Update to University Face Covering Policy

Published March 4, 2022

Dear Beach Community:

As the pandemic continues to evolve, it's appropriate that our campus begin to reassess our approaches to community health here on campus. This reassessment is based on recent guidance from federal, state, and local public health authorities, downward trends in COVID-19 cases on campus and within the surrounding community, and the wide availability of vaccinations and boosters. Please complete your vaccination regimen including your booster.

Beginning on March 14, 2022, wearing masks will be optional in most campus settings for individuals who are fully vaccinated. Exceptions to the indoor-mask-optional policy include the following:

  1. Masks will continue to be required, regardless of vaccination status, in classrooms and labs, the Student Health Center, childcare centers, public transit, small offices, and conference rooms.
  2. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors until further notice. 
  3. Masks will continue to be required when receiving one-on-one, in-person, close-contact services – for example, desktop support in the Horn Center, advising, counseling, and library consultations. In other environments, please put on a mask if requested.

We anticipate additional reassessment of our approaches through the rest of the semester and will update the campus community as appropriate.

Regardless of changes in requirements, it’s always a good idea to wear a mask. We still strongly recommend the wearing of masks indoors for at least three reasons:

  1. Campus community members may have children under the age of 5 who, as yet, cannot be vaccinated. Masking minimizes the risk of COVID transmission to these vulnerable children.
  2. Many colleagues remain apprehensive about being indoors with others who are not masked. Moreover, none of us will know when there is someone nearby who may be immunocompromised and in need of extra protection because of other medical conditions. Choosing to wear masks indoors is a good way to show respect for each other's health and safety comfort levels.
  3. Should a faculty member become infected with the virus, it will be difficult to find a suitable replacement at this point in the semester. In addition, given our current COVID-induced staffing challenges, losing staff to isolation protocols creates a terrible burden on other remaining staff members. We all must collaborate to preserve our students' academic progress and the well-being of our campus community members. 

Our campus remains a healthy place because we have been relentless in following public health guidance. The probability of becoming infected with COVID on campus is quite low compared to other large population entities because of our various protocols and high vaccination rates. If conditions change, our reassessment will, of course, take those changing circumstances into account. Expect additional communications no later than mid-April as we monitor the number of positive cases on campus.

I am confident that our staff, students, and faculty members value each other and remain committed to keeping our Beach community safe and healthy. As the semester continues, indoor masking in all indoor settings will likely shift to a matter of personal choice. But, as with all personal decisions, consequences abound. Please continue to look out for each other and do your part to help prevent the resurgence of the virus. 

Jane Close Conoley, Ph.D
President
California State University, Long Beach