June 8, 2021: Vaccinated Spartans can go without masks indoors and out
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
I am heartened to share that following our comprehensive review of the updated Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration emergency rules, as well as the current Gatherings and Face Mask Order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, MSU has updated its Community Compact and COVID-19 health and safety directives.
Effective tomorrow, June 9, fully vaccinated individuals (at least two weeks since your final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine) can enter indoor spaces on campus or property governed by MSU without a face mask, except when you are in a health care setting where patients may be present. This updated directive applies to all students, faculty, staff and guests.
In agreement with the state's orders, MSU will ask faculty, staff, students and guests — including contractors and vendors — to self-verify their vaccination status before coming to campus each day using the university’s daily health screening form. The university also reserves the right to request further documentation of an individual’s vaccination status if necessary. For employees, once you submit your form, your supervisor will be informed of your response to this question.
Those who are not vaccinated or decline to answer the vaccination status question must continue wearing a face mask indoors and physically distance from others, with limited exceptions.
While this is welcome news for many of us, and further highlights the importance and benefits of getting vaccinated when you can, it’s understandable that some members of our Spartan community may wish to continue wearing a mask even after being fully vaccinated. After more than a year of living in a pandemic, some may feel safer with a face covering. As we have from the beginning of this pandemic, we must treat one another with empathy and respect, and I trust each of you to continue doing just that.
If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to get your COVID-19 vaccine soon. It is the best way to return to normal, and I know many of us want those typical college experiences, together, in the fall.
To that end, MSU continues to make progress on plans for return to business locations and for welcoming many of us back together on campus this fall. Information is being shared with unit and college leaders this week and employees are expected to receive direction from their respective unit and college leaders in the coming days and weeks.
For more information on our updated community compact, safety directives and returning to business location plans, continue to visit the Together We Will website.
Stay safe and healthy,
Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. (he/him)
President