Judge Damon R. Leichty of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana affirmed IU's COVID-19 vaccination requirement in an overnight ruling Sunday.
The lawsuit, filed June 21 by IU students, sought a preliminary injunction against IU’s vaccination policy and argued that IU’s policy is unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment, and violates Indiana’s law against “vaccine passports.”
“The Fourteenth Amendment permits Indiana University to pursue a reasonable and due process of vaccination in the legitimate interest of public health for its students, faculty, and staff,” Leichty wrote in the ruling.
All students, staff and faculty members at IU are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination before returning to campus with exemptions limited to religious and medical reasons or those in a 100% online program.
“We appreciate the quick and thorough ruling which allows us to focus on a full and safe return. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our campuses for the fall semester,” IU spokesperson Chuck Carney said in a statement.
