COVID-19 Update: Mask Requirement

STLCC Faculty and Staff,

It’s important to keep you informed about health and safety efforts at the College related to the pandemic, so please allow us a few moments to share an update.

The St. Louis city and county departments of public health released updated guidance regarding the use of face masks by people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The changes are in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s interim public health recommendations for vaccinated individuals, which were released May 13.

At this time, St. Louis Community College will continue to require masks indoors at all campuses and education centers. Although significant progress has been made in the number of vaccinated people, our student and employee populations include a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. After consulting with local health authorities, we believe this policy helps keep our students and employees safe. We expect that as more members of our community get the vaccine, that we will be able to relax, and eventually eliminate, any mask mandate.

The most effective way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. The College strongly recommends a COVID-19 vaccine.

For those who feel comfortable wearing a mask both indoors and outdoors, you are welcome to do so.

The College has updated its policies on social distancing to allow more students to return to the classroom, so they can receive the educational experience they have come to expect at STLCC. You will see these revisions on the College’s COVID- 19 information page in the coming week. We continue to encourage unvaccinated individuals to social distance to the extent possible but understand that vaccination and mask-wearing are the most effective protections against COVID-19.

The College will evaluate guidance from the CDC, OSHA and the local departments of public health as we have throughout the pandemic. As a college community, we strive to keep your health and safety a priority, as well as follow all protocols outlined in the Safe Return Plan.

I commend all of you for working hard to follow protocols and make adjustments. I appreciate your patience, diligence and dedication to our students as we move through this ever-evolving time.

Sincerely,

Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D.
Chancellor