The University of Michigan faculty’s Senate Assembly has approved a resolution that supports mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty and staff, with limited legally mandated exceptions.

The measure passed April 19, after a brief discussion, by a vote of 25 to 4. Four members abstained.

The resolution reads:

WHEREAS, Senate Assembly affirms the value of an in-person residential experience at the University of Michigan.
WHEREAS, Senate Assembly supports the safe return of all students, faculty, and staff to in-person campus activities in the Fall 2021 semester as is reasonably practicable.
BE IT RESOLVED, Senate Assembly supports mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty, and staff with limited legally mandated exceptions.

Speaking in favor of the resolution, Vice Chair Annalisa Manera said the university has to be mindful of people who live in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities. 

 “There will be a lot of people who cannot be vaccinated, either for medical reasons” or because they are children, she said. “The university has the obligation to protect those around us.” 

Senate Assembly Member Luke Williamson Hyde, a member of university’s COVID-19 faculty council, said he believes the resolution is consistent with the direction administration is going in as it works to develop policies around vaccines.  

Chair Colleen Conway noted that various boards and committees around campus have had recent discussions around vaccines.

In response to a question from a member about incentives to encourage people to get vaccinated, Conway said that was an idea that could be passed on to administration. 

 “I think the biggest incentive is just being allowed to work. So if you don’t get it, you don’t get to work,” Senate Assembly member Dinesh Pal said.

Conway said she would share the results of the Senate Assembly vote with administration.

Members of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs endorsed the resolution last week.

The university has strongly encouraged members of the campus community to pursue vaccination opportunities wherever possible. Faculty, staff, students, spouses or other qualified adults, and dependents age 16 and older are invited to register for openings at clinics on or near campus April 21, 22 and 23. Details can be found on the Campus Maize and Blueprint.

The Senate Assembly and SACUA are part of U-M’s central faculty governance system. The Senate Assembly consists of 74 elected faculty members from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses representing the interests and concerns of faculty throughout the university. SACUA is the faculty governance system’s nine-member executive arm.