September 2, 2021, Bowling Green State University instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on all students, faculty, and staff. This action came after numerous colleges and universities across Ohio and the United States took similar actions.
While authorities regularly discuss vaccine mandates considering the COVID-19 pandemic, some individuals hold that these measures violate medical privacy and free speech. Students in Young Americans for Freedom and Turning Point USA at BGSU hold to this position and are protesting these measures in rallies on campus.
The COVID-19 vaccine is the first vaccination required by Bowling Green State University. BGSU contradicts its own vaccination policy in requiring the COVID-19 vaccine.
To continue enrollment, students must submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a medical, religious, or conscience exemption. Students with exemptions must submit to a weekly COVID-19 test. Both the submission of proof of vaccination and weekly COVID-19 tests for vaccine-exempt students violate students’ medical consent and privacy.
Requiring vaccine or weekly tests for exemptions is forcing students to take actions with which they may not agree. Action is a form of speech. Forced action is forced speech. Forced speech is not free speech. BGSU as a taxpayer funded institution should be concerned about violating students’ right to free speech.
Students choose freely where they attend college. However, for those who fall into a lower socioeconomic bracket but also wish to maintain their medical privacy, few options exist. Most state universities provide much funding for those of lower socioeconomic bracket. And many state schools also now require the COVID-19 vaccine. Thus, state universities have limited the educational opportunities of individuals who will not receive the vaccine but also are socioeconomically underprivileged.
Students and alumni of Bowling Green State University should act against these egregious violations of medical privacy and free speech. Students should protest these mandates. Alumni should write BGSU to express their disdain. All Ohioans in disagreement with campus-wide vaccine mandates should contact their state representative and senator and urge them to act against these state educational institutions.
In Liberty,
Emily Smith
Bowling Green
A protest against BGSU vaccination mandate will be held outside the Bowen-Thompson Student Union on Thursday, noon to 2 p.m.
