Grinnell College issued the following announcement on November 04.
Dear Grinnellians,
We write today with updates to our modified blue level, activities, and mask requirements. Our high vaccination rates and low number of cases on campus, availability of boosters, and growing evidence of limited transmission between vaccinated people support these changes. We look forward to the further connection and community these changes permit.
Changes Effective Nov. 8, 2021:
PPE:
- Masks are required in all classrooms, classes (including co-curricular offerings such as PE, music, and theatre), gatherings of more than 15 people, meetings and events that include visitors to campus, or as posted for a given space or activity.
- Masks are optional in all other settings that include only campus community members and are less than 15 people.
- Visitors are required to wear masks when indoors unless they are participating in an activity pre-approved by the proposal review committee to be held mask optional.
- Anyone is welcome to wear a mask in any setting.
- Students may eat together in campus spaces including academic buildings, except in classrooms between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Food may be served at large student-only events, but if there are more than 15 attendees masks must be worn when not actively eating or drinking.
- The dining hall will remain a student only space.
- Students planning an event should coordinate with SGA and Student Affairs as needed.
- Faculty, staff, and students may dine inside together in groups of 15 or less in closed spaces. Mandatory attendance at meetings or events that serve food are prohibited. Participants must be allowed to opt-out
- In limited cases dining with visitors in groups of 15 or fewer may be approved. Please contact the proposal review committee prior to the event.
- Meetings may occur indoors and in-person. Providing an option for online participation is still encouraged.
- Faculty and staff may now gather with students in common spaces in residence halls and houses.
Bear Athletic Center and Athletic Events
Mask policies remain unchanged in the Bear. Masking remains required for all spectators at indoor venues. Spectators and all participants except those actively competing must wear a mask. Team training and competitions will follow mitigation practices as laid out by the NCAA and Midwest Conference.
Travel: International and domestic college-sponsored travel is allowed as outlined in the college-sponsored travel policies for Fall 2021. Please continue to be cautious when considering travel. We recommend viewing the CDC transmission estimates and COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for your destination prior to travel. College-sponsored international travel must be submitted to the Global Health and Safety Committee for review. Domestic travelers are strongly encouraged to register their travel in order to receive state-specific COVID-19 resources.
Safety and Community
Our public health team will continue to monitor and review several factors to determine campus and institutional activity levels. There may be times when increased precautions could become necessary again. If that happens you will receive an email with additional information.
We continue to encourage masking off campus in indoor settings.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out via email at coxheath@grinnell.edu.
Thank you,
Heather Cox, Angela Voos, Ben Newhouse, Elaine Marzluff, Jana Grimes
Original source can be found here.
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