On the eve of a planned protest at the Dover campus set for Wednesday morning, Delaware Tech President Dr. Mark Brainard has announced changes to its strict and controversial vaccine mandate that would go into effect on May 1 for summer and fall semester students.
In the email and mandate obtained by TV Delmarva, Dr. Brainard announced changes to the policy that would exempt remote learning and unvaccinated students from the mandate only if they do not come on campus and sign an agreement not to come on campus during the summer and fall semester. Any students who would come on campus needs to abide by the mandate, which still states a student must be fully vaccinated (including booster) with no testing option available.
Enrolling students who are unvaccinated would be required to sign an agreement not to come on campus during the summer and fall semesters. Students who violate the agreement face disciplinary action, which could include dismissal.
“Unvaccinated students who are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement based on their
online status must provide written certification of their agreement to the terms and limitations of this policy as a condition to enroll in summer or fall 2022 programs/classes,” the mandate states.
Dr. Brainard also adds that college services that are not virtual would simply not be available to these students.
“The College offers many student services and resources virtually. However, not all student services and
resources are available in a virtual format. As a result, there may be some student services and resources that are not available to students who are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement based on their online status.”
The move comes after Dr. Brainard announced in January that the school would require COVID-19 vaccination for the summer and fall semesters. The initial announcement required fully remote students and all visitors to be included in the mandate.