Local Colleges Requiring Masks On Campus This Fall

Two local colleges — East Central College and Missouri S&T — will require students, faculty and staff to wear masks or face coverings on campus this fall as a means of slowing the COVID-19 spread.

ECC will require the covering at its home campus in Union and satellite campuses in Rolla.

The measures come as in-person classes are expected to resume. The fall semester begins at both colleges on Monday, Aug. 24.

Missouri S&T instituted the requirement on July 1.

Colleges across the state are instituting mask requirements, which are part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for higher education.

“Consistent and widespread use of masks helps ensure the safest environment for those on campus,” said Dr. Jon Bauer, president of ECC, in a press release. “While county and city requirements vary throughout the college’s district and service region, it is the responsibility of ECC to adopt and enforce measures most appropriate for the health and safety of those in its facilities.”

Dr. Dennis Goodman, Missouri S&T’s director of student health and chief medical officer, recommended the guidelines on face coverings based on the latest science on the coronavirus. 

“The research is showing that airborne transmission of COVID-19 has been responsible for most of the virus’ spread,” Dr. Goodman says. “Implementing a combination of strategies including six-foot distancing, face covering, contact tracing and isolating positive cases will be our best approach to suppressing the virus.”

Missouri S&T is asking students to bring “three to five” reusable cloth face coverings with them to campus. 

ECC says that students may bring their own masks, but free usable ones will be provided that contain the school’s logo.

They will be distributed to students at the beginning of the semester.

If ECC students choose not to wear a mask, they will have the option of modifying their schedule to take remote classes. 

Using a mask is a condition of employment for staff members.

Missouri S&T is requiring campus visitors to cover their faces. Visit sponsors will educate them about the mitigation of spreading the virus.

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