Major Updates to On-Campus Mask, Guest and Security Policies

Photo by Olivia Slack

The Executive Leadership Team sent an email through the COVID Updates account to the Meredith community on March 2 announcing updates to mask, security and guest policies. Below are the highlights from the email sent to the campus.

Masks will be considered optional indoors starting on March 4 at 5 p.m. with the exception of “classrooms, clinical spaces such as Carroll Hall and athletic training rooms, designated spaces in the Learning Center and childcare facilities.” Masks will also no longer be required in the Lowery Fitness Center on campus.

The email also stated that “provided COVID metrics continue to improve, [the College] expect[s] to move to mask optional in most classrooms at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 21.” Employees can still ask students to wear masks in private offices and “can designate the mask-wearing preference in their private offices through a door sign” provided by the Marketing Department.

Regarding security on campus, the email stated, “The Faircloth gate will reopen on Friday at 5 p.m. and return to normal opening/closing hours, which are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.” While daily completion of CampusClear is still required so Student Health can monitor data from it, security officers at the front gate will no longer be checking the app.

The on-campus guest policy is scheduled to return to its original terms for the Oaks Apartments on March 21 and for residence halls on March 24. The guest policy can be found on the Residence Life website.

Meredith’s vaccination requirement will remain in place. The email reiterated that “Meredith requires COVID-19 vaccination and is strongly recommending boosters.” Routine testing for those required to do so will continue.

To read the most updated community standards on campus at Meredith, visit the Staying Strong website.

Update: Administration has confirmed that the on-campus COVID-19 testing center will require masks, as it is an extension of the Health Center.

By Freya Dahlgren, Opinion Editor