This story has been corrected from its original version…
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Spirit Lake later this month in a case involving a former Dordt University nursing student and COVID-19 vaccination requirements connected to clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities.
The proceedings are scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts at Spirit Lake High School. Oral arguments will begin at 7:00 p.m. and are open to the public.
The case involves Andrew Perry, who was a nursing student at Dordt University during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Iowa Judicial Branch case summary, Dordt nursing students were required to complete clinical rotations at healthcare facilities. In 2021, Dordt notified students that to work in those facilities, they needed to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or seek an exemption.
Perry applied for a religious exemption. The case summary says applicants were required to provide a published statement from their denomination opposing the vaccine along with evidence of previous religious exemptions to vaccine requirements. Perry did not provide either, and Dordt denied his exemption request.
Lawsuit Filed Against Dordt
Dordt University says it does not have and has never had a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. The university says nursing students completing training in area hospitals and clinics are asked to follow the healthcare partners’ vaccination policies while in their facilities.
Perry sued Dordt in 2022, alleging religious discrimination under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
The district court found Perry did not have a sincere religious belief opposing the COVID-19 vaccine and dismissed the lawsuit. Perry appealed, arguing the court erred because Dordt valued some religious practices more than his.
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case September 15 in Spirit Lake.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Dordt University required nursing students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Dordt University says it does not have and has never had a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Nursing students completing clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities were required to follow those facilities’ vaccination policies. Dordt notified students of those requirements and administered the exemption process. The story has been updated to reflect that distinction.
