Spalding President Tori Murden McClure said the following message to students on Friday, July 30, 2021:
Dear Spalding Students,
I hope you are having a great summer. We miss seeing you on campus and can’t wait to have you back in just a few weeks.
As we prepare campus for everyone’s safe return, it is clear that the Delta variant of the coronavirus has led to a significant rise in positive cases of COVID-19 locally and nationally, and it is proof that this pandemic continues to present significant challenges.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Spalding has prioritized the health and safety of our campus community and adjusted our practices as needed to protect our faculty, staff and students. The current risk of the Delta variant requires action on our part.
Effective Monday, Aug. 2, face coverings will once again be REQUIRED on campus in indoor settings for ALL individuals, regardless of vaccination status. This includes students, faculty, staff and visitors. The only exceptions will be when individuals are alone in their private offices or residence-hall rooms or while eating in the College Street Café or a campus lounge/breakroom.
I hope and foresee this mask requirement to be a temporary measure. But at this time, a mask requirement for everyone is an easy step that will provide consistency, clarity and, most importantly, protection for the campus community during a critical moment in the pandemic. The amazing cooperation and masking compliance we achieved last academic year were undoubtedly key contributors to our low number of positive cases on campus.
Thankfully, we all have safe, free, easy access to a powerful safeguard against infection and severe illness: the COVID-19 vaccines. About 97 percent of people in the country who are hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated, Spalding strongly encourages you to get your shots now in order to be fully vaccinated by the time fall classes start on Aug. 23.
The health and safety of our community will remain our top priority, and we will continue to adjust as needed to keep everyone safe.
From now until your return to campus, have fun, stay safe, wear a mask, and, if you have not already, please get vaccinated. We miss you, we are proud of you, and we will see you soon.
Thank you,
Tori
Tori Murden McClure,
Spalding University President