49°F
weather icon Clear

Nevada colleges planning COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students

Updated May 7, 2021 - 8:25 pm

Nevada’s higher education system reversed course Thursday and announced it is drafting plans to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students coming to campuses for fall semester, with “some limited exceptions.”

The Nevada System of Higher Education said, however, that the requirement is contingent on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first lifting the emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines.

It would also require approval from Board of Regents and the State Board of Health, NSHE said in a news release.

“I fully support the implementation of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students once it is legally viable,” NSHE Chancellor Melody Rose said in the release. “Our students cannot afford further disruptions to their education if the virus is allowed to spread unabated, which continues to be a concern especially during the colder months.”

NSHE oversees eight public schools, including UNLV, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada State College and the College of Southern Nevada.

As of mid-April, NSHE said it didn’t have plans to mandate vaccinations for returning to campus.

The news release did not address why employees would not be required to show proof of vaccination under the proposal.

The system is asking students and their families to be prepared for the possibility of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, according to the release. In the meantime, “NSHE continues to strongly encourage all students and faculty to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”

On Tuesday, Touro University Nevada in Henderson – a private school with health care and education programs – announced it will require students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus starting June 1.

More than 200 public and private colleges and universities nationwide have announced they’re mandating COVID-19 vaccinations, according to a list maintained by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty riled by sheriff’s substation closure

Lone staffer will be relocated to Pahrump to help with workload there; be onsite in Beatty just once a month.

Sales tax question headed to the ballot

Road conditions in the Pahrump Valley are a sore point for many drivers as well as a source of frustration for the crews dedicated to maintaining them but with only so many road dollars to go around, it can be hard to keep pace with the demand.

How historical storytelling is highlighting Tonopah attractions

Preserving history for generations to come while simultaneously boosting tourism – that’s the goal of Tonopah Main Street: Historical Storytelling, a project that’s using the digital age to promote all of the fascinating facts about the bygone days of Tonopah.

Bake sale rakes in $2k for splash pad shade

Pahrump Mother’s Corner is on a mission to see the town of Pahrump build a community splash pad but this group of local parents is doing more than just advocating for the project – they are actively raising money to assist with paying for what they all feel will be a crucial addition to it, a shade structure.

The Veterans Extravaganza – an information hub for former military

The 7th Annual Cles Saunders Memorial Veterans’ Extravaganza took place last week, giving former military service members a chance to learn all about the various resources the area has to offer.

Want to be the county clerk? Applications due March 13

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf announced his pending resignation last week and the Nye County Commission must now select someone to assume the soon-to-be-vacated office.

Older resident dies in fire

Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Services, along with the Nevada State Fire Marshal’s office are investigating the exact cause of a structure fire that claimed the life of a man early Wednesday morning.

How has the town fared with Fall Festival? Here’s an overview

When the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce made the decision to divest itself of the Pahrump Fall Festival, the town of Pahrump stepped in to reassume the popular community event.