A Masking Update

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills:

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

On this beautiful winter day, I am excited to write to you with news that I know you have waited to hear for a long time.

In accordance with Governor Scott’s announcement yesterday regarding indoor mask guidance going away on March 14, and due to the now “low” risk level in both of our counties according to the CDC, NVU will move to a mask optional policy beginning at 4 pm on Friday, March 11. This includes all indoor spaces and campus vehicles.

Students, staff, and faculty should feel welcome and empowered to continue to mask if they feel more comfortable doing so. I know that each of you will honor those individual masking decisions as we encounter friends, family, and members of the public who feel safer masking or who are safer masking because of health conditions.

We do have some COVID policies and health practices that are still in place. 

All NVU students are required to be fully vaccinated, including the booster. Account holds will be applied shortly to those campus-based students who have not verified their full vaccination. You may verify the booster at NorthernVermont.edu/Covid19Vaccination. Boosting is our best defense against the pandemic.

Weekly testing will continue through the month of March.

As has been the case throughout the pandemic, please stay home if sick.

If conditions arise, we will reinstate our mask policy at any moment to protect our community.

Keep practicing good hygiene with washing hands, coughing into your elbow, etc. It keeps many the spread of many diseases at bay!

Thank you for all that you have done to keep yourself and the community safe. You have each been a critical piece in keeping NVU healthy. This care for one another is just one of the reasons why I love Northern Vermont University.

I look forward to the return of major traditions and sharing them with you. I can’t wait to see your faces!

Enjoy your weekend!

John