Live Updates: Latest News on Coronavirus and Higher Education – 6 hours ago – Inside Higher Ed

Student Mental Health Is Worse During COVID-19

June 11, 6:17 a.m. Another study has found that student mental health worsened during the pandemic, The Washington Post reported.

In the study, researchers tracked 217 students who were freshmen in 2017.

Prior to the pandemic, students stress levels rose and fell, usually in tandem with midterm and final exams. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, rates of depression and anxiety have soared.

-- Scott Jaschik

Rhodes to Charge Unvaccinated Students $1,500 a Semester

June 10, 6:20 a.m. Rhodes College will charge students who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 a $1,500 fee per semester, The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported.

The fees will cover testing costs.

"A campus-wide commitment to vaccination will mean that we can move towards full capacity and reduced masking allowing for the intentional in-person campus life experience that we all love about Rhodes," said Meghan Harte Weyant, vice president for student life. "We hope our students will choose to be vaccinated to keep themselves, our campus and community safe."

-- Scott Jaschik

Marquette to Require Students to Get Vaccines

June 8, 6:18 a.m. Marquette University announced that it would require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Wisconsin State Journal reported.

It is the third Wisconsin private institution to require the vaccines. Beloit College and Lawrence University have also done so.

The University of Wisconsin system is not requiring vaccines at this time. Last week, Republicans held a hearing on a bill that would ban UW campuses and state technical colleges from requiring vaccines or mandating testing as a condition of being on campus.

-- Scott Jaschik

Stetson Offers Vaccinated Students Chance to Win Free Tuition

June 7, 6:06 a.m. Stetson University, a private institution in Florida, is giving two undergraduate students full tuition for one year as part of a COVID-19 vaccination incentive program.

Undergraduate students who provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 by July25 will be eligible for a drawing to win one of two one-year, full-tuition awards. Vaccinated undergraduate and graduate students will also be eligible to win a $1,000 award in one of eight weekly drawings Stetson is hosting between June11 and July30. To be eligible for the drawings, students must be attending classes in person and be enrolled full-time.

Stetsons goal is for 70 to 80percent of its population to be vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Friday, 28percent of members of the university community had reported to Stetson they were fully vaccinated.

-- Elizabeth Redden

LSU Faculty Demand COVID-19 Vaccine Rule

June 3, 6:20 a.m. The Faculty Council at Louisiana State University has passed a resolution calling for the university to require all students to be vaccinated by the fall.

Kevin Cope, a faculty member, told WWL News, It has not been clear to the administration the depth at which the faculty feels anxiety or concern about the situation on campus.

However, state attorney general Jeff Landry sent a letter to university leaders saying a mandate would violate state and federal laws.

-- Scott Jaschik

Indiana U Will Require Vaccination, but Not Proof

June 2, 6:19 a.m. Indiana University on Monday announced that it will keep a vaccine requirement announced last month to fight COVID-19, but it will drop a requirement that students and employees provide proof that they have been vaccinated.

"As part of the accelerated exemption process, those receiving the vaccine are no longer required to upload documentation," the university announcement said. "Instead, they can certify their status as part of a simple attestation form that will be available on June2. Special incentives will be offered to those opting to upload documentation, as well. Details on the incentive program will be announced later this week."

The attorney general of Indiana last week said the university could not require people to submit proof that they have been vaccinated.

-- Scott Jaschik

Catholic U Is Only College in D.C. Without Vaccine Requirement

June 1, 6:15 a.m. Catholic University of America is the only college in Washington without a vaccine requirement, The Washington Post reported.

John Garvey, the universitys president, said he believes most people on campus will get vaccinated on their own before the fall semester starts. We found that 70percent of the community had already been vaccinated with at least one shot, and this was nearly a month ago, said Garvey, referencing a recent universitywide survey. It was clear we would get to 80, 85percent in a couple of months.

But some students are pushing for a requirement. I think its too big of a risk to not look into enforcing it, said Nathan Highley, a rising senior. When students are participating in the community, going to stores, going to restaurants, it puts those unvaccinated and elderly members of the community at risk.

-- Scott Jaschik

Indiana U Responds to Attorney General

May 28, 6:15 a.m. Indiana University responded Thursday to a ruling by Attorney General Todd Rokita that the institution could require all students, faculty members and other employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but not require them to demonstrate that they have been vaccinated.

A spokesman told WANE News, Indiana University is requiring the COVID-19 vaccine because its the only way the university can confidently return to the experiences and traditions our students, faculty and staff have told us are important to them: in-person classes, more in-person events and a more typical university experience. In yesterdays opinion, the attorney general affirmed that it is legal for us to require a vaccine, including one under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). His opinion questioned specifically the manner in which we gathered proof of vaccination. Although we disagree with that portion of his opinion, we will further consider our process for verifying the requirement.

-- Scott Jaschik

Indiana Attorney General Says IU May Not Require Proof of Vaccination

May 27, 6:16 a.m. Todd Rokita, the attorney general of Indiana, has ruled that Indiana University may not require students, faculty members and other employees at the university's campuses to demonstrate that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The requirement of proof violates a new state law against any unit of state government requiring an "immunization passport," Rokita said.

However, the new law does not ban Indiana University from requiring vaccination, he said.

