Face Covering Requirement
Effective today, July 27, 2020, Radford University is requiring face coverings. Students, faculty, staff, and others are encouraged to review the University’s Universal Masking and Cloth Mask Guidance and Cloth Mask or Face Covering Distribution Plan for additional information.
At Radford University, students will be required to wear face coverings while in class and shared/common spaces, as well as conducting business on campus. Faculty will be provided the option to stand behind a clear barrier at a podium or wear a face covering. Employees, both faculty and staff, working independently in their offices will not have to wear face coverings. Employees in common areas and shared/meeting spaces will be required to wear face coverings. Face coverings will not be required outside; however, they will be required anywhere that appropriate physical distancing is not possible.
The requirement to wear a face covering, which is in accordance with Executive Order 63 issued by Governor Northam, does not apply to the following:
1. While eating or drinking.
2. Individuals exercising or using exercise equipment.
3. Any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance.
4. Any person seeking to communicate with the deaf or hard of hearing and for which the mouth needs to be visible.
5. When temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to secure government or medical services.
6. Persons with health conditions that prohibit wearing a face covering.
The strength of our community rests on our trust and care for one another. During these difficult and uncertain times, we expect students, as well as faculty and staff, to abide by Commonwealth of Virginia requirements and Radford University expectations by wearing face coverings, while in academic spaces, including classrooms, computer labs, centers, and departmental suites, as well as other required areas. Individuals not wearing face coverings in required areas will be asked to wear a face covering or leave the area. For the health and safety of our community, those who do not wear face coverings may face disciplinary action.
Radford University is proud to be part of the Virginia Department of Health’s “Mask Up Virginia” Initiative. For information about the importance of face coverings, please visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2020/05/11/masks-up-why-you-need-to-be-wearing-a-cloth-mask/.