(KIWA Staff Photo)Spirit Lake, Iowa (KUOO) — The Iowa Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in Spirit Lake next month in a case tied to Dordt University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements during the pandemic.
The session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th, at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts at Spirit Lake High School. Arguments begin at 7 p.m. and are open to the public.
The case involves Andrew Perry, who was a nursing student at Dordt University when he sought a religious exemption from the school’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Dordt denied the request.
Lawsuit Filed Against Dordt
Perry filed a lawsuit in 2022, alleging religious discrimination under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. The district court dismissed the case, finding Perry did not have a sincere religious belief opposing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Perry appealed, bringing the case before the Iowa Court of Appeals.
The appellate court will hear arguments from both sides during the September 15th session in Spirit Lake. The Court of Appeals will not issue a ruling during the oral arguments; a written decision will be released at a later date.