The new law "only prohibits public universities from requiring proof of the COVID-19 vaccine; it does not prohibit them from requiring the vaccination itself," Rokita said.

-- Scott Jaschik

North Carolina Governor Will Use COVID-19 Funds for Student Aid

May 26, 6:17 a.m. North Carolina governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has directed that $51.4million in COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government be used for student access to higher education.

The funds will primarily help community college students. Cooper will create the Longleaf Commitment program with $31.5million to guarantee that graduating high school seniors from low- and middle-income families receive at least $2,800 in federal and state grants to cover tuition and most fees at any of the states 58 community colleges.

The governor will also spend $5million to support mental health initiatives at state postsecondary institutions.

-- Scott Jaschik

Tulane to Pay $500 to Employees Who Get Vaccinated

May 25, 6:20 a.m. Tulane University announced that it will pay $500 to employees who show that they are completely vaccinated against COVID-19, 4WWL News reported.

Michael A. Fitts, president of Tulane, said that currently, 66percent of faculty and staff have reported their COVID-19 vaccination. The university wants to reach 90percent by July31. Part-time employees may receive $250.

Students are required to get the vaccine.

-- Scott Jaschik

Indiana U to Require Vaccine

May 24, 6:16 a.m. All students, faculty members and other employees at all Indiana University campuses will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccinations before the fall semester starts.

The move is relatively unusual for a public university in a conservative state.

"This new requirement will allow the university to lift most restrictions on masking and physical distancing this fall. Knowing that the vast majority of the IU community is vaccinated is the only way the university can confidently return to in-person classes, more in-person events and a more typical university experience," said a statement from the university.

-- Scott Jaschik

Washington State Public Four-Year Colleges Go Test Optional, Permanently

May 21, 6:18 a.m. Public four-year colleges in Washington State have gone test optional, permanently.

"The decision to move to permanent test-optional policies reaffirm our sectors commitment to reduce barriers for students. Further, as we enter a period of post-COVID-19 recovery, we continue our commitment to learn from this historic challenge and embrace long-term changes that best serve our students and state," said a joint statement from the provosts or vice president of academic affairs of the eight universities.

They are Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Washington State and Western Washington Universities, Evergreen State College and the Universities of Washington at Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma.

-- Scott Jaschik

Penn Health to Require Employee Vaccinations

May 20, 6:16 a.m. The University of Pennsylvania Health System, to set an example for those who remain hesitant, will require all employees to be vaccinated, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Most major employers in the area are encouraging but not requiring vaccinations.

That includes the University of Pennsylvania, which is requiring students but not employees to be vaccinated.

-- Scott Jaschik

Federal Judge Preserves Part of Suits Over Payments Last Spring

May 19, 6:17 a.m. A federal judge has preserved part of suits against the University of Delaware over last spring's period of remote instruction, the Associated Press reported.

Judge Stephanos Bibas ruled that the students are not entitled to sue over tuition. But he said suits over fees for student services were another matter. At a minimum, the fees claims are going to survive and proceed to discovery here, he said.

The university maintained that all payments should be exempt from suits. This is a contract and agreement Once your register, tuition and fees are due in full, a lawyer said.

But a lawyer for the plaintiffs said, They promised one thing, and didnt deliver it.

-- Scott Jaschik

Universities Lift Mask Requirements

May 18, 6:22 a.m. Many universities are lifting mask requirements.

Among them are: Mercer University, the University of Florida, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Weber State University.

-- Scott Jaschik

U System of Georgia Adjusts Mask Policy

May 17, 6:20 a.m. The University System of Georgia has adjusted its mask policy, WSBTV News reported.

In the fall, fully vaccinated employees and students will not be required to wear a mask while in class or at other activities.

Those who have not been vaccinated are "strongly encouraged" to continue wearing their masks inside.

-- Scott Jaschik

U of Rochester Develops App to Show Vaccine Status

May 14, 6:18 a.m. The University of Rochester has developed an app for students to demonstrate their confirmed vaccination status.

Students must supply the information to the university and then receive a green check mark to show.

The app is ready for use at commencement events.

-- Scott Jaschik

Penn State's Faculty Senate Calls for Mandatory Vaccines

May 13, 6:10 a.m. The Faculty Senate of Pennsylvania State University has voted -- 113 to 31 -- to require students and employees to be vaccinated by the fall, WTAJ News reported.

The vote is not binding on the administration. Provost Nicholas Jones said officials are currently working on incentives to get vaccinated.

So for students, were looking at opportunities to provide discounts at Penn State Eats and the bookstore. Were looking for drawings for resident hall students for free housing, upgraded meal plans, pizza parties, concert tickets, gift cards. For commuter students, drawings for meal plans, pizza parties, bakery gift boxes, snack boxes, concert tickets, gift cards, he said.

-- Scott Jaschik

U of Richmond Eases Restrictions

May 12, 6:16 a.m. The University of Richmond is moving from orange to yellow in its restrictions on campus Saturday, WRIC News reported.

Among the rules changes:

-- Scott Jaschik

UMass Faces Threat Over Suspension of Maskless Students

Read more:

Live Updates: Latest News on Coronavirus and Higher Education - 6 hours ago - Inside Higher Ed