Tag: Delaware Tech

  • BREAKING: Delaware Tech makes changes to its vaccine mandate

    BREAKING: Delaware Tech makes changes to its vaccine mandate

    Updated revisions to the vaccine mandate at Delaware Tech, sent to students on Tuesday afternoon.

    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.

  • Delaware Tech requiring proof of vaccine for all students, visitors

    Delaware Tech requiring proof of vaccine for all students, visitors

    Delaware Tech announces a strict proof of vaccine policy, effective for the summer and fall semesters.

     

    The policy was emailed to all students on Friday and obtained by TV Delmarva.

     

    “As a result of the recent holiday surge, Delaware has experienced record-high COVID incidence and hospitalization rates, crippling our health care systems statewide. Last week, four of our health care systems announced that they are operating under Crisis Standards of Care protocols because they are “stretched beyond capacity.” For these reasons, the College will require vaccinations for all students registering for summer and fall classes,” college President Mark Brainard says in the email.

     

    Students will be required to show proof of vaccination registering for summer and fall classes. In addition any parent or visitor to the college will also be required to show proof of vaccination, beginning May 1. Online-only students are also required to show proof.

     

    “This would include parents attending new student orientations, registrants for personal interest courses, and members of the public attending meetings and conferences. Additional information about how to prove vaccination status will be shared soon, so stay tuned,” Brainard says.

     

    The new policy does allow for accommodations due to medical conditions or “sincerely held” religious belief.

     

    Delaware Tech has been requiring vaccine records or a weekly COVID test for employees since September 2021. This mirrors a policy enacted by the University of Delaware in December 2021, which required all students to show proof of vaccine and booster shot to attend the spring semester.

     

    “With record-high case numbers and the highly transmissible omicron variant, we had to take action to implement the most effective means necessary to protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. Not only is this a top priority for us as we adhere to our mission of putting students at the center of everything we do, but it is also our duty and responsibility as a community partner,” Brainard says.