Dec. 8, 2021
Message from the President: Mask Requirement and Vision, Mission, Strategic Plan Update
Dear Colleagues,
As we move towards the end of a very successful Fall Quarter, I write with appreciation for your dedication to and support of our students and each other as we work towards adapting to a new way of operating. We have two updates on important university business that I would like to share.
Masking Policy and Other Business
We promised to provide an update on the masking policy, which was extended to the end of December. We have heard requests from various members of our community to extend the requirement for masks to be worn in all indoor spaces and outdoors when gathered in large groups. The Executive Leadership Team has agreed to extend this requirement through the end of the Winter Quarter, to March 19, 2022. We will consider an additional extension for the Spring Quarter and make an announcement by March 1.
Additionally, we have reconsidered our policy for large events, increasing the limit from 500 to 1,000 in attendance for requiring proof of vaccination. Following the Governor’s mandate, we will also accept proof of a negative test within the previous 72 hours. Masks will continued to be required at all large events, indoor and outdoor. These changes are being made given the very high ratio of our university constituency who are vaccinated and what we have learned about how to maintain the health and safety of our community.
Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan
The Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan Steering Committee met last week and agreed to move forward with drafting sample Vision and Mission statements based on the rich feedback we had received in the survey and any additional research we felt necessary. The Steering Committee will refine these drafts in January and then create a plan to share them with the University community and external supporters during the Winter and/or Spring Quarters. If you have questions, please do reach out to members of the Steering Committee or let me know.
I greatly support all of the care that has been taken with our students and our operations during the Fall Quarter. We have a campus that is over 92% vaccinated; we have strong compliance with our mask requirement; and we have found measures to maintain the health and safety of the university community even while returning to campus to work together and to learn inside and outside the classroom. We will stay diligent as conditions change in order to continue the success we have experienced this Fall.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thank you, and be well.
Jim Wohlpart
President