Contrast UO’s policy of letting students (and faculty/staff) opt-out by just checking a “philosophical exemption” box, with West Virginia’s Wesleyan market based approach. Not sure that $750 fully captures the external costs, but it’s a start:
At This West Virginia Campus, There’s a $750 Fee for Unvaccinated Students
By Oyin AdedoyinAUGUST 9, 2021
Rather than offering a reward for students to get vaccinated, one college in West Virginia will charge a $750 fee to those who don’t.
West Virginia Wesleyan College announced last week that students who do not submit proof of vaccination or are not vaccinated will be charged a nonrefundable $750 fee for the fall-2021 semester. Students have until September 7 to provide proof of full or partial vaccination.
Meanwhile cases among UO students and employees (gray) have begun increasing again:
I’m with you, and WV Wesleyan, but I’m sure you’re more than aware that this is an O(regon) issue not a UO issue. Checking the exemption box requires the person to complete ‘an online vaccine education module’, which is no doubt useless, but what state law allows/requires.
We’re paying GC Kevin Reed $375K to tell our JH leaders how to do the right thing despite the law, and cover their asses if they get caught. Last I looked his office had a $3M budget. Advice on how to just follow the law should/would be a hell of a lot cheaper. Step it up Kevin!
Maybe we could also require each of them to detail their “philosophy” in a publicly available video that could be accessed by graduate programs, prospective employers, people they’re dating, etc.
That’s a brilliant idea! But then, they might go and buy themselves a fraudulent vaccine card and lie….