Mississippi News
University of Mississippi ditches vaccine mandate
University of Mississippi ditches employee vaccine mandate on the day it was to go into effect
Chancellor Glenn Boyce announced on Wednesday that the University of Mississippi is abandoning its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees on the very same day employees were required to be fully vaccinated.
The decision comes after a federal judge in Georgia issued an injunction against President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate for federal contract workers.
Judge R. Stan Baker temporarily blocked implementation of the federal mandate on Tuesday in response to a lawsuit from multiple states, including Mississippi, that argued that letting the mandate take effect on Jan. 4 would cause “irreparable injury” to workers who could be fired for failing to comply. In his announcement, Boyce did not rule out reinstating the mandate for employees if the injunction is overturned.
“We will continue to monitor any additional developments in the law, including any appeal of the Georgia decision and other court cases related to the vaccination mandate,” Boyce said in an email announcing the reversal. “As courts make their rulings, this situation could change. If the mandate is reinstated by a court, we will adjust our efforts accordingly.”
The university's vaccine mandate for those in institutional clinical settings, such as the University of Mississippi Medical Center, was approved separately and will remain in effect.
The Institutions of Higher Learning's Board of Trustees voted on Oct. 25 to require university employees to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8. The board made the decision just weeks after it voted to ban public universities from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for students, faculty and staff. It was the first higher education governing board in the country to do so.
READ MORE: In a reversal, IHL requires employees be vaccinated by Dec. 8 to comply with federal order
Mississippi's public universities have about 120 federal contracts totaling $271 million in funding, so the federal mandate applied to its employees. However, the IHL requirement included language that allowed COVID-19 vaccine requirements to be reversed if Biden's executive order was stayed, delayed or revoked.
Though university employees will now be able to refuse vaccination if they wish to do so, Boyce encouraged them to take the shot anyway.
“While this action stays the mandate, the benefits of getting vaccinated are clear,” Boyce said. “As we approach the year-end holiday season when we will gather with family and friends, I urge everyone to make it a priority to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated.”
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Columbus Farmers’ market hosts its grand opening
SUMMARY: The Hitching Lot Farmers' Market in Columbus, Mississippi had a successful grand opening with live music, arts, crafts, and vendors. The market allowed local gardeners to sell their fresh plants and vegetables, while also offering educational sessions on health and safety. Market coordinator, Chelsea Best emphasized the importance of supporting local vendors who work hard to provide fresh produce. Customers like Cream McCloud expressed their satisfaction with the market and its offerings. The market is open on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Overall, the community enjoyed shopping locally and engaging in fun activities at the Hitching Lot Farmers' Market.
The post Columbus Farmers' market hosts its grand opening appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Town of Carrollton celebrates new municipal playground
SUMMARY: Pickens County, Alabama is focused on economic development, with the town of Carrollton recently celebrating the opening of a new municipal playground. The project began six years ago and was completed in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Officials believe that amenities like the playground will attract more people to the town. Mayor Mickey Walker highlighted the potential for hosting events at the playground area, which includes a walking track and pavilion. Overall, this initiative is seen as a positive step towards increasing community engagement and attracting visitors to the area.
The post Town of Carrollton celebrates new municipal playground appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Columbus Fire teaches community about safety practices
SUMMARY: The Columbus Fire & Rescue Team demonstrated their vehicle extrication skills at the Hitching Lot Farmers' Market as part of their training. Battalion Chief Chip Kain emphasized the importance of this training in preparing the team to quickly and effectively rescue individuals from accidents and transport them to medical care. The team thanked Champion's Towing Recovery for providing a vehicle for the demonstration. The demonstration highlighted the critical role of the Rescue Team in getting accident victims to the hospital in a timely manner. The event showcased the dedication and readiness of the team to serve the community in emergency situations.
The post Columbus Fire teaches community about safety practices appeared first on www.wcbi.com
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