Dear Monmouth College Students:
In light of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to end Illinois’ indoor mask mandate for most places on Feb. 28, the COVID Ops group met on Feb. 16 and decided that Monmouth College will adjust its mask policy accordingly. Effective Feb. 28, face masks will only be required in:
- classrooms, laboratories, and studios during instructional times;
- during operating hours of the Trotter Fitness Center;
- Huff Athletic Center training room;
- COVID-19 testing center;
- and the Student Health Clinic.
Athletic teams will continue to follow guidelines set forth by the NCAA and Midwest Conference.
Because the highest standards of ethics, integrity, accountability, and respect are among Monmouth College’s core values, we respect the rights of individuals who choose to continue to wear a face mask while in all indoor spaces. Likewise, we ask that everyone respect the requests of students, faculty, and staff if they ask you to wear a face mask while meeting in an office, classroom, or conference room.
As our campus vaccination rate continues to improve, a reminder that on-campus testing will continue to be held from 7 a.m.-noon on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday on the first floor of the Haldeman-Thiessen Science Building.
Please note that Gov. Pritzker’s announcement applies only to masking policy. His executive order requiring that all students, faculty and staff at educational institutions must either be vaccinated or submit to weekly mitigation testing remains in place, and we will continue to follow that policy.
A booster clinic will be held from Feb. 21-March 4 at the Student Health Clinic. To make an appointment at the booster clinic, contact hfisher@monmouthcollege.edu. As we have throughout this pandemic, we will continue to review our face mask policy throughout the rest of the semester.
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation, not making assumptions about one another’s vaccination status or decision to wear a mask, and working together to make Monmouth a caring community of learners.
– Clarence Wyatt
***Report Courtesy of Dr. Clarence Wyatt, Monmouth College***
