Masking restrictions loosen
Masks are no longer required in classrooms and on the Link, subject to professor preference.
For the first time since 2020, masking is not required in most areas on campus.
On March 4, Casey Gordon of the Pandemic Planning Committee emailed a COVID policy update to the student body. It detailed that masks would be recommended, but not required, in most places on campus.
Masks are no longer required on buses or other transportation. This is the first time since 2020 that students are able to ride the Link maskless and exit from the front door.
Professors will have the option to require or not require students to wear masks in the classroom. In addition, the email announced some new information from the CDC. The COVID risk for Stearns County decreased in the month of February from high to medium, the first change in almost two years since the onset of the pandemic. As of March 10, the CDC announced that the risk level has moved from medium to low. The movement of risk levels from high to medium to low might seem like a very quick jump, considering it happened over the span of less than a week. However, the CDC also collects data from the Minnesota Department of Health, which measures case levels daily. Their graphs show that the spike in January has declined significantly.
The email also specified that masks would still be required in counseling and health services facilities and following exposure to COVID.
Otherwise, masking requirements are left up to individual professors and faculty members.
On March 14, an email sent out from Barb May, academic dean, reminded students about the responsibility they have to attend courses in-person when they are healthy. Allowance of remote learning will continue to decrease this semester.
CSB sophomore Molly McGowan noticed the looser requirements in classes, saying that only one of her classes is requiring masks, while her four other classes are mask-optional.
“It feels strange but it helps me read tone much better…” she said. “Overall, it’s a bit privileged to say, but I enjoy the no masking as I have been safe and abiding the entire time.”
McGowan also said that for those who are vaccinated and boosted, this change has been long awaited, but for those who are high-risk, it might be too soon.
“It feels really nice to actually show my entire face,” McGowan said. “It adds to my self-expression… I know I am lucky to be double vaxxed and boosted, but I wish it weren’t so bittersweet.”
