Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
We hope everyone has had a safe and relaxing spring break and we look forward to welcoming you back to campus on Monday.
In our February COVID communication, we had indicated that we would revisit our campus policies over spring break to see where we currently stand in regards to community transmission.
While we have used transmission rates as a benchmark in the past, the CDC and Lewis & Clark Public Health now utilize a new Community Level tool which provides guidance based on a wider variety of data points including recent case counts, weekly hospital admissions, and current hospital bed occupancy. Based on these metrics, as of March 11, Lewis & Clark County is now at the “low” level for precautions.
The county’s guidance for precautions at this level include:
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
Get tested if you have symptoms
In light of this new guidance and in consultation with Drenda Niemann, Lewis and Clark County Public Health Officer, the Cabinet made the decision that beginning Monday, March 21, Carroll will be moving to a mask optional environment in instructional spaces and in meetings with faculty and staff. There may be some exceptions to this policy and those details will be communicated when they are finalized.
The reason for the March 21 start date is in recognition that members of our community are returning from many different locations following spring break and we want to mitigate any potential outbreaks due to travel. Also, the timing allows for the implementation of any necessary policy exceptions.
Carroll will have KN/N95 masks available for faculty, staff, and students. Individuals can acquire up to two (2) masks at the reception desk in O’Connell Hall, while supplies last.
Anyone with symptoms, a positive COVID test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask and continue to follow our existing protocols as outlined on the Marching Forward website.
Please recognize that students, faculty, and staff may choose and are welcome to personally continue wearing masks for any reason. Please continue to respect each person’s circumstances.
We are encouraged by these new metrics but remain vigilant. We are very appreciative of everyone’s efforts to keep our campus as safe and healthy as possible throughout this academic year.
Welcome back!
The Marching Forward Team