KU announces mandatory mask policy for all of campus, effective immediately

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World File Photo

Strong Hall on the University of Kansas campus is shown on Sept. 13, 2018.

All individuals on the University of Kansas campus, effective immediately, will be required to wear a face covering to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, KU Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer said Thursday.

The KU policy office is in the process of drafting new personal safety requirements for the Lawrence campus and the Edwards Campus in Overland Park for as long as the COVID-19 pandemic conditions persist, Bichelmeyer said.

The policy will likely be in effect for the next academic year as the pandemic continues to affect KU’s operations, the provost said, and will go through the required university policy review and approval procedures.

In the interim, the need for face coverings remains of paramount importance in protecting the public health, Bichelmeyer said. Therefore, the KU Executive Policy Group, which is led by Chancellor Douglas Girod, is authorized to require the use of face coverings before an official policy takes effect.

The requirement applies to all faculty, staff, students, affiliates, visitors, vendors and volunteers while in common areas of a building and within 6 feet of any person anywhere on campus, Bichelmeyer said

Violations of the policy by anyone but students should be reported to KU’s Human Resource Management. Students who violate the policy should be reported to Student Affairs, Bichelmeyer said.

For campus units that need personal protective equipment, they can submit a request for a variety of supplies through the KU Storeroom, the message said. It was not immediately clear what supplies KU has on hand to distribute to those units.

“Jayhawks, this policy relies on your thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation,” Bichelmeyer said. “The health and safety of each Jayhawk depends on the practices of all Jayhawks.”

The provost also hinted that further public health policies are being finalized and will be released in the coming days.


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