Dear UVM Community,

We are pleased to announce that effective Saturday, March 19, 2022, masks will be optional in all indoor locations at UVM.

From the beginning of the pandemic, we have steadfastly followed the guidance and recommendations of medical and public health professionals. This has been one of the core elements of the University’s remarkable success—the other being your dedication and commitment. There are several factors that allow the University to make the decision to move to a mask-optional approach at this time:

  • 100% of eligible students are fully vaccinated and boosted.

  • 100% of employees are compliant with the vaccine policy and nearly 70% have voluntarily reported receiving a booster.

  • COVID-19 PCR testing remains available for all members of our community, and we have a significant supply of rapid home antigen tests that we will be making available free to faculty, staff and students shortly.

  • Vermont continues to see low hospitalization and ICU rates and the State has ample access to both monoclonal antibody treatments and antiviral drugs.

All the information we have reviewed supports our transition to a mask-optional campus. As we have throughout the pandemic, we will continue to monitor the situation and if warranted make appropriate changes.

To our students: we congratulate you and celebrate your success.  It is because of you—your hard work, perseverance, and commitment—that we are able to make this change.  You have been amazing. Every time more was asked of you, you came through. We know it has been challenging. You showed why Catamounts are so great!

To our staff: you have been stalwarts from the start of the pandemic. Many of you did not have the option to work remotely because of the nature of your work. But you came in and continued to keep UVM running. Some of you were providing critical services such as Student Health Services, Physical Plant, Custodial Services, Residential Life, University Dining, and others. Others transitioned to remote work and created new and different ways to deliver the services essential to sustain UVM’s operations. You faced the challenge and succeeded. We all became experts at Microsoft Teams, and we learned to say repeatedly to our colleagues “you are on mute”! Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our university.

And to our faculty: central to UVM’s success over the past two years has been the sustained excellence in our teaching and research. Your commitment to maintaining the high-quality educational experience for our students has been exceptional. You developed new and innovative ways to teach classes and conduct your research. You continued your outstanding scholarship that is a hallmark of UVM in spite of the challenges. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our university.

We recognize there are members of our community who, for a number of reasons, will feel more comfortable wearing a mask in different situations. Please respect their decision. The UVM community has demonstrated an exceptional level of care, compassion, and respect throughout the pandemic. We know that will continue.

All members of the community should keep masks accessible, as there are times and places in which it will be necessary to mask. Masks are required at Student Health Services including at the symptomatic testing location at Jeanne Mance. You must wear a mask when riding on any UVM bus or other public transportation, as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration has a mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks that extends until at least April 18, 2022. Clinical and internship sites, including UVMMC, may have specific mask requirements which supersede UVM’s mask policy. We will continue to update these masking requirements as federal and state guidance changes and in consultation with our medical and public health experts.

As we transition to the endemic phase and move away from requirements or mandates, personal responsibility will play an increased role. Individually, we will have to make decisions based on our particular circumstances. We encourage you to continue taking advantage of testing on campus, especially if you have symptoms. Wear masks when you want to make sure you are safe. If you need new KN95 masks, stop by the Testing Center in the Davis Center and pick up two new masks. If you have symptoms, stay home—do not come to work or go to classes. Students, faculty and staff should contact Student Health Services (656-3350) and arrange to get tested.

The shared sense of responsibility in our UVM community over the past two years has been impressive and inspiring. It is the reason we can move forward as a mask-optional campus with confidence. From the bottom of our hearts, we give you our profound appreciation and immense gratitude. It will be great to see your smiles again!

Warmly,

Patricia A. Prelock, Provost and Senior Vice President
Gary Derr, Vice President for Operations and Public Safety