Missouri State University-West Plains will require faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear masks within all academic buildings during the beginning of the spring semester.
The university announced new masking guidance on Jan. 12, following an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Howell County.
The university’s new masking policy will go into effect Tuesday.
According to the university, individuals must wear masks covering their mouth and nose in all university academic buildings on the West Plains and Mountain Grove campuses.
The buildings include Lybyer Technology Center, Melton Hall, Looney Hall, Hass-Darr Hall, Garnett Library, John Hall, Shannon Hall and the Great Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology.
The university will not require individuals to wear masks when actively eating or drinking in the Carol Silvey Student Union in Hass-Darr Hall or the lower-level lobby of the Lybyer Technology Center.
Masks will also not be required while students are welding in the welding lab at the GOCAT facility or when employees are in their own private offices within their department suites.
Missouri State University-West Plains will have signage posted if masks are required at certain activities and events.
Types of masks accepted
Individuals can satisfy the requirements of the university’s mask policy by wearing washable cloth face coverings or other disposable masks.
The university will also have N95 or KN95 masks available for full-time and part-time employees.
Face coverings or masks that are made of mesh or that have open exhalation vents or holes will not meet the requirements of the university’s mask policy.
Individuals who cannot wear a mask due to an underlying disability may initiate the university’s interactive accommodations process to request a “reasonable accommodation” to the masking requirements.
Students who want to request an accommodation can contact the disability support officer in Hass-Darr, Room 106, by emailing PTate@missouristate.edu or by calling 417-255-8062. Employees should email JuliaHolmes@MissouriState.edu or call 417-836-6755.
Missouri State University-West Plains said students who have not been granted an accommodation and refuse to wear a mask while in the classroom or other academic settings would be subject to administrative withdrawal consistent with the academic policy for class disruption.
Students who fail to comply with the university’s mask policy outside of the classroom or other academic settings will also be subject to disciplinary action consistent with the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
