Biden's COVID-19 Plan | Graphic by Grace Merkle | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University (WSU) remains uncertain about mandating COVID-19 vaccines as President Biden issues a nationwide Covid vaccine initiative.
Biden’s initiative
President Joseph Biden announced Sept. 9 a new plan for vaccine mandates in the U.S. including a plan requiring employers with 100 or more workers to mandate COVID vaccination in the workplace, according to the White House press release.
Enforced through the Department of Labors’ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the emergency standard includes guidance on COVID mandatory vaccination, testing, masking and physical distancing.
Aimed at health care workers, immunocompromised individuals and the unvaccinated, the standard also encourages employers and employees in high transmission areas to follow its guidance.
“This guidance is also intended to help employers and workers who are located in areas of substantial or high community transmission, who should take appropriate steps to prevent exposure and infection regardless of vaccination status,” OSHA’s press release said.
Greene County, the county in which WSU’s main campus resides, is labeled as a high transmission area according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Legality of plan
The announcement of Biden’s plans prompts questions of legality and application to higher education.
According to WSU political science professor John Feldmeier, the legality of the plan is ultimately decided by higher court systems, if and when the bill is officially contested. Due to the emergency situation of the global pandemic, Biden’s plan holds legal standing.
Feldmeier added that while there is no set guidance on whether the plan applies to state universities, logic would indicate that due to the fact state institutions employ over 100 workers and receive federal funding from the state, it would apply.
Wright State’s decision
With the new nationwide initiative, WSU remains hesitant on implementing a vaccine mandate for faculty, staff, student workers or students at large.
According to WSU’s Communications Director Seth Bauguess, the university is still awaiting guidance from higher government authority.
While WSU’s administration waits for guidance, the branch of the American Association of University Professors voice their support of Biden’s plan and express desire for a vaccine mandate on campus.
“AAUP-WSU strongly advocates that all students, faculty, and staff be vaccinated and that WSU policy [mandates] it. … We believe in providing the safest environment possible for our students and for the faculty and staff who serve them,” Robert Rubin, president of AAUP-WSU, wrote. WSU continues optional COVID testing and masking. Learn more here >>
