UNC System President Pushes for ‘Mask-Optional’ for UNC Campuses
posted by DorMiya Vance | March 1, 2022 | In NewsOn February 25, Fayetteville State received an email from FSU News regarding the new Face Coverings Protocols for the UNC System.
Recently, Gov. Roy Cooper indicated that schools and local government should re-evaluate mandatory masking policies at local schools and governments based on current COVID-19 data. Soon after, the NC Department of Health and Human Services moved for “voluntary masking” in K-12 schools.
Peter Hans, President of The University of North Carolina System, addressed all university chancellors in a memorandum sent at 2:02 p.m.
President Hans has decided to move forward with “mask-optional” campuses starting March 7. This decision was made after the rapid decrease in COVID-19 cases and as a response to Gov. Cooper.
Chancellors on each campus have “the authority to modify and tailor COVID-19 mitigation measures.” Still, President Hans is stressing that campuses have optional face-covering protocols “in all campus indoor settings, including classrooms.”
President Hans expressed respect for the efforts made by campuses and those who wish to continue to wear face coverings.
“As we all learn to live with COVID-19, current conditions allow us more opportunity to take personal responsibility for making decisions about our own health,” he said, “Any individual who wishes to continue to wear a face covering is encouraged to do so, especially those who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.”
FSU students Jazmine Wilson and Aly Perez have expressed disapproval of the possibility of FSU transitioning to a mask-optional campus.
“I think we should not transition into a ‘mask-optional’ campus,” Jazmine said, “Simply because it will only increase cases and outbreaks…possibly shutting down the university until further notice.”
“I don’t really like that we are considering going mask-optional. I take COVID very seriously, and I don’t feel like the state is,” Aly said, “I will continue to wear my mask…but I just don’t feel like this will pan out very well.”
FSU is still functioning under a mandatory mask mandate but has plans of “following the UNC System lead,” according to Joy Cook, Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communication.
FSU’s Office of Strategic Communication and Public Relations “will have more information on Monday” on proceeding with mask-optional protocols.
Logo courtesy of The University of North Carolina System’s Facebook page.
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