As of Monday, masks will no longer be required on the Bowling Green State University campus.
According to a letter sent Saturday by BGSU President Rodney Rogers and Chief Health and Wellness Officer Ben Batey, the decision was made based on changing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. Now if a county is at a medium or low level of risk for transmission of COVID-19 “universal indoor masking is no longer recommended as a public health practice, including in classrooms and residence halls.”
Wood County is at a medium risk level while Erie County, where the Firelands campus is located, is at a low level.
The letter reiterates that individuals may choose to continue to wear masks. “Everyone is encouraged to continue to stay updated on their COVID-19 vaccinations and get tested if experiencing symptoms,” the letter says. “If you are high-risk for severe illness, please connect with your health care provider about whether you need to wear a face covering and take other precautions.”
A memo sent today (Sunday, Feb. 27) from the Faculty Association to members states that Rogers and Provost Joe Whitehead have told the deans “to implement an exception policy for the lifting of the mask mandate in classrooms.”
Those decisions, the memo says, will be made by the dean of the college. Faculty members who wish to maintain masking in their classrooms were urged to contact their department chair or school director “now” to get the process started.
The letter from Rogers and Batey concludes: “COVID-19 continues to be a journey. We have heard from every side of every argument, from current students, faculty and staff to our parents and families, alumni and community members. Their perspectives have certainly kept us grounded, but we always came back to a balanced approach. Like we have done throughout the past two years, we ask you to be flexible and adaptable, be kind and have common respect for those who choose or do not choose to wear a face covering. We will continue – we must continue – to find a way forward, together.”
