(KIWA Staff Photo)Spirit Lake, Iowa (KUOO) — KIWA is issuing a correction to a previous story involving Dordt University and COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
The earlier report incorrectly stated that Dordt required nursing students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Dordt says that was not the case and clarified the difference between university policy and the policies nursing students encountered during clinical training.
The university says it has never required COVID‑19 vaccination, and that nursing students completing clinical rotations in hospitals or clinics were expected to follow the vaccination rules set by those healthcare partners.
The clarification comes ahead of oral arguments in Andrew Perry v. Dordt University, a case tied to vaccination policies affecting nursing students during the pandemic. The Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments September 15th at the Sami Center for the Performing Arts at Spirit Lake High School.
Case Involves Former Nursing Student
According to a case summary from the Iowa Judicial Branch, Dordt nursing students must complete clinical rotations, often at nearby healthcare facilities. In 2021, Dordt notified students that those facilities required either COVID-19 vaccination or an exemption — including a religious exemption — for students to participate.
Former nursing student Andrew Perry applied for a religious exemption. The summary says Perry did not provide documentation supporting his request, such as a denominational statement or evidence of previous religious exemptions, and his request was denied.
Perry sued Dordt in 2022, alleging religious discrimination under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. The district court ruled Perry did not have a sincere religious belief opposing the vaccine and dismissed the case. Perry appealed, arguing the court erred because Dordt valued certain religious practices over his own.
Correction
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Dordt University required nursing students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Dordt says it has never had such a requirement. Nursing students completing clinical rotations were required to follow the vaccination policies of the healthcare facilities where they trained, and Dordt communicated those requirements and handled the exemption process. This updated version reflects that distinction.
