Through an ATIPP, the numbers were released on Memorial University staff and faculty who are on unpaid leave after not complying with the university’s vaccine policy. MUN’s Chief Risk Officer Greg McDougall provided updated numbers to the media on February 9, 2022.
Last week, MUN resumed in-person classes, but not everyone returned. McDougall said, “It’s been challenging because there’s been a lot of different viewpoints.”
Then McDougall stated, “To date, we have 11 staff who are off on unpaid leave for not meeting the vaccine requirement, and we have three faculty members. We figure it’s about 58 students not allowed on campus but still able to learn.”
McDougall said that the university worked with several students to help them enroll in online courses.
With regards to staff and faculty, he stated, “Replacing any member of our campus community is challenging, but we have been working around it in turns of finding options.”
Moreover, McDougall stated, “I think the province has been challenged in terms of how we live with Omicron where we gone from complete avoidance of COVID, and we did really well with that, to learning how to live with it.”
McDougall said, “The students’ feedback ultimately led to some decisions in terms of changing the add/drop date, offering easier access for accommodations for immunocompromised students.”
Finally, McDougall said that the university continues to hold vaccine booster clinics on campus and has not yet decided whether booster shots will become part of compliance.
Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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