MSU MANDATES Student COVID Status, Offering Prizes for Vaccinated
Updated: Aug 3, 2021
Author: Sergei Kelley
Michigan State University is requiring students to disclose vaccine status within two weeks, offering $20 cash for responses.
Responses are required by August 6 and “will be essential for our planning and to inform the public health decisions...as we approach the fall semester,” states MSU President Samuel Stanley.
[RELATED STORY: MSU Will Not Force COVID Vaccine, Ending Rules for Fall 2021]
“For example, if the prevalence of the virus and/or hospitalizations increases in our community, we may have to require masks indoors or participation in the Early Detection Program for those who are unvaccinated,” says Stanley in the July 22 email. “A higher vaccination rate in our community would make it less likely we would need to re-implement any safety measures.”
Emphasizing in bold wording, Stanley says survey recipients will “receive $20 into their Spartan Cash account.” Further, students who are vaccinated will be receiving prizes. “More information will be coming later this summer,” clarifies the MSU president.
The mandated survey does allow students not to answer.
Currently, faculty, staff, or students will not be required to take a vaccine.
[RELATED STORY: MSU Adds Influenza Vaccine Exemptions, Mandates Quarantine and COVID Testing]
Announcing a ‘more typical’ semester to the Faculty Senate on June 15, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Norman Beauchamp stated, “I think a lot of the emphasis will be on really kind of an honor code, right? Where people will be expected to be truthful in their statement about having had vaccinations," Beauchamp said.
Ending coronavirus monitoring programs and indoor mask requirements on June 28, MSU President Stanley further announced in an email that “MSU buildings, venues and services can operate without limitations.”
Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, students were required to wear masks outside and indoors, as well as participate in the Early Detection Program (EDP). Online health screenings, submitting weekly spit samples, and complying with university mask requirements were included in the EDP.
The survey has not been released at this time.
"As the president shared, the survey is intended to our planning and inform the public health decisions," Deputy Spokesperson Dan Olsen told The Morning Watch.
"For example, if the prevalence of the virus and/or hospitalizations increases in our community, we may have to require masks indoors or participation in the early detection program for those who are unvaccinated," Olsen continued.
The Morning Watch has reached out for comment; the article will be updated accordingly.
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