The University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi and Jackson State University, which combined have about 120 federal contracts for a total of over $271 million, told the Associated Press on Friday they have stopped their mandates now that they are no longer required.
The order, issued on September 9, required workers who do work related to federal contracts get a COVID vaccine by December 8, which was later extended to January 4, unless they qualified for a medical, religious or disability exemption.
Four other universities in the state—Mississippi University for Women, Alcorn State University, Delta State University and Mississippi Valley State University—never had a vaccine mandate for employees as they have no relation to the federal contracts involved in the order, according to Mississippi Valley State University spokesperson Donell Maxie.
In September, Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning board of trustees voted to stop public universities from requiring a vaccine for any students or employees, unless they work in medicine like at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
On October 25, the board of trustees voted 9-3 to enforce the order at the relevant universities, provided the order was not stayed, delayed or revoked entirely.
U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker issued the injunction that stayed the order this week, in response to a lawsuit from several states and federal contractors, one of which is the Associated Builders and Contractors Incorporated, which does work across the country and allowed for the order to be temporarily nullified across the nation.
In a letter to employees announcing the suspension of the University of Mississippi’s employee vaccine mandate Wednesday, Chancellor Glenn Boyce thanked the thousands of workers who “mobilized quickly” to submit their vaccination cards or exemption requests for review before the January 4 deadline. He said the university still encourages all employees to be vaccinated.
“While this action stays the mandate, the benefits of getting vaccinated are clear,” he wrote.
He said the university will monitor any additional developments in the law, including any appeal of the Georgia decision and other court cases related to the vaccination mandate.
“As courts make their rulings, this situation could change,” Boyce wrote. “If the mandate is reinstated by a court, we will adjust our efforts accordingly.”
In their messages to staff this week, Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi officials said they planned to keep their vaccination portals open so employees could submit proof of vaccination if they wish.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s vaccination mandate will remain in effect.
The order came in response to a lawsuit from several contractors and seven states: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia.
Baker found that the states are likely to succeed in their claim that Biden exceeded authorization from Congress when he issued the requirement in September.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
