Our Face Covering Requirement
Team,

I apologize for sending an email late on a Friday, but we received new information a short time ago from the CDC regarding indoor face coverings. A significant decrease in COVID-19 cases, readily available vaccinations and boosters, and updated guidance from the CDC allows us to modify our on-campus COVID-19 response. To ensure faculty and staff have the time they may need to make preparations, we will not immediately implement today’s announcement from the CDC.
Effective Wednesday, March 2, face coverings will be optional at University campus locations and outreach centers in counties that have a COVID-19 Community Level of Low or Medium.

Currently, Bannock County and Bonneville County have medium or low levels, so starting next Wednesday, masks will no longer be required in classrooms, labs, event spaces, or other indoor areas on the Pocatello and Idaho Falls campuses. However, until the situation improves in Twin Falls County and Ada County, face coverings will continue to be required indoors on those campuses.
This decision by the University was made after consulting with local public health experts and reviewing today’s updated guidance from the CDC. I encourage everyone to regularly check the CDC’s website for updates about their specific county. Please keep in mind that the metrics could change in the future, and we all need to be prepared to adjust our campus-specific operations if a county moves into Level High. I also understand that many questions remain as we implement and follow this updated CDC guidance. Please be patient and know that we will send additional communications next week.

As needed, faculty and staff are invited to request accommodations and work with their supervisor or department chair to discuss distance-based work arrangements or course delivery. To the best of their ability, faculty should also provide any students who may not be comfortable attending class in person without a face covering an opportunity to participate through a distance-based format. Flexibility across the entire University will continue to be our approach as we navigate this virus. 

There are some in our campus community who will continue to wear a face covering, and everyone should feel supported as they make personal decisions about their own health and well-being. Idaho State still has a number of KN95 masks available to support individual face covering decisions. Also, individuals with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

For two years, we have, together, navigated this pandemic. It has brought operational uncertainty, unforeseen challenges, and tested our ability to deliver our mission of education. However, even during some of the most challenging days and weeks, you were here for our students. You supported our mission and continued to deliver a high-quality education, even if that sometimes meant from a distance. I am so very proud of how our Bengal community came together and showed that this was our finest hour. Please continue to follow public health guidance, support our students, and work hard to keep yourself and others in our community healthy. 

––Kevin

Kevin Satterlee
President
Idaho State
This communication was sent to all Idaho State University faculty and staff.
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