Masks now optional, except in classrooms

March 2, 2022

Dear campus community,

We have accomplished much as a community in the last two years. Thank you to each of you!

We’ve worked together and looked out for one another. We’ve shared fears and conquered them. We’ve learned a lot about Zoom and Google Meet, and we now know exactly which type of mask best fits our faces.

Today marks a milestone when the expectations around masks on the Augustana College campus begin to change.

Effective immediately today, March 2, 2022:

• Masks are optional on campus, except in classrooms.

• Masks will be required in classrooms through mid-March.

Vice presidents also may require masking in employee meetings if circumstances make doing so prudent.

In all other campus locations students, employees and guests may be unmasked.

Students and employees who choose to continue to wear masks will be respected in their decision.

In mid-March, the Cabinet will consider further ramping down of COVID mitigation efforts on campus, including removing the classroom masking requirement (except under exceptional circumstances approved by the provost).

While we hope to be able to remove the mask requirement in classrooms, we will use this time to assess the impact that changes in mitigation practices will have on our community.

We will stop COVID surveillance testing next week, except where otherwise required by NCAA rules or similar rules. This is consistent with the March 5 expiration of Illinois Gov. Pritzker’s order requiring testing of unvaccinated community members. Contact tracing will continue.

Once again, thank you for your concern and support as we navigate the next phase of the COVID pandemic.

Sincerely,

President Steve Bahls