02/28/2022
By Steve O’Riordan

After nearly two years of seeing only the eyes of our friends and colleagues when we met them in person, starting today face coverings are optional at UMass Lowell.

There’s no doubt there is a wide spectrum of opinions on the topic across the university and I wanted to write to reiterate the words of Chancellor Moloney from her Feb. 18 message: Please be kind to those who make a choice that may differ from yours.

Everyone is doing their best to manage the pandemic’s impact on their lives as best they can and through vaccines and high-quality masks, we have the tools to enable individuals to protect themselves as they see fit.

UMass Lowell’s decision is in line with recent updates to masking recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. And as we have throughout the pandemic, UMass Lowell will continue to adjust our policies as needed.

UMass Lowell recognizes that some students and employees may need additional support during the pandemic and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all eligible employees. If you wish to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Equal Opportunity and Outreach at 978-934-3565.

While face coverings are optional, other COVID-19 risk-reduction efforts remain in place. UMass Lowell has a high campus community vaccination rate and mandatory booster requirement for our students and employees. Every campus member is still expected to conduct daily symptom checks and to stay home or in your residence hall room if symptomatic. Weekly surveillance testing continues for those who have been granted a vaccine exemption.