UM Curators approve vaccine-related resolution, along with room and board increase

Saying that $76-million in federal funding would be at risk, the UM Board of Curators has voted to approve a resolution to comply with President Biden’s (D) vaccine mandate.

UM officials have spent weeks reviewing the president’s executive order, along with Governor Parson’s (R) recent executive order and a lawsuit from Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (R).

The 7-1-1 vote means that all UM System employees, including faculty, staff and student employees, must comply with the mandate with exceptions of those who object for religious or verified medical reasons.

The deadline for employees to get vaccinated is January 4. UM System President Dr. Mun Choi says the university will be responsive to those with exemption requests.

The mandate does not apply to students who don’t work for the university.

The board also voted to approve a six percent room and board increase. The university says that’s due to inflation.