Friday, October 29, 2021
Dear Springfield College Community,
As we remain committed to the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community members, Springfield College will continue to require masking indoors for all, regardless of vaccination status, and masking outdoors at all times for unvaccinated individuals, at least until the end of the calendar year. Face coverings remain required outdoors on campus for all when social distancing of six-feet or more is not possible.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announced earlier this week that the city will end its mask mandate on November 1, 2021 but recommends that masks be worn in all public indoor settings. He and the City also support businesses and organizations that continue to require masks indoors.
Fortunately, because of your careful attention to our important public health protocols, active COVID-19 cases in our community remain low and are declining. We are entering the time of year when colder weather will make outdoor programming and events difficult and many of our activities will be moving indoors. We believe keeping our current mask and vaccination requirements are critical steps to continue the progress we have made this fall to keep our positivity rate low.
In addition to the vaccination requirement in place for all employees and students, we respectfully request that visitors to the Springfield College campus, who are eligible, be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus or meet the requirements of a medical or religious exemption.
Organizers of events bringing groups to campus may require an attestation form as part of registration procedures.
The end of this current semester provides us with an opportunity to review our COVID-19 guidelines and determine if appropriate changes can be made. Communication on any changes will occur in early January. Thank you for doing your part to protect yourself and our Springfield College community.
Sincerely,
Slandie Dieujuste, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs
Mary Ann Coughlin, PhD
Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Patrick Love, PhD
Associate Vice President for Administration
