Because COVID-19 is spread through droplets when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes, one of the most important tools we have in this fight are face coverings.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Update
The CDC has released new research and announced new face coverings guidelines that include wearing well-fitting face coverings and layered face coverings to help curb the spread of COVID-19 — in laboratory tests, this combination reduced exposure by about 95%.
“Well-fitting” includes face coverings with a nose wire and adjustable ear loops.
“Layered” includes face coverings with multiple layers of fabric. “Layered” can also include wearing a cloth face covering over a disposable one.
The new washable, reusable face coverings that are being distributed to students, faculty and staff meet these requirements.
App State requirements
- Everyone is required to wear face coverings that cover the mouth and nose in all campus buildings, including hallways, conference and meeting rooms, multi-person workstations, elevators, stairwells, restrooms and kitchens, regardless of whether social distancing can be maintained and guaranteed.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times, regardless of distancing, in classrooms and all instructional areas.
- Examples of acceptable face coverings include cloth face coverings - such as those being distributed to all students, faculty and staff - surgical masks and bandanas that cover the nose and mouth. If you have questions, email safety@appstate.edu.
- Everyone is required to carry a face covering at all times while on campus, in case they encounter an unforeseen situation where at least 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.
- You are not required to wear a face covering when you are working alone in an enclosed indoor space, such as offices or study rooms, as long as you remain alone. This does not apply to indoor spaces that are frequently entered by other individuals.
- You are not required to wear a face covering in private living spaces within residential halls, but the policy does apply to common areas such as lobbies.
- You may temporarily remove your face covering while drinking or eating at a dining room table in a university dining facility or other area designated for dining. Eating and drinking in common areas in residence halls is not permitted.
- Read the policy in full here.
We are relying on members of our community to adhere to these standards, but when necessary, we also will enforce these behaviors. This will include asking students who do not have a face covering to leave the classroom, campus building or other venue and only return when they have a face covering. Students who continue to violate this policy may be subject to further action per the Code of Student Conduct. Similarly, employees who do not wear a face covering may be subject to disciplinary action based on our policies regarding employee performance and behaviors in the workplace.
- Students who seek a modification to this policy due to a medical condition should contact the Office of Disability Resources.
- Employees with a similar request should complete the "High Risk Identification Form" found here. Accommodations may be made on a case by case basis to facilitate teaching and learning in specific environments.
Distribution of face coverings
During the Spring 2021 semester, each student, faculty and staff member will receive five new, washable, reusable face coverings. These face coverings feature adjustable ear loops and three-ply construction with a middle-layer filter. Email safety@appstate.edu with questions.
For the Spring 2021 semester:
-
Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management (EHS&EM) is managing distribution to faculty and staff. Departmental administrators were issued information for spring distribution of both reusable and disposable face coverings via email.
-
EHS&EM is working with the Division of Student Affairs to coordinate distribution to students.
-
Students who live on campus will receive their five new face coverings when they check in to their residence hall during move-in.
-
Many students who live locally off campus received theirs through their property management offices.
-
App State’s Online & Transfer Services and the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies are in the process of mailing new face coverings to students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate App State Online programs.
-
-
If you have not received your new face coverings:
-
Faculty and staff should first contact their department administrator if they have not yet received new face coverings.
-
Students, faculty and staff can pick up new face coverings at the Parking and Transportation Office on campus at the Rivers Street Parking Deck.
-
Students, faculty and staff can pick up new face coverings in the Plemmons Student Union (PSU) at the Information Desk, across from Cascades Cafe, during regular business hours. Face coverings will be available all semester from this location.
-
- NCDHHS recommends discarding face coverings that no longer cover the nose and mouth and/or will not stay on your face, have stretched out, have damaged ties or straps, and/or have holes or tears in the fabric. Review the NCDHHS Frequently Asked Questions on Cloth Face Coverings PDF for more information.
In the Fall 2020 semester:
- Each student, faculty and staff member received three, washable, reusable face coverings. These were distributed in a variety of ways:
- EHS&EM distributed more than 92,000 reusable face coverings to students, faculty and staff.
- Residential students received their face coverings at check-in during their assigned move-in appointment.
- Online students received them by mail.
- Student Affairs partnered with many off-campus apartment complexes to distribute face coverings to students living off campus.
- Wellness and Prevention Services had several pickup locations on campus throughout the semester.
- Parking & Transportation assisted with distribution to off-campus students picking up parking passes.
- Disposable face coverings were also provided to academic departments and other departments as needed, and placed in campus vending machines.
Faculty and staff with questions about face coverings should contact their departmental administrator — students, faculty and staff can also email safety@appstate.edu.
If I forgot my face covering, what should I do?
- Reusable face coverings are available for purchase at the University Bookstore and 10-packs of disposable face masks are available for purchase at the Markets, located in Appalachian Panhellenic Hall, Trivette Hall and the University Bookstore.
- Snack vending machines across campus are stocked with 2-packs of disposable masks. Vending machines are also stocked with small bottles of hand sanitizer.
- Campus departments also have a limited supply of disposable masks available upon request.