Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Beginning Wednesday, April 6th, individual instructors may adopt a mask-optional protocol in their classrooms. The Learning Commons will also become a mask-optional building (unless otherwise posted for individual or group office spaces). Please refer to communication from your instructors to know which courses will continue to require masking.
Masking remains required in all indoor locations for individuals without up-to-date vaccines (including those with exemptions and who are eligible for but not boosted). Any individual in days 6-10 of COVID-19 isolation following a negative retest must wear a high quality mask at all times, other than when in a private residence hall room/apartment.
Overview of Updated Masking Protocol to be effective April 6th:
For those with up-to-date vaccinations (including boosters), masks are:
-
Required where posted, including in any office, campus location or event.
-
Required in classrooms or class-based activities per individual instructor communication.
-
Required in healthcare service settings (including the Health Center, Counseling Center, and Athletic Training rooms).
-
Optional in other indoor locations on campus for individuals with up-to-date vaccines (including boosters), such as in the learning commons, residence halls, during recreational activities at the field house, wellness center, and PE complex, at Athletics events, in administrative offices and buildings, and at the Campus Union.
Anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask should do so and we ask our broader community to work together to ensure that we maintain a supportive environment on campus. We recommend that individuals wear masks in any crowded indoor setting. Wearing masks is also highly recommended for anyone with a weakened immune system, or anyone at increased risk for severe disease because of age or an underlying medical condition.
We encourage everyone to have a high-quality mask on hand at all times to use as needed. We continue to have N95 and KN95 masks available for students available at the following locations on a first come first serve basis:
-
Student Union front desk
-
Learning Commons first floor circulation desk
-
Wellness Center front desk
Employees may pick up masks at any of these locations, as well as from Human Resources. Academic departments also have masks available for student, faculty, and staff use.
This decision to relax the masking requirement has been made with consideration for the following factors:
-
current low COVID-19 positivity rates on campus and within our surrounding community;
-
readily available testing both on campus and at-home tests;
-
availability of high-quality masks that offer the wearing a high level of protection even if others around them are not masked;
-
our high rate of individuals with up-to-date vaccinations (including boosters) and
-
cooperation with current masking protocols on campus.
We are pleased that COVID-19 infection rates on campus and in our surrounding community remain low, but we will continue to evaluate and adjust our protocols accordingly based on public health guidelines, as well as community and campus positivity rates. We continue to be appreciative of everyone for actively contributing to the safety and well-being of our community.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Coughlin, DPE
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Elizabeth Morgan, PhD
Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs