COVID-19: Facial Coverings Reinstated Indoors

 Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

In just a few weeks, move-in for the fall semester will begin and we will welcome our new incoming class. I am looking forward to this upcoming school year, with hopes of an active, safe, and healthy campus community.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have monitored guidance on public health and safety precautions. As U of M System President Joan Gabel noted in her message earlier today, “We are committed to protecting the health of our community, and to adjusting as new information and circumstances dictate.”

Given the Delta variant, increasing transmission rates, and the advice of our public health experts, effective Tuesday, August 3, the University of Minnesota System is reinstituting a systemwide requirement that all students, staff, faculty, contractors, and visitors wear facial coverings while indoors at all university facilities. Regardless of your vaccination status, your adherence to our University Face Covering Protocol is appreciated and required.

If you are not vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to “Get the Vax” today. Vaccines are highly effective against the Delta variant. Review this Vaccine Q&A for resources and to learn more.

We have made much progress, and while this may be a detour, I am grateful for your participation and cooperation as we all work together to keep our campus safe. Even though our pandemic response plans remain fluid and able to adapt as needed, our commitment to student success remains solid. More information and updates will continue to be posted to our Safe Campus website.

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor