To the Campus Community,

As announced in yesterday’s communication from the COVID Response Team (CRT), the University of Montana (UM) is changing its mask requirement to a recommendation, effective in non-instructional spaces yesterday, and effective in instructional spaces next Thursday, March 3. The reason an extra week has been given for instructional spaces is to allow time for instructors and students to individually prepare going forward.

This change follows direction from the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education to institutions in the Montana University System issued a few weeks ago. Please know that this decision is recommended by our CRT colleagues based on data and clinical expertise. As they communicated yesterday, CRT will continue to monitor the data and make subsequent recommendations.

I hope you will find the information below useful as you consider the implications of the changes in UM’s masking policy.

N95 respirators and microphones available

• According to the CDC, N95 respirators provide a higher level of protection for individuals with higher health risks. These respirators are different than paper or cloth masks, or even the N95 products widely available in shops and online. To be effective, N95 respirators need to be properly fitted. Chuck Emnett in Environmental Health will provide masks to members of the campus community who want them, and is qualified to ensure they fit properly for the highest degree of protection.
• Individuals using N95 respirators may find it hard to be understood while speaking. If you plan to wear a N95 respirator while teaching, microphones are available for your use in the classroom. Please submit a request for audio/video equipment checkout to request a microphone for this purpose.

General guidance

• Please continue in-person teaching, using N95 respirators, microphones, and physical distancing at your discretion.
• Masks will be continue to be required inside Curry Health Center and in clinical environments on campus.
• If you need to change your teaching modality for personal health reasons, you can request an ADA accommodation via Human Resource Services. ADA accommodation only applies to the employee. Please direct questions about ADA accommodation to Michele Wheeler.
• If you are concerned because of potential transmission to an unvaccinated family member, you should work with your chair/director and dean to determine if a telecommuting arrangement is appropriate.
• If approved, in either case (ADA accommodation or telecommuting arrangement) you will need to complete a new telecommuting form and submit it to HRS. The telecommuting agreement requires your chair/director’s and dean’s approval.
• You can encourage your students to seek an ADA accommodation via the Office of Disability Equity (ODE) if they need to change the way they attend class.
• In the instructional environment, faculty can announce that wearing a mask is still recommended by the University. At the same time, choosing to wear a mask is a personal decision. Please respect the choices of others to mask or not to mask as you would want them to respect yours. It is important that students, staff, and faculty do not feel they are at risk of penalization for their choices.
• You can require individuals visiting your private office to wear a mask if you prefer.
• If you decide to record your classes using Zoom or audio while teaching in person, remember to inform your students that the class is being recorded.

Changes throughout the pandemic have caused many of us anxiety and concern. The University provides a variety of mental health resources to employees and I strongly encourage you to use free benefits such as the Employee Assistance Program.

If you have questions about the change from a mask requirement to a mask recommendation in instructional settings, please contact the Office of the Provost at officeoftheprovost@umontana.edu.

Sincerely,

Reed Humphrey, Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs