to seek out a primary care provider, to have an easy way to get tested on campus.
“I am not somebody who knows who my primary care provider is, my family does not go to the doctor on a regular basis, so I don’t even know where I would start the process of getting a test,” ASUI Vice President Katelyn Hettinga said. “I think that a lot of students are in the same boat, where they just want to have the peace of mind of knowing whether or not they have COVID.”
Hettinga added that the prior ability to track where cases were coming from allowed the university to better understand how to combat COVID-19 over the prior academic year. Without testing, there is no way for the campus community to accurately gauge the extent to which COVID-19 is spreading on campus.
“This is a complaint that we’ve heard especially for students living on campus, Greek Chapter Facilities or in the residence halls,” Hettinga said. “They have a really hard time getting off campus and getting to a health provider in the Moscow community and they want to make sure they’re protecting their neighbors.”
Royce McCandless can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @roycemccandless
Phil mahooters
The University of Idaho has turned more liberal then Boise. Sad is an understatement of what this University has come to.
Jorge Valdez-Scantling
I'm sure Scott Greed and his staff will get right on this. Sick students has to hurt the bottom dollar, right? Or will they just say "We're taking this pandemic seriously, cross our heart hope to die" as always and continue in their dereliction of duty?