By, Riley Hickman, Vallo Vision News
(Montevallo, Ala.) – Students at the University of Montevallo no longer have to wear a mask outdoors, regardless of social distancing.
Photograph by Riley Hickman
UM’s mask policy is one of many updates to the COVID-19 operations plan that was issued August 12, 2021.
Dr. John W. Stewart III, University President, announced the University of Montevallo will resume pre-pandemic operations while following the updated plan.
Previous Updates to the Mask Policy
On June 22, 2020, the city of Montevallo passed a resolution that required masks to be worn within the city. The University of Montevallo announced that masks would be required on the campus to remain consistent with this resolution.
All people on campus property were required to wear a mask during the Fall 2020 semester.
The mask policy was first revised on April 6, 2021. This update eliminated mask wearing outdoors when social distancing could be maintained, when walking to classes and when exercising.
On July 26, 2021, the policy was updated again to state masks were “optional indoors and outdoors on the UM campus” with the exception of locations “where UM health-related services are offered, and for all unvaccinated students and employees who work closely with children younger than 12.”
The Current Mask Policy
The most recent, currently practiced mask policy took effect on August 12th, 2021. The policy states:
“The University will temporarily require face coverings for all individuals in the following areas:
- Academic buildings (regardless of social distancing)
- Laboratories and clinics (regardless of social distancing)
- Personal meeting spaces (such as students meeting with faculty and advisors)
- Indoor common areas
- Health-related service offices
- Areas that serve children younger than 12
- During large indoor gatherings on campus
- Other areas marked by official University signage or otherwise clearly communicated by the University
Face masks will not be required in the following situations:
- In residence halls
- When outdoors
- While actively eating or drinking
- While exercising
- Employees alone in their private workspace or automobile
- Faculty teaching as long as 6 feet of social distancing can be maintained”
The current policy has been extended through October 15, 2021.
Many students have conflicted feelings about the updates.
Senior Angela Pollman remembers when the University sent students home in March 2020. “When we got sent home, I was so excited to get an extra week of spring break. Now, I’m just scared. COVID is still here, and all I want is to go back to normal,” Pollman said.
Senior Kensley Sandlin wants the university to be stricter with their policies. “Montevallo was so strict last year … This year it feels like the school is just trying to go back to normal even though COVID still isn’t gone,” Sandlin said.
Sophomore Rainey Tanner says she regrets that she “didn’t have a normal freshman year.” She believes the updated policies are “enough to make us feel safe but still let us feel like we have somewhat of a normal year.”
Some students think masks will be needed for the foreseeable future.
Grace Leverett, a senior majoring in political science, said: “I’ll wear a mask as long as I have to, but I don’t see it ending in the near future because of how saturated hospitals are with COVID patients. I don’t see it going away until hospitals aren’t drowning in COVID.”
Some students feel the policy needs to be extended to outdoor events.
Senior Madi Kirkland says she feels “more comfortable being in a mask indoors, especially when most classrooms aren’t always able to space out. I think the only con to the rules is the inconsideration of outdoor events.”
Kirkland gave the example of Falcon Night, an event held on August 20, 2021 during the university’s Welcome Weekend. “It was packed and everyone wasn’t required to wear masks,” Kirkland said.
Pollman said: “Wearing masks inside is great and all but being told that we don’t have to wear them outside when no one practices social distancing outside is really concerning. COVID doesn’t know the difference between someone standing outside versus someone standing inside.”
After reading the new policy, Pollman questioned “if the university really cared” about the students’ safety. “They should require the same things outside as they do inside the buildings,” Pollman said.
Although some students may disagree on the mask policy as a whole, most are committed to following whatever guidelines the university sets forth.
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