Syracuse University Resumes in-Class Mask Mandate as Most of the Country Moves On
“The university stated in an April 1 email that its cases were low, yet it continued to consider itself in the ‘yellow’ category.”
Every day it seems like masks are being dropped somewhere. But not at Syracuse. They’re keeping the liberal dream alive.
The College Fix reports:
Syracuse University resumes in-class mask mandate for everyone
Syracuse University recently reinstated a universal mask mandate during academic instruction for students, faculty and staff.
Starting today, the university shifted to a “blue” rating, requiring students, faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks at all times during academic instruction and “during non-academic events and in certain facilities.” Unvaccinated students are required to wear masks in groups indoors and outdoors.
“We have experienced an increase in new cases and test positivity on campus over the past 10 days,” Vice Chancellor Michael Haynie wrote in a statement. “Given the high vaccination rate among our campus community, the most recent uptick of new cases on campus has not resulted in heightened levels of symptomatic illness among students, staff and faculty.
“That said, given that New York State public health law mandates a five-day isolation period for those who test positive, the surge in new cases and associated class absences has increasingly disrupted the academic experience,” Haynie stated.
Prior to Monday, Syracuse had a “yellow” rating, requiring that individuals who have chosen not to take the COVID vaccines wear masks indoors and outdoors when in groups.
University officials recommended that vaccinated individuals wear masks indoors and outdoors in groups as well, but did not require it.
The university stated in an April 1 email that its cases were low, yet it continued to consider itself in the “yellow” category.
“Based on our most recent testing and case data, our campus community is not experiencing the same surge in transmission and new cases that are being reported elsewhere in [Onondaga County],” the mask update said. “The University’s random surveillance test positivity rate for the most recent seven-day period was 1.2%, as compared to 9% in Onondaga County over the same period.”
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