JSU Mandates Mask Coverings

August 6, 2021
Lee Evancho

Last week JSU sent an email out to all staff and students confirming that masks were highly recommend, but not required. On August 6th they sent an another email updating their policies and requiring masks regardless of vaccination status. This update will apply to all individuals indoor at any JSU facility. The reason for the change was credited to the CDC’s recent change in mask recommendation. There has been no change to the State of Alabama’s mask mandate. The full email is below.

Official Email

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Jacksonville State University will require face coverings, beginning Monday, August 9, 2021. This temporary requirement applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status, and is designed to keep us safely operating in person and on campus as we begin the fall semester.

Given the revised CDC guidance, increases in COVID variant cases in our area, increases in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and the state reporting several days of double digit deaths from COVID-19, we have come to this difficult decision. JSU will continuously monitor these conditions in our region, and our mitigation measure will be reevaluated on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, unless we see a marked improvement to remove the mask mandate prior.

The policy mandates the use of face coverings or masks when insideuniversity buildings, and applies to all students, faculty, staff, contractors, and campus visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

With this new requirement, masks must be worn:

In classrooms and classroom buildings, regardless of distancing
In personal meeting spaces, such as meetings with faculty and advisors
On campus sanctioned transportation
Other indoor common spaces

Exceptions include:

When alone in offices and private workspaces
When eating or drinking inside campus dining facilities
When participating in activities of physical exercise

Thank you for helping us keep our campus community safe.

Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr.
President