Cincy Reporter

Gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci is questioning the University of Cincinnati’s move back to online-only learning.

The move by the university is for the first two weeks of the spring semester for now.

“It's utter insanity that the University of Cincinnati is still canceling in-person learning even after mandating students get the vaccine,” Renacci said in a statement.

The university noted in a memo to community members that it would return to in-person learning on Jan. 24.

“Whatever UC students do, it will never be enough to appease the elite, left-wing administrators who are constantly changing the goalposts on COVID and refusing to let Ohio students resume a normal life,” Renacci said.

Four University of Cincinnati students have filed a lawsuit claiming the university's COVID-19 vaccine mandate is discriminatory and are seeking to halt the rule. The lawsuit, filed last month in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, argues the mandate violates multiple state laws, as well as the Ohio Constitution by infringing on students' rights to refuse medical treatment.


The University of Cincinnati has defended its stance on required vaccinations. 

It is requiring unvaccinated students to test for COVID weekly. Students unwilling to be vaccinated by the end of the spring semester may suffer disciplinary action including "separation from the university."

Renacci said if he were in the governor’s mansion he would be providing support to students left out of class.

“It's now clear this madness is never going to end until liberty-loving Ohioans stand up and fight back,” he said. “Students shouldn't have to choose between getting an education and getting the jab. As governor, I will always fight for Ohioans' medical freedoms and I applaud these students for fighting for their fellow students' liberties.”

Renacci, a former Congressman, is facing Gov. Mike DeWine in the May 3 GOP primary.

DeWine has been panned by conservative voters following his steadfastness to COVID protocols.

According to Pew Research, Americans are mixed about mandated vaccinations in public places. Whereas most are in favor of proof of vaccination for air travel, those surveyed were split evenly over requiring vaccinations to eat in a restaurant.

Eighty-eight percent of unvaccinated respondents agreed “There’s too much pressure on Americans to get a COVID-19 vaccine” and 81% of unvaccinated respondents responded yes to “We don’t really know yet if there are serious health risks from COVID-19 vaccines.” Another 81 percent of the unvaccinated agree with the statement that “Public health officials are not telling us everything they know about COVID-19 vaccines.”

According to an Axios-Ipsos poll, 20% of Americans say they will never get vaccinated. This is down from 34% from March.