Dimitri Napoleon
Ball State University is expected to update its guidance regarding its mask mandate.
In an email addressed to university students, staff and faculty, President Geoffrey Mearns stated that effective Friday, March 4, 2022, at 5 p.m., masks will no longer be required inside campus buildings and vehicles.
Mearns cited fewer infections in the campus community along with high vaccination rates among the university’s students as justification for dropping the mask mandate.
“Throughout the pandemic, our university’s protocols have been informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a team of local public health experts,” said Mearns. “Our protocols have also been informed by the specific data on our campus, including the incidence of new infections among the members of our campus community.”
Mearns also emphasized continued responsibility and respect.
“…I ask that you respect anyone who chooses to wear a mask, irrespective of that person’s reason for doing so.”
The Ball State University president also noted that those who are not vaccinated, have a high risk of becoming ill and/or are currently infected should continue to wear a mask in public.
Ball State will resume administering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters on March 15 and March 16. Testing will also be offered.
