To help slow the spread of COVID-19, all UTC students, faculty, staff and visitors must wear face masks or face coverings on campus.
Summary:
- Students, faculty and staff are required to wear face masks.
- Face masks are required in many areas and all buildings, including in classrooms.
- The University will provide face masks at the beginning of fall semester.
- Wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing are crucial to slow the spread of COVID-19.
- Face masks must be worn on campus.
Research has repeatedly shown that, in combination with social distancing, wearing face masks or face coverings substantially limits the spread of COVID-19. By wearing a face mask and following social distancing guidance, you will:
- Protect yourself and others, including those at high risk for serious illness
- Reduce your chances of having to self-isolate because of close contact with a person with COVID-19
- Help keep campus open and classes meeting in person by minimizing the number of close contacts
The on-campus experience depends on students, faculty and staff following health and safety measures, of which social distancing and wearing face masks are among the most important. Students, faculty and staff must wear a face covering—a cloth face mask, bandanna, medical mask or gaiter—on campus and follow social distancing guidance.
The University is supplying Power C-branded cloth masks for use by students and employees. These will be distributed to every student and employee before the start of the fall semester.
Where to wear a face mask
- In classrooms
- In elevators
- Outdoors except in situations where you are certain you can stay at least six feet from others in all directions at all times
- Indoors except in isolated spaces such as your private office or room or nonacademic spaces specifically set up for appropriate social distancing where you are certain to maintain at least six feet of physical distance from others in all directions at all times
- On public transportation such as the Mocs Express and while with passengers in University vehicles.
- In any indoor or outdoor situation in which you cannot stay at least six feet from other people at all times or do not have control over someone entering into your six-foot vicinity
Children younger than age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unable to remove a mask without assistance is not required wear a mask or facial covering.
To discuss accommodations for students or employees to the face mask covering requirement due to a medical condition, contact the UTC Disability Resource Center. Visitors should contact the [TBD].
Best practices
- Combine face masks with social distancing.
- Keep a face mask with you and be ready to wear it when needed.
- Avoid stigmatizing the wearing of face masks.
- Cover coughs and sneezes, especially when you’re not wearing a face mask. Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Remember to wash your hands after you remove your face mask.
- Discard used, disposable face masks in the regular trash.
- Launder your cloth face masks regularly.
Requesting face masks for employees
Unit business managers can request face masks for employees within their areas.
Units with existing personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements should acquire general lab and workplace safety PPE through the usual process.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does UTC require every person on campus to wear a face mask?
Yes. All faculty, staff and students are required to wear face masks on campus wherever social distancing is not possible.
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Does UTC provide face masks?
Yes. Face masks have been mailed to all students and given to all employees. A limited supply of disposable face masks will also be available in specific locations.
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Do students have to wear provided masks or can they wear neck gaiters?
Neck gaiters are permitted so long as they meet CDC requirements.
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Is a face mask supposed to be worn in a certain way?
The face mask must cover both nose and mouth. Wash your hands prior to handling the face mask and avoid touching the part of the mask that touches your face. Always wash your hands after touching or removing face masks. Launder the mask daily in hot water with detergent and use a clothes dryer’s hottest setting to dry the mask.
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Will UTC require students to wear face masks off campus so they are not exposed to something they could bring back?
Consistent face mask usage is a very good practice toward not bringing the virus back to students, faculty and staff on campus. Students are strongly encouraged to comply with local city and county mayor recommendations for mask usage.
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How often students should launder their face masks?
All face mask users are instructed to:
- Wash hands prior to handling the face mask
- Avoid touching the portion of the mask that touches the face
- ALWAYS wash hands after touching or removing the face mask
- Launder face masks daily in hot water with detergent and dry thoroughly using the hottest dryer settings
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What if a student forgets to bring a face mask to campus? Is the student still allowed on campus?
Disposable face masks will be available at stations across campus that students can identify by clicking on the “COVID-19 Resources” option for this interactive campus map: https://explore.utc.edu
A limited supply of masks will be available in classrooms, but students who repeatedly forget masks will be contacted about the need for compliance with University policies on mask usage.
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How will face mask wearing requirements work for students? How will they be enforced?
Students must wear face masks that meet CDC guidelines whenever on campus, in buildings and common spaces and wherever social distancing is impossible.
Repeat violations of mask requirements will be addressed through the Office of Student Conduct. Enforcement will be supported by reminders to the campus community of the importance of mask wearing to prevent spread of the virus by way of signage across campus, social media campaigns and other communication.
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Are students who live in campus housing required to wear face masks in their rooms/apartments?
Students’ residence hall apartments and rooms are their homes, and they are not required to wear face masks in their personal living space. Students are expected to wear masks as they walk to and from their residence and whenever appropriate social distancing cannot be maintained.
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Are students required to wear face masks while eating?
No. Students are expected to wear face masks inside any UTC Dining facility and whenever appropriate social distancing cannot be maintained.
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What about students with medical conditions that may make mask wearing for hours at a time difficult?
Students with disability-related concerns regarding the use of a mask should contact the Disability Resource Center to initiate a review for possible accommodations. You can submit a request for review here: https://utc-accommodate.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/
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What action will be taken if a student is reported by another student for not wearing a face mask?
Concerns about students’ use of face masks should be directed to the Office of Student Conduct (OSC). When OSC receives a report, staff will meet with the reported student to address reasons for face mask usage. Those meetings will be documented, and any further violations could result in additional sanctions, up to and including suspension.