Faculty association at University of Winnipeg want mandatory masks, vaccines this fall

Calls for mandatory vaccinations at U of W The University of Winnipeg Faculty Association is calling for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations when school resumes this fall.

WINNIPEG — The group representing faculty members at the University of Winnipeg wants the university to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory when classes resume this fall.

The University of Winnipeg Faculty Association (UWFA) is making a recommendation to university leadership to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all people engaged in on-campus activities this fall, according to an e-mail from Peter Miller, the UWFA president.

Miller said requiring a vaccine would ensure a safe return to learning.

“Right now, to come into campus, we have to tap a key fob against a box that lights up green if you’re allowed to come in,” he said. “This could be registered to my COVID-19 vaccination status, it could be attached to faculty and student IDs, I think there are many ways to do it,” he said.

The UWFA also wants masks to remain mandatory on campus.

Miller said some classes at the university have more than 100 students, and other safety protocols are not possible.

“Contact tracing is an impossibility, cohorting is an impossibility, and distancing is in an impossibility," he said. “If we can have vaccines to attend a Winnipeg Blue Bombers game. I think we can have vaccines to attend university.”

On its health and safety page, last updated July 14, the University of Winnipeg said it is expecting masks and physical distancing requirements will no longer be required, though students can still wear masks if they want. Vaccinations are “strongly encouraged,” according to the document.

There will be options for individuals who are not vaccinated, and the university says 42 per cent of fall classes will be offered online.