Student Union to Meet on Issue: Interim President Says Health Top Priority

Given these challenges and shortcomings, many students may welcome the phasing back into the face- to- face learning. The University may, however, receive some pushback over its vaccination mandate. The National Students Union has yet to form an opinion on the mandate. News Five was told today the Union Executive will meet soon to discuss this and other issues. We asked Interim President Palacio, if he anticipates any legal challenges to the mandate, considering there is no national vaccine mandate, and because many view education as a basic human right.

Vincent Palacio

Vincent Palacio, Interim President, UB

“Good question, good question, but we have to also take into consideration the health of all of our students, and that is priority. And, as a university we are responsible for all of our students. And the science is telling us at this time the safest way is for them to be vaccinated when they come back. So, we may deal with that when we cross that bridge, but we are catering to the welfare of our students and faculty.”

Paul Lopez

“It says fully vaccinated, but I got a question about whether a not a student with one vaccine, in the process of getting a second, can attend in person.”

Vincent Palacio

“This thing is out now, the semester opens mid January. We have over a month for our students to get their act together to make sure they have the required timeline after the vaccination. So, again, the big word now is booster. We cannot mandate booster, but we encourage our students, our faculty to do all they need to do to make sure they get their vaccination.”

Paul Lopez

“Do you think that considerations will have to be given for some sort of exemption where health issues are concerns, and would you guys be open to considering those exemptions once they arise?”

Vincent Palacio

“Probably will, we will have to.”