Indiana University announced Tuesday it will dial back some of its vaccination requirements for the fall semester after receiving feedback from students, parents, faculty and "having conversations with legislative leaders."
The university said it will still require vaccinations, but will no longer require medical documentation proving it.
"As part of the accelerated exemption process, those receiving the vaccine are no longer required to upload documentation," IU officials said. "Instead, they can certify their status as part of a simple attestation form that will be available on June 2. Special incentives will be offered to those opting to upload documentation, as well. Details on the incentive program will be announced later this week."
A form for requesting vaccination exemption, for medical or religious reasons, will also be available today for IU students.
On May 21, IU mandated that all students, staff and faculty — including those at satellite campuses such as IUPUC — would be required to submit proof of vaccination. At the time, IU said that staff and students not vaccinated would see their employment terminated and classes dropped for the fall semester.
The changes by IU come after 19 Indiana House Republicans and 35 Senate Republicans signed letters to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb requesting he use executive power against the university’s vaccination policies.
In addition, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita offered a non-binding opinion on the issue on May 26, saying the policy violated "vaccine passport" laws (House Bill 1123) which were passed during the 2021 legislative session.
Holcomb had said discussions about the policy were ongoing and that he wouldn’t issue an executive order blocking IU’s requirement as sought by some GOP state legislators, the Associated Press reported.
Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, who drafted the letter to Holcomb from the House, said Tuesday that IU’s changes aren’t enough.
"Asking to attest to it is the same as requiring it in my book," Lucas said. "It’s lip service. They are putting people in the position to say ‘yes’ I meet the vaccination requirement, or to be dishonest with their private health information."
Lucas said that he and "several" other lawmakers have continued to hear from unhappy constituents about the issue, and that the "nuclear option" for leaders to call lawmakers back into session isn’t off the table. The 2021 session has been in recess since April 29, as lawmakers will return to redistrict the state once Census data is available to them later this year.
In a statement, IU President Michael McRobbie said the vaccination requirement is to help keep campuses safe.
“Requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for IU students, faculty and staff with appropriate exemptions continues the university’s comprehensive science and public health-driven approach to managing and mitigating the pandemic on our campuses,” McRobbie said. “This requirement will make a ‘return to normal’ a reality for the fall semester.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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To read Indiana University’s new health guidelines for the 2021 fall semester, visit news.iu.edu.
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