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DSU incentivizes COVID-19 vaccine, intends to remove mask mandate for fall semester4 min read

March 16, 2021

In a President’s Cabinet meeting Monday, March 15, Dickinson State University (DSU) administrators voted to encourage students, staff, and faculty members to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine, allowing them an opportunity to be exempt from the current campus-wide mask mandate.

“Our students, staff, and faculty have been very good about adhering to University safety protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DSU President Steve Easton. “By participating in regular screening and testing, practicing social distancing and diligently using masks, we have minimized the number of COVID-19 cases on campus.”

Mask mandate exemption

Beginning Monday, March 22, campus and other Dickinson community members who have been fully vaccinated (14 days post vaccination) will be able to bring their vaccine card to the Office of Academic Records, during business hours in May Hall room 111, and receive a “Bustin’ Out” pin or bracelet to wear providing them an exemption from the current campus-wide mask mandate.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

To support vaccination efforts, the University has worked closely with The Medicine Shoppe® Pharmacy of Dickinson to host vaccine clinics on campus as part of its “Bustin’ Out” campaign – named after DSU’s mascot, Buster Blue Hawk. In addition to the most recent clinic that was held March 10, another DSU clinic is planned for Wednesday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available in North Dakota for all priority group 1A, 1B and 1C eligible individuals. Eligible individuals include essential critical infrastructure workers in health care and public health, education, communications and information technology, law enforcement, public safety and other first responders, critical manufacturing, commercial facilities, emergency services, energy, financial, food and agriculture, government facilities, transportation systems and other community essential functions.

Campus community members who are interested in receiving a vaccine at the upcoming DSU clinic should call Carrie Knudson at 701-401-5088. Appointments can be made beginning Monday, March 22. All campus community members, including DSU students, are encouraged to call as excess vaccines may be available. The NDDOH has also made a COVID-19 vaccine locator available online, listing vaccine availability and locations.

Mask mandate to be removed for fall 2021

Due to decreasing COVID-19 numbers in Stark County and across the state of North Dakota, along with the increasing availability of COVID-19 vaccines, Dickinson State University also intends to remove its current campus-wide mask mandate, making mask wearing optional for the fall 2021 semester.

“Considering how quickly COVID-19 vaccines are being made available, we anticipate that a significant number of our campus community members will have been vaccinated by the fall semester,” said Dr. Debora Dragseth, provost and vice president for academic affairs at DSU. “We are looking forward to a return to normal operations at DSU. We are grateful for the efforts of the campus community that have made this possible.”

DSU will continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions and will adapt protective measures as necessary.

Update provided March 23, 2021

In response to concerns that have been expressed regarding the University’s COVID-19 vaccination promotion initiative, DSU would like to share some additional information.

  • Participation in this initiative is 100% voluntary for campus community members.
  • This initiative does not violate HIPAA.
  • Individuals are not required to be vaccinated to be on campus or to participate in academic or extracurricular activities.
  • Face coverings have been required during the 2020-21 academic year and will continue to be required until the fall 2021 semester begins, unless individuals are fully vaccinated and have received exemption from the existing mask mandate.
  • DSU intends to remove the mask mandate for all campus and community members, regardless of vaccination status, beginning fall 2021.
  • DSU students work in critical services such as healthcare, childcare, and food service. They could be asymptomatic spreaders in these and other environments, especially if they are not vaccinated.
  • DSU is encouraging campus members to be vaccinated to help protect those in the community that are most vulnerable.
  • Like all healthcare measures, the vaccine does not eliminate all risk but it does substantially reduce risk.
  • DSU is proud of the efforts made on campus to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including this latest initiative to encourage our students, faculty, and staff to voluntarily be vaccinated.

This is an initiative to promote health and encourage responsibility. Prior to the availability of the vaccine, the best thing DSU could do for the community was to encourage social distancing and the use of face coverings. Since the vaccine has become available, the best thing DSU can do to protect the community is to encourage campus members to receive it. Participation in this initiative is voluntary.

DSU will continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions and will adapt protective measures as necessary.

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