Dear Lawrentians,
As promised in our previous community message, we write to share the university’s new policy on masking.
The CDC’s recently updated guidance on mask usage states that in areas considered to be low or medium risk (i.e., low number of new cases in communities and the availability of hospital treatment), residents may wear a mask based on personal preference. Our current numbers on campus—2 positive test results out of 559 tests on Monday—demonstrate low virus activity in our community. In addition, Outagamie County is currently categorized as low risk.
With both the campus and community numbers in the low range, the Lawrence campus will transition to being a Mask Friendly campus starting on Thursday, March 17, 2022. We will continue to require masks throughout the remainder of winter term to allow our community to prioritize our energies on completing the term. It also affords us time to transition into our new masking guidelines.
Being a Mask Friendly campus means that masks can be worn by anyone at any time on our campus but are not universally required. Addition, individuals may determine their own guidelines for their individual space, meaning that:
- Faculty may require masks in classrooms based on room capacity, air ventilation, and/or personal preference.
- Students may require guests to wear masks in their residence hall rooms.
- Employees may require others to be masked in individual offices.
- Meeting and event organizers may also require the use of masks.
The LPPT asks that we continue to demonstrate care, respect, and compassion for each other in our community. Individuals who prefer to be masked may obtain additional high-quality masks, including 4-ply masks, KN95s, and/or N95s, from Wellness Services. These provide the best protection from infection.
We will continue to recommend that individuals wear masks if they are ill or have COVID-19 symptoms. In addition, there will be times when individuals will be required to wear masks following current health protocols, such as individuals who have been identified as close contacts or who are in the five-day period following the completion of isolation for COVID-19.
LPPT will continue to monitor the COVID-19 activity on campus, pivoting as necessary to continue to mitigate the spread of the virus on campus.
We hope that you are excited as we are to take this next step. We ask that we continue to honor the wellbeing of others as we continue to make this important transition.
As always, please send any questions or concerns to coronainfo@lawrence.edu.
Be well and stay well,
Lawrence Pandemic Planning Team
P.S. We are also excited to host three vaccine booster clinics during the month of March. If you still need to receive a booster, please be sure to visit the on-campus clinics on March 7, 17, and 29, all in the Warch Campus Center’s Pusey Room. Find more information on the upcoming clinics in the LU Insider.
