An awakened liberal arts college has introduced a new mask policy that requires all students in a class to wear face masks as long as a single person requests it.
Under the new policy at Amherst College in Massachusetts, each student would be given an anonymous survey to give their opinion on whether they would like a mask mandate in their classroom.
It is being enforced by Catherine Epstein, provost and faculty dean at the Massachusetts School, who wrote to her colleagues on September 29 that the new policy will go into effect on October 17.
At this point, she wrote, classrooms, instructional labs and all other classrooms “are either required to continue to be masked or are optional, depending on the outcome of an anonymous survey conducted in each classroom or lab.
“Before October 17, faculty members will conduct an anonymous survey of their classes by collecting either handwritten (no names!) responses to the question ‘Should masks be required in this class?’ or by handing out a poll,” she explained.
“If anyone in the class, including the teacher, wants to continue masking, masks are required,” Epstein wrote. “Additionally, even those classes that specify that masks are optional respect an individual’s choice to wear a mask.”
She added that “faculty are encouraged to reconsider the decision with another survey in early November,” stressing that after the Thanksgiving break, “the college will require a stricter masking protocol for a reasonable period of time.”
Catherine Epstein, provost and faculty dean at Amherst College, wrote to her colleagues on Sept. 29 about the school’s new masking policy
She wrote that under the new policy, each student would receive an anonymous poll where they could give their opinion on whether they would like a mask mandate in their classroom. But if only one student or professor wants a mask, it will be needed for the entire class
Still, the new policy is a significant change from the schools’ policy from just a month ago, which required all students to wear a KN95 mask in classrooms, studios, teaching labs and all other classrooms.
It’s unclear what prompted administrators to change the policy as COVID cases continue to fall across the country.
As of Sept. 27, Massachusetts had 9,047 new confirmed cases, with just 245 people hospitalized mostly for the virus.
And across the country, COVID cases have been steadily declining to 45,725 new cases through Friday, with 3,570 new hospital admissions and just 325 new COVID-related deaths.
has reached out to the school for comment.
The new policy is a significant change from the school policy just a month ago, which required all students to wear a KN95 mask in classrooms, studios, teaching labs and all other classrooms
Amherst has become known for its strict masking policies in recent years.
Ahead of the fall 2021 semester, the college announced that it had tightened its public health precautions as the Delta variant continued to spread.
Under his policy at the time, all staff, faculty, and students inside campus buildings were required to wear face coverings — regardless of vaccination status.
Students were also required to double-mask if they did not have a KN95 at the time.
However, the new guidelines issued shortly before the start of the semester prompted some students to write an open letter to the administration.
In the letter, the Amherst Student reports, more than 250 students at the school urged the school administration to be more transparent about the decision-making process, to consider student participation and to lift some of the new restrictions.
“This updated set of guidelines does not appear to be consistent with current CDC, state, local and peer institution standards for responding to COVID-19, and we request revision and clarification,” the letter reads.
“It’s difficult right now to believe that Amherst remains committed to our full student experience, and difficult to recapture the typical enthusiasm that comes with returning to campus each fall.”
Amherst College (pictured) has become known for its strict masking policies
Then in March, when many schools across the country began lifting COVID restrictions due to declining numbers, the college required a KN95 mask to be worn in all indoor, public and public spaces.
“Masks are optional for students in their residence halls, except during programmed events,” Amherst’s policy at the time said.
“KN95 masks are still required in all other indoor spaces on campus except when you are alone in a private office with the door closed,” it said, adding that students are asked to “have a mask on hand, although outdoors.” no masks are required.
“Whether indoors or outdoors, we encourage everyone to share their masking preferences and to respect each other’s wishes,” it said at the time.