New Indoor Masking Policy

August 19, 2021

Dear all,

I am writing to let you know that, effective immediately, we will require indoor masking, unless in a private setting, for all students and employees including faculty, regardless of vaccination status.

We will institute this protocol on a temporary basis and re-assess the need for indoor masking the week of September 13, which will allow for us to have completed COVID-19 testing of all students, and for more of the Vassar community to be fully vaccinated.

This decision is consistent with the Public Health Alert published today by the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health.

Specifics include:

• Dining: Students and employees may remove their masks when seated and eating; please mask when moving around Gordon Commons or the Retreat. Grab and go options will be available in the Retreat, Express, meals to go (beginning Sept 4th), and the food truck.
• Residential Life: Students will need to wear their masks when in their dorms, unless they are in their rooms with their roommates or in bathrooms.
• Classrooms: Faculty and students are required to mask in indoor classrooms, labs and performance spaces.
• Meetings/Office spaces: Please mask in shared office spaces, as well as in meetings. We may remove masks when we are alone in a private office. This includes all student meetings and events.

Masks are not required outdoors.

Please keep in mind we are instituting this as a temporary measure, which will be reviewed again the week of September 13. 

In the meantime, keep in mind that it is best to eliminate unnecessary travel and to always wear a mask when in a public setting, regardless of vaccination status. Please request a test from Health Services (health@vassar.edu) if you are symptomatic.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing everyone on campus soon.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
VASSAR COLLEGE
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar