Jill Smith
Contributing Writer
[email protected]

The vaccine incentive program is giving university officials an idea on how many students, faculty and staff are vaccinated on campus.

Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Shawn Touney said the University  expects the percentage rate to be higher than what has been reported.

“As of October 1, 2021, 54.9% of faculty and staff have uploaded their vaccination cards and are fully vaccinated through our voluntarily uploaded information,” Touney said. “Our expected vaccination rate for students is 53.8% based on voluntarily uploaded information.”

Student Government Association President Ian Puckett said he is happy more than half of students, faculty and staff got vaccinated.

“I was expecting more [vaccines reported], but I am optimistic that more individuals are vaccinated than the numbers on myGate show,” Puckett said “This was just for the initiative program. I know there are more students vaccinated than are reported in this program.”

Some students are not surprised by the percentage of those vaccinated on campus.

Junior woodworking major Cross Berry said he isn’t surprised by the results, but expected the percentage to be higher for one group.

“[I’m] completely surprised that the faculty/staff isn’t much higher,” Berry said. “It’s kind of disappointing that we’re only around halfway instead of being near 75%.”

Puckett said he is hopeful that he will be able to reach his goal of an 80% vaccine rate on campus by the end of the semester.

“I imagine the percentage is closer to 70%,” Puckett said. “I think we are still on track to hit 80% by the end of the semester.”

Junior psychology Amanda Harpole said she expected the percentage to be lower.

“I thought it would be lower, that is shockingly high for me,” Harpole said. “I am disappointed because I feel like a lot of people think the numbers are lower than what they actually are and feel more comfortable going out.”

Touney said several student organizations have met the 80% goal.

“We are very proud of many of our residential colleges, athletics teams and student organizations, which have exceeded these vaccination rates,” Touney said.

In addition to athletics reaching an 80% vaccination rate, Puckett said several organizations on campus are close to meeting that goal.

“My fraternity is around 73% and I’ve heard others say they are in the 75-80% range,” Puckett said.

Two Kentucky universities have announced plans to increase their vaccination rate on their campuses.

Eastern Kentucky University’s Faculty Senate passed a resolution on Oct. 4 to institute a vaccine mandate.

“Be it therefore resolved, that the Administration of Eastern Kentucky University will impose a mandate requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for all faculty, staff and students,” according to Eastern Progress Newspaper.

The University of Kentucky announced on Sept. 20 that 85.4% of their students, faculty and staff are vaccinated.

UK is looking into implementing a COVID-19 vaccine for all students, faculty and staff according to a release from the UK Information Technology Services Office.

“Over 2,300 people signed an open letter calling on the UK administration to implement a vaccine requirement. On Monday, the university senate passed a resolution asking for a vaccine requirement on campus,” according to UK Information Technology Services.

The University of Kentucky is requiring all unvaccinated students, faculty and staff to get tested weekly.

Once individuals have been fully vaccinated and have submitted documentation to prove their vaccination status, they are no longer required to get tested weekly.

Some Murray State students said the University would benefit from weekly testing.

Senior literature major Elaina Gilley said she would like to see a vaccine mandate on campus.

“I would personally feel a lot safer if that policy was in place,” Gilley said. “My sister’s school, [University of Illinois], also employs this policy and it not only was relatively well received, but it made COVID numbers drop significantly.”

Puckett said he is proud of students, faculty and staff, but is disappointed he has not been able to reach his goal of 80% vaccinated.

“I set this goal, and we haven’t been able to reach it yet so that’s disappointing,” Puckett said. “We’ve done all that we can do so far, and we will continue to do all that we can to reach this goal. I am very proud of our students, faculty and staff as a whole.”

Touney said vaccines are still being offered at MSU Health Services and other locations.

“We have had regular vaccination clinics this semester with details on additional clinics forthcoming,” Touney said. “Also, COVID-19 vaccinations are available daily at MSU Health Services and at multiple other locations.”

Vaccines clinics are being held Oct. 14 and Nov. 10 at the Curris Center from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Puckett said he and the University will continue to encourage people to get vaccinated.

“I really wish that we were higher at this point in the semester, but that’s just the way it is,” Puckett said. We’re going to keep pushing and we’re going to keep encouraging and hopefully we can get closer to 80% by the end of the semester.”

As of right now, the University will not require weekly testing for unvaccinated individuals on campus or a vaccine mandate.