Local colleges and universities have announced their masking policies ahead of the upcoming fall semester.
Missouri State, Drury and OTC will require masks indoors with some exceptions and will revisit the policies every 30 days.
Evangel’s policy is that masks are optional.
Below is more information specific to each school
Missouri State
The policy does not apply to the Greenwood Laboratory School or the Child Development Center.
While masks are required to be worn in all buildings on campus, they are not required in the following circumstances:
- While eating in a dining hall (including the Plaster Student Union food court, or the Union Club, the Meyer Library food court and the Glass Hall food court);
- While inside residential rooms within the residence halls;
- While inside apartments located within university apartment buildings;
- While exercising at indoor campus exercise facilities in designated exercise areas, including at Foster Recreation Center, Hammons Student Center, Plaster Stadium, or McDonald Hall; or
- For speakers or performers, when speaking or performing from a speaking platform that allows for a minimum physical distance of at least 20 feet between the speaker/performer and the audience, in forums such as Hammons Student Center, Juanita K. Hammons Hall, JQH Arena or the Plaster Student Union Theatre (Note: this exception does not include faculty members or their guests who are lecturing in the classroom).
Masks may also be required to be worn at certain university activities or events that present a higher risk of transmission and/or where physical distancing of at least six feet is not feasible. In such instances, signage will be posted communicating applicable masking requirements.
Masking will not be required outdoors.
Drury
Masks will be required in classrooms and indoor gatherings where social distancing is not possible. Masks will not be required in residence halls, dining hall, individual offices and work spaces, or in areas that allow for social distancing. This policy will be reevaluated every 30 days for revision based on local COVID-19 conditions and the campus vaccination rate.
Evangel
Masking is optional at this time.
OTC
Following consultation with local health officials, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 10, all students, employees, and visitors to Ozarks Technical Community College must wear a mask inside all OTC buildings. The mask must cover the nose and mouth and may only be removed while eating and drinking or inside a private office space. The masking requirement will be evaluated every 30 days.
