Staff Report

BLOOMINGTON – Indiana University has changed its policy about requiring COVID-19 vaccinations.

Feedback from students, parents, faculty and staff, as well as conversations with legislative leaders, led to adjustments in the vaccine verification and exemption process, the university said in a statement Tuesday, June 1.

IU announced Tuesday that students and employees would be able to attest to their vaccination without having to provide documentation of having received the shots as was required under the previous policy announced May 21.

A form for requesting vaccination exemption, originally scheduled for June 15 release, will be available on June 2 for those applying for medical or religious reasons, or for an online exemption for those not present on or near campus. Exemption details will be included in the form and IU’s Medical Response Team, among other designated IU leaders, will promptly review exemption requests, responding within five business days.

The changes come after Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and several dozen Republican state lawmakers claimed the policy was illegal under a new state law banning the state or local governments from requiring vaccine passports.

The university also said a form would be available Wednesday for those requesting exemptions from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons.

Special incentives will be offered to those opting to upload documentation as well. Details on the incentive program will be announced later this week, the university said.

“Requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for IU students, faculty and staff with appropriate exemptions continue the university’s comprehensive science and public health-driven approach to managing and mitigating the pandemic on our campuses,” IU President Michael McRobbie said in a statement. “This requirement will make a ‘return to normal’ a reality for the fall semester.”