NVU During Covid-19: Indoor Mask Mandate

August 11, 2021

NVU Faculty, Staff, and Students:

The CDC recently recommended that vaccinated people wear masks indoors in counties with “Substantial” or “High” transmission areas. Caledonia and Lamoille Counties are now listed as “Substantial,” and as the CDC recommends, we will now move to an indoor mask mandate for all community members — regardless of vaccination status — effective Friday, August 13, 2021 at 5 a.m. If and when county transmission rates go down according to the CDC, we will reevaluate this requirement and notify the community. For the time being, however, masking, vaccination, and other safety measures will help us safely navigate this fully face-to-face fall semester.

Masks will not be required when alone in offices, private residence hall rooms, or other closed rooms. Students with approved exemptions and employees who are not fully vaccinated must also mask outdoors when in a crowd or other setting where social distancing is not possible. Further, NVU will continue its campus visitor vaccination requirement initiated in May in which all campus visitors (now age 12+) with the exception of pre-approved vendors and contractors must be fully vaccinated.

The Vermont State Colleges System requires COVID-19 vaccination of all students enrolled at the residential colleges in the 2021-2022 Academic Year. The vaccination requirement does not apply to students who will not be on the physical campuses for any reason, such as those who are taking classes exclusively online. Students must verify their vaccination by filling out this form NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19Vaccination. You will need to take a photo of both sides of your vaccination card to complete the form. Our goal remains for all members of the NVU community who are able to be vaccinated to get vaccinated. We urge you to make every effort to complete your vaccination as soon as possible.

Masking has become a new norm in the United States as it has been in other countries. It has proven effective to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. To learn more about proper masking, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html.

Stay up to date with COVID-19 guidance and requirements by checking your NVU email frequently and by visiting NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19.

Jonathan Davis
Dean of Students