Updated classroom masking guidance

Summary: New campus-wide masking guidance goes into effect on September 26, 2022. This guidance includes a new policy on masking in classrooms and instructional spaces. Effective September 26, 2022, masking in classrooms and instructional spaces will no longer be mandatory. However, any leader of a class meeting or section may require masking as a condition for participation.

To: FAS and SEAS Faculty
cc: FAS Dean’s Office, FAS Steering, GSAS Dean’s Office, SEAS Dean’s Office, Yale College Dean’s Office; FAS and SEAS Lead Administrators, Operations Managers, and Chair’s Assistants

Dear colleagues,

As you learned from the message sent earlier today by Stephanie Spangler, a new campus-wide masking policy will go into effect on September 26, 2022.This policy includes the following new guidance on masking in classrooms:

• Effective September 26, 2022, masking will no longer be mandatory in classrooms and other instructional spaces, unless the instructor opts to require masking.
• Individual instructors are permitted to continue to require masking in their classrooms or instructional spaces.  

This policy applies university-wide and covers all courses taught in Yale College, GSAS and the professional schools.  

Until the 26th, masks will continue to be required in classrooms and instructional spaces. Beginning on the 26th, any instructor, convenor, or leader of a class, section, or meeting may require masking as a condition for participation. If you opt to require masking in your course, you may enforce this requirement by asking any student who is not wearing a mask to leave the classroom. The university will continue to make high-quality masks available for students, faculty, and staff who need them.

Below, you will find a copy of a message that Yale College has sent to all undergraduate students outlining the new masking guidance.

If you have questions about this new policy, or if you need guidance on enforcing mask-wearing in your class, please contact the university-wide COVID-19 Review Team.

Best wishes,

Tamar, Pericles, Lynn, and Jeff

Message to Yale College Students

September 20, 2022

Dear students,  

As you learned from today’s message from Stephanie Spangler, masking from September 26 onward will be optional, with certain exceptions,  in most spaces on campus. Although those spaces include classrooms, individual instructors may require masking in their classes. Please honor your instructors’ guidance and the masking requirements of hosts of certain events.  

Unchanged is the policy about masks when you are:  

• visiting health care settings, such as Yale Health and Yale Medicine clinics;  
• experiencing symptoms;
• testing positive for COVID-19 and subject to COVID-19 isolation protocols;
• identified as a close contact of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19;
• required by state or local agencies.

Remember that symptomatic and asymptomatic PCR COVID-19 testing is now available through the Yale COVID-19 Testing Program. Remember also that new bivalent vaccine boosters are now available. You can schedule a vaccine booster appointment through the Yale Program. Boosters are also available at clinics and pharmacies around the state.

Keep in mind that university health and safety policies, including mask requirements, may be modified if public health conditions change.

Sincerely,

Julie Sweigard
Health and Safety Leader, Yale College
Director of Administrative Affairs, Yale College