CU Board Of Regents Member Opposes Mandatory Vaccination

BOULDER, CO — A University of Colorado Board of Regents member is continuing his fight against the university's mandatory coronavirus vaccine requirement.

Chance Hill, who represents the board in the 5th Congressional District in Colorado Springs, is again set to discuss his opposition to the requirement in a resolution during Thursday's Board of Regents meeting.

The University of Colorado's four campuses will require all students and staff to have vaccinations before the fall semester begins, university officials announced in late April.

"This is the kind of consequential systemwide decision that should involve meaningful Regent input and discussion before any policy is made, which did not happen in this case," the resolution reads.

The university's president and campus chancellors made the decision after consulting with state and local public health officials, the university said in a statement released after the requirement was announced.

"The science around COVID-19 and vaccines is clear and compelling," the statement read. "Vaccines are good for public health, not only lowering rates of infection on our campuses, but also in the communities they call home.

"Vaccines will also allow on-campus students and faculty to resume their in-person experience that is critical to academic success and personal growth."

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The university administration "should encourage vaccinations, but not require them, thus leaving the option to be vaccinated up to individual members of the university community," the resolution reads.

"The decision to inject anything into one’s body is deeply personal."

Many colleges and universities across the U.S. have announced the vaccine requirement for their fall semesters, but others have been hesitant to issue the controversial mandate. Governors in Montana, Utah, Texas and Florida have signed orders that ban institutions from requiring vaccines.

Colorado's Department of Higher Education and the governor's office encouraged the University of Colorado to require vaccines, university officials said.