University mask requirement updates

July 28, 2021

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

As I wish you all continued good health and the sincere thought that the summer has been a positive time for you and your families and friends, recent developments on the national and state level regarding COVID-19 have necessitated important new guidance that will be implemented on our campus, effective Friday, July 30.

In accordance with Gov. Steve Sisolak’s announcement on July 27 [External PDF], the State of Nevada is automatically adopting the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance related to mask requirements, therefore:

• The University will be following the mask mandate that regardless of vaccination status, all students, employees, and members of the public must wear masks indoors. This includes all classrooms and laboratories, all work areas inside all campus buildings as well as all residential halls and events taking place inside. Individuals are not required to wear masks if they have individual offices or if they are in their individual rooms in residential halls.
• Students, employees, and members of the public, who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, are also still required to wear face coverings outdoors while on campus, irrespective of whether other individuals are present. For people who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a face-covering is not a choice and remains mandatory.

Why the mask mandate now? Based on the latest CDC data, 12 of Nevada’s 17 counties, including Washoe County, are deemed as having substantial risk of high transmission, thus necessitating the new indoors mask guidance issued by the CDC, as well as the adoption of the guidance by Gov. Sisolak and Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Melody Rose for all NSHE campuses [External PDF].

The mandate for our University includes classrooms and classes that are already in session this summer. Instructors should implement the mandate for their classes starting Friday. It is important to note that the new mandate will not only provide Washoe County with a needed tool in lowering test positivity and transmission rates in our community, it enables us to continue our in-person operations, including work and instruction.

While we adhere to the new mask mandate, it is also imperative that individuals who are not yet vaccinated seek vaccination as soon as possible. The University continues to provide free vaccinations as well as COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff through our Student Health Center. Given that the mask mandate will be in place until further notice from Gov. Sisolak, a high vaccination rate on our campus will help in the community-wide effort to lower test positivity and transmission rates. Please consider doing your part in receiving a vaccination not only for your own health, but for the health of your family, friends and colleagues. The University Community is encouraged to find the latest COVID-19 updates via the “Protect the Pack” website.

Mask wearing has been shown to be an effective tool in keeping people safe throughout the pandemic. As we mask up, let’s remember the high degree of cooperation and strong sense of working together for the common good that characterized our mask wearing on campus during the past academic year. This is not new territory for our campus. Working together and understanding that there are effective ways such as receiving a vaccination and wearing masks, ensures that we are doing our part to keep all of the members of the Wolf Pack Family safe.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President