University of Maryland GSG representatives passed a resolution Wednesday that asks the graduate school to provide graduate students with documentation vouching for their eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The resolution asked for department chairs to work with the graduate school to provide all qualifying graduate students with necessary documentation so that they can receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
At the Graduate Student Government meeting in February, students said they’ve been turned away from getting the vaccine before, or had to register on multiple sites to get a vaccine.
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“There are some places that are checking and even if you show up with as much documentation and ID cards and anything else, they will sometimes turn you away because they feel like it,” said computer science graduate student Yehuda Katz during the meeting last month.
During this month’s meeting, Tamara Allard, a psychology graduate student and resolution author, said that though her department sent the documentation, that hasn’t been the case across all departments.
“I think the goal here is to ensure that everyone has common knowledge of this,” Allard said. “Ensure that if someone asks for a letter, they’re getting a letter.”
Earlier in the meeting, Patty Perillo, student affairs vice president, said she has been made aware that members of the student body who are working in-person and at testing sites are being turned away for their vaccines — even with letters from department chairs and supervisors.
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The rollout of the vaccine has been complicated and confusing, Perillo said.
“My hope is that as the amount of vaccines increases and they get to be pushed out, we’re then going to see this kind of this open flow of possibility,” she said.
The university is also trying to house a vaccination clinic on campus, Perillo said. Administrators have been working with the University of Maryland Medical System to establish the site.
Though they haven’t been approved by the state yet, Perillo said she is hopeful.
“In order for us to come back to the campus community as we know and want in the fall semester, we need to make sure that our community members are vaccinated,” Perillo said.
