Faculty Senate covered the federal vaccine mandate, mask-wearing in sporting events at the University of Idaho and the creation of affinity groups from the recently formed faculty-staff policy group.
Vaccine and mask mandates
UI Provost and Executive Vice President Torrey Lawrence reminded faculty that UI is presently at a standstill with the federal vaccine mandate. Although he said if the mandate were to move forward, UI would be 100% ready to go.
“I do feel like if we need to move, we are ready to move, at least with what we know about the mandate, and how it might apply to us right now,” Lawrence said. “That, of course, could change with any kind of legal opinion that came out as a result of the lawsuits and requests to delay the implementation of this.”
Faculty Senator Eric Mittelstaedt brought concern over the lack of masks being enforced at Vandal sporting events. Mittelstaedt said the issue was brought to him after seeing an image of a men’s basketball game with several fans mask-less.
“His constituent would like to know why we’re even bothering with wearing masks in the classroom if we’re not going to enforce it when all of our students are getting together in these massive events,” Mittelstaedt said.
Lawrence said enforcement is a problem with large crowds but would look into the issue and return with concrete answers after the fall break.
Affinity groups
Rochelle Smith, UI faculty member and chair for the faculty-staff policy group, presented the initiative for affinity-based groups.
“The goal of it is to make a path for affinity-based groups for faculty and staff who want official university recognition,” Smith said.
This initiative would have the potential for groups to receive funding, programming and other forms of acknowledgment from UI. Smith said the funding would help the groups have a formal structure. Smith referenced the LGTBQ+ and an indigenous faculty group having met years prior to start the formation of their respective affinity groups.
Canvas
UI will transition next semester to the learning management system Canvas, moving away from Blackboard Learn. Blackboard has brought up challenges for users in the past and faculty will be able to start using Canvas for their students in January 2022. Faculty Senate Chair Russell Meeuf reminded faculty to start testing out the site and to upload course material.
COVID-19 updates
Lawrence shared that COVID-19 cases continue to remain low. There are currently no students in the isolation dorms and few students are on university-supported self-isolation.
The incentives program for submitting proof of COVID-19 vaccination has ended. Students who have submitted proof have been entered into a drawing for $1,000 and $5,000 scholarships.
Sierra Pesnell can be reached [email protected]
Erin Fanning
Good question about wearing masks in classrooms vs. large events--certainly shows how uneven the response to the pandemic has been. Excellent summary of the meeting!