While universities across the U.S. adjust their COVID-19 protection policy to address the new Omicron strain, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) continue to adopt more stringent guidelines than majority-white universities.
As schools continue to adjust their protocol for the upcoming January 2022 session, HBCU officials cite a commitment to the community as a major reason for stricter guidelines. Black communities are more vulnerable to the virus, with complications from pre-existing ailments such as diabetes and heart disease compounded by limited access to quality health care.
Some called it “overkill,” Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, Morehouse School of Medicine president, said during a September town hall meeting. As reported by the Atlanta Constitution, she called the Atlanta-based university’s policy necessary to prevent an outbreak and to show how such measures could work in Black communities.
Morgan State University Dean Jacqueline Jones explained to NewsOnyx, “Black universities approach COVID-19 protection policy as we do many situations in our community. We must be more cautious than majority-white schools because the impact on our own communities is more threatening than for our white counterparts.”
Dean Jones explained further, “Many of our students live off-campus, often with relatives who might have compromised health. We do not want to be judged as irresponsible and possibly expose the extended campus community.”
Both universities cited a responsibility to be an example to their hometowns. Morgan State’s vaccine rates are higher than the surrounding community in Baltimore, Maryland. The university conducts a deliberately calibrated review of virus statistics and its impact on campus. Most dormitory residents are vaccinated although the school has not decided whether the booster will be required when the Spring session begins. Those dorm residents who are not vaccinated must have a religious or medical exemption and agree to test twice weekly. Failure to report for testing results in contact by school officials. Students who repeatedly miss testing are sent home.
