Public Health Safety Requirements – COVID-19
To minimize the inherent risks associated with COVID-19 and assist in the successful maintenance of campus operations.
Faculty, staff, students, affiliates, and visitors (including vendors and volunteers).
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. To reduce the inherent risks presented by the virus and the impact of COVID-19 outbreak conditions, all members and visitors of the University of Kansas community must follow the health and safety protocols listed below.
When present on campus, all faculty, staff, students, affiliates, visitors (ages two years and older), vendors, and volunteers – including those who are fully vaccinated – must:
- Wear a cloth face covering, surgical/medical face mask, or Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) suit over one's mouth and nose when on public transportation and in indoor common areas (as defined below) anywhere on campus.
- Except while in classrooms, face coverings/masks/PAPR suits may be removed for brief periods for the purpose of eating or drinking.
- Face coverings/masks must have elastic, loops, ties, or other means to hold them in place.
- Neck gaiters and face coverings/masks with vents are not permitted.
- Follow the health and safety procedures listed in building/ laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The University recommends all people — including those who are fully vaccinated — wear masks in crowded outdoor spaces. Additional safety guidance can be found at: https://protect.ku.edu/
The success of this policy relies on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of each individual. All members of the University community share the responsibility of adhering to and enforcing this policy and have the responsibility for bringing it to the attention of visitors. Individuals are encouraged and empowered to respectfully inform others about this policy in an ongoing effort to minimize risks and encourage a culture of respectful cooperation.
All faculty, staff, students, affiliates, visitors, vendors, and volunteers are expected to cooperate and adhere to this policy and report non-compliance. Violations of this policy shall be reported via an online form found at https://unmasked.ku.edu
The Chancellor, Executive Policy Group, or Chancellor’s designee may amend, suspend, or rescind this policy, as appropriate, based on containment or control of the disease, advice of public health officials, or other relevant information.
Face masks/coverings are not required during emergency medical or safety interventions (e.g., CPR) or limited circumstances or situations as approved in advance in writing by the Executive Policy Group.
Face masks/coverings are not required for Kansas Athletics athletes and team/program personnel while in practice, game play, and during team or individual competitions.
Face masks/coverings may be temporarily removed by an individual while actively instructing, performing, or presenting. Social distancing should be maintained while the individual has their face mask/covering removed.
Face masks/coverings are not required in an individual’s personal self-contained office (not cubicles) or on-campus residence if others (excluding roommates) are not present.
Individuals or units seeking an exception under this policy should contact the Office of the Provost. It is expected that exceptions will be rare, as wearing face masks/coverings have been shown to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In classrooms, it is the instructor’s discretion as to whether or not they will allow a student who is presenting in front of the class to remove their mask.
The Executive Director of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) shall implement appropriate measures and procedures regarding face coverings and other personal protective equipment on the Yoder campus.
Individuals may be excluded from campus, including not allowed to remain in a class, or subject to appropriate disciplinary action as an employee or as a student for violating the provisions of this policy. Violations of this policy shall be reported by filling out a form located at https://unmasked.ku.edu.
Human Resource Management
1246 West Campus Road
Carruth O’Leary Hall, Room 103
Lawrence, KS 66045
hrdept@ku.edu
785-864-4946
Office of Student Affairs
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Strong Hall, Room 132
Lawrence, KS 66045
studentaffairs@ku.edu
785-864-4060
“Common areas” means indoor campus spaces that are generally open and accessible to members of the University community, including, but not limited to, classrooms, teaching labs, studios, libraries, museums, foyers and entryways, hallways, lecture halls, stadiums, gyms and weight rooms, dining and food service/purchase areas, restrooms, stairwells, meeting rooms, residence hall lounge areas, and campus healthcare facilities including Watkins Health Services, CAPS, and all on-campus vaccination, medical, dental, and clinical treatment sites, including mobile units.
08/25/2021: Updated exclusions section.
08/14/2020: Policy published in the Policy Library.
05/28/2021: Policy retired from Policy Library. Policy revision (https://protect.ku.edu/update-mask-requirement).
08/06/2021: Policy revised and reinstated; effective 08/09/2021.
