The State Board of Health meeting is underway. The board is considering whether to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for public college and university students: dpbh.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/… #nevada #nshe #lasvegas #reno
The proposed changes include a Nov. 1 deadline for proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enroll.
If approved, emergency regulations would be effective for 120 days and would have to go through a more rigorous public process in order to become permanent.
If approved, emergency regulations would be effective for 120 days and would have to go through a more rigorous public process in order to become permanent.
Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Melody Rose: Nevada law is clear the State Board of Health has the authority to make the decision about vaccinations and the NSHE Board of Regents is “eagerly awaiting your direction.”
If approved, the vaccination mandate wouldn't impact fall semester and would be for spring 2022 semester.
Public comments are underway. A couple of commenters earlier interrupted the virtual meeting to ask questions or make comments.
Kent Ervin, president of Nevada Faculty Alliance, spoke in favor of the proposed vaccination requirement, including medical and religious exemptions and for online-only enrollments.
“Please ignore the disinformation that seems to be spreading as fast as the virus,” he said.
“Please ignore the disinformation that seems to be spreading as fast as the virus,” he said.
College of Southern Nevada student body president Zachary Johnigan: The student government did a survey of students to ask whether they support a COVID-19 vaccination mandate. About 40 percent of more than 9,000 surveyed didn’t support it and 33 percent supported it a great deal.
Johnigan: Humans should have the right to choose what to do with their body and a vaccination requirement shouldn’t interfere with anyone’s ability to pursue higher education.
Abe Lugo, student body vice president at UNLV: Given the ongoing rising COVID-19 case numbers, the only way of combating this is implementing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Board is taking a 10-minute recess.
Public comment is resuming.
Byron Brooks, an NSHE regent who said he was speaking on behalf of himself, noted the topic has turned into a politically and socially divisive issue.
Clearly, a strong majority of students are not in favor of a vaccine, Brooks said.
Clearly, a strong majority of students are not in favor of a vaccine, Brooks said.
If a policy enacted, who’s liable for any adverse reactions that may happen? he asked.
Brooks said he’s asking state leaders to slow down “and reevaluate this entire agenda,” noting he can’t support the policy.
Brooks said he’s asking state leaders to slow down “and reevaluate this entire agenda,” noting he can’t support the policy.
The public comment period has been underway for about two hours. The majority of commenters have expressed opposition to a mandate.
After nearly 3 hours, the public comment period has concluded.
It appears a couple more public comments are proceeding.
Now it looks like the public comment period is closed.
The board is temporarily adjourning until 12:55 p.m.
The meeting is resuming.
Breaking: State Board of Health unanimously approves COVID-19 vaccination mandate for public college and university students.
The board is now hearing another round of public comments.
Meeting is adjourned.
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