University of Missouri curators approve resolution against coronavirus vaccine mandates

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri Board of Curators voted Thursday against coronavirus vaccine mandates on UM System campuses.

The move means there will be no mandates for faculty and staff or students at the system's four campuses or other facilities going forward, UM System spokesman Christian Basi said. The UM System has campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis and Rolla.

Curators Darryl Chatman, Todd Graves, Jeffrey Layman, Robin Wenneker and Michael William all voted against the vaccine mandate for students and staff.

Curators Maurice Graham, Greg Hoberock and Keith Holloway voted for a vaccine mandate for students and staff. voted the following way on both mandates.

Curator Julia Brncic did not vote due to connection issues.

Basi said the two resolutions approved during the curators' meeting Thursday do not apply to clinical settings, meaning MU Health Care's vaccine mandate for employees will not be affected. MU Health Care said last month that all employees must be vaccinated against the coronavirus by Oct. 1.

Colleges around the country are starting their fall semester amid a coronavirus case surge powered by the more contagious delta variant. The University of Missouri in Columbia has recorded fewer coronavirus cases in students than last year but the numbers have increased in the past few days. MU has reported 28 new cases in students this week and reported 41 active student cases as of Wednesday.

MU has reported 69 student cases this semester. The campus had 228 active cases when classes began in August 2020.

Masks are required indoors this semester on the MU campus and other coronavirus precautions are in effect.