Minutes of a Regular Meeting, June 22-23, 2004 - Digital Collections

June 22-23, 2004AttachmentSTUDENT VACCINATIONS (ITEM AS INCLUDED IN MARCH 24-25, 2004 AGENDA)ACTION PROPOSED:President Boren recommends the Board of Regents approve the categories of studentslisted below for exemption from providing written documentation of vaccinations as mandated inSections 3242 and 3243 of Title 70 in the Oklahoma Statutes.BACKGROUND AND/OR RATIONALE:In May 2003, Senate Bill 787, addressing student vaccinations, was signed into law.The new sections of law, codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Sections 3242 and 3243 of Title70, require the following.Section 3242 – 1) Universities must provide detailed information on the risksassociated with meningococcal disease and the availability of vaccines to students who reside orplan to reside in on-campus students housing. 2) First-time enrollees who reside on campus arerequired to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease or sign a Certificate of Exemption.Section 3243 – 1) All new students attending classes on campus are required toprovide written documentation of vaccinations against hepatitis B and measles, mumps andrubella (MMR); 2) Universities are required to provide information to all new students regardingthese illnesses and the risks and benefits of the vaccinations.A student (or parent or guardian of a minor student) may decline vaccinations basedon moral or religious reasons; or be exempted from providing written documentation ofvaccinations, as designated by the Board of Regents. Accordingly, the Administrationrecommends the following categories of students be exempt.1. All students who graduated from an Oklahoma high school and who arepresumed to have met the legal requirements, where such vaccinations aremandatory by law.2. Full or part-time students from states with similar statutory requirementsfrom providing written documentation of vaccinations.3. Concurrently enrolled high school students.4. Students enrolled in higher education centers and other learning sitesauthorized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (trainingcenters, downtown consortium, business outreach classes and technologycenters).5. Adult students born before 1956.6. Students transferring from another Oklahoma college or university afterFall 20047. Non-degree seeking students and students provisionally admitted (studentstaking nine credit hours or less).8. Students who are active military.In accordance with the statutes set forth in Sections 3242 and 3243, the current policy atOU will be expanded to include vaccinations. Informational materials have been developed fordistribution to students, and were reviewed and approved for use by the Oklahoma StateDepartment of Health and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. New procedureswill be fully implemented for the 2004-2005 academic year.31.1