Media report change in UMS vaccine stance for students
The Associated Press, the Portland Press Herald, Centralmaine.com, News Center Maine, the Bangor Daily News, The Franklin Journal, WGAN (98.5 FM in Portland), WQCB (106.5 FM in Brewer), WMTW (Channel 8 in Portland), WABI (Channel 5), WAGM (Channel 8 in Presque Isle), WGME (Channel 13 in Portland), WMTW (Channel 8 in Portland) and Mainebiz reported that the University of Maine System will require students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to participate in on-campus learning and activities this fall. The System is also in negotiations with staff labor unions regarding vaccine requirements. Several of the stories noted that more than 10,300 staff and students across the system have already reported receiving the vaccine using the online portal. In reporting the policy change, Maine Public talked with Robert Glover, an associate professor of political science at UMaine, who recently co-authored an op-ed advocating for a vaccine mandate. Seacoastonline shared another BDN report highlighting the System’s decision. WPFO (Channel 23 in Portland) reported that UMS is working to authenticate the vaccine cards uploaded, but state vaccine databases cannot be accessed to verify vaccine status.