Revised classroom masking guidance to begin Spring Quarter

Dear students,

As the health landscape on campus and in surrounding communities continues to improve, Northwestern will lift its masking requirement in classrooms, lab-based classes and other instructional spaces, effective with the start of Spring Quarter on Tuesday, March 29.

While masking will no longer be required in most spaces, the University strongly recommends masking in areas where distancing is not possible, particularly as many members of our community return from Spring Break travel and students complete required testing.

Even as Northwestern and the world around us phase out masking requirements, it’s important to acknowledge that each of us moves at a different speed with changing a practice that has been a part of our lives for the better part of two years. Some people continue to wear masks due to medical conditions or as a measure of protection for vulnerable loved ones at home. Others wear masks for personal comfort. And some never want to wear another mask again. No matter an individual’s choices, we are committed to respecting and supporting one another.

Instructors and staff cannot require masking of others unless they are directed to do so as part of an approved disability accommodation through the Office of Equity or AccessibleNU. As our community adjusts to the changing environment on and around campus, we ask our students, faculty and staff to be conscientious of each other and honor individual requests where possible. In most situations, it’s best, though not required, to mask if those around you have chosen to do so.

Free surgical masks remain available in the entryways of most campus buildings and free KN95 masks, designed to further reduce individual risk of contracting COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, remain available at the front desk of the Norris University Center and in the lobby of the Chicago testing site at 345 E. Superior St.

Until further notice, masks will continue to be required on campus shuttles and in University health settings such as Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services and our COVID-19 testing sites. There also are indoor campus events during which masks are required more broadly. Individuals in leased spaces, patient-facing areas or clinical buildings should refer to local guidance regarding indoor masking policies, as they may differ from University-owned buildings.

Northwestern makes any revisions to its protocols in partnership with local health officials and our own health experts, and we will make additional changes to masking requirements or other mitigation strategies if needed.

As we announced on March 3, all graduate and undergraduate students, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to complete at least one in-person COVID-19 test during the week of March 27. Students, faculty and staff with an approved exception to the vaccination requirement are still required to complete two in-person tests each week.

Northwestern will offer the following extended hours at its in-person testing sites in Evanston and Chicago to accommodate required testing:

• Sunday, March 27: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Evanston; the Chicago site and symptomatic testing will not be open
• Monday, March 28: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Evanston and Chicago sites
• Tuesday, March 29, through Friday, April 1: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Evanston and Chicago sites

Testing hours will return to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at both sites beginning April 4.

Additionally, Northwestern continues to offer free at-home COVID-19 tests to students ahead of Spring Break travel. At-home testing is not required but is encouraged for students who plan to spend significant time outside of the Northwestern community. Free at-home tests also are available through the federal government and most health insurance plans.

Thank you for your contributions to this community effort. We wish you a healthy and restful Spring Break.

Sincerely,

Luke Figora
Vice President for Operations

Kathleen Hagerty
Provost and Professor

Julie Payne-Kirchmeier
Vice President for Student Affairs

Dear faculty and staff, 

As the health landscape on campus and in surrounding communities continues to improve, Northwestern will lift its masking requirement in classrooms, lab-based classes and other instructional spaces, effective with the start of Spring Quarter on Tuesday, March 29.

While masking will no longer be required in most spaces, the University strongly recommends masking in areas where distancing is not possible, particularly as many members of our community return from Spring Break travel and students complete required testing. Instructors teaching an in-person class may again teach up to 10% of their class sessions remotely.

Even as Northwestern and the world around us phase out masking requirements, it’s important to acknowledge that each of us moves at a different speed with changing a practice that has been a part of our lives for the better part of two years. Some people continue to wear masks due to medical conditions or as a measure of protection for vulnerable loved ones at home. Others wear masks for personal comfort. And some never want to wear another mask again. No matter an individual’s choices, we are committed to respecting and supporting one another.

Instructors and managers cannot require masking of others unless they are directed to do so as part of an approved disability accommodation through the Office of Equity or AccessibleNU. As our community adjusts to the changing environment on and around campus, we ask our students, faculty and staff to be conscientious of each other and honor individual requests where possible. In most situations, it’s best, though not required, to mask if those around you have chosen to do so.

Free surgical masks remain available in the entryways of most campus buildings and free KN95 masks, designed to further reduce individual risk of contracting COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, remain available at the front desk of the Norris University Center and in the lobby of the Chicago testing site at 345 E. Superior St. 

Until further notice, masks will continue to be required on campus shuttles and in University health settings such as Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services and our COVID-19 testing sites. There also are indoor campus events during which masks are required more broadly. Individuals in leased spaces, patient-facing areas or clinical buildings should refer to local guidance regarding indoor masking policies, as they may differ from University-owned buildings.

Northwestern makes any revisions to its protocols in partnership with local health officials and our own health experts, and we will make additional changes to masking requirements or other mitigation strategies if needed. 

As we announced on March 3, all graduate and undergraduate students, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to complete at least one in-person COVID-19 test during the week of March 27. Students, faculty and staff with an approved exception to the vaccination requirement are still required to complete two in-person tests each week.

Northwestern will offer the following extended hours at its in-person testing sites in Evanston and Chicago to accommodate required testing:

• Sunday, March 27: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Evanston; the Chicago site and symptomatic testing will not be open
• Monday, March 28: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Evanston and Chicago sites
• Tuesday, March 29, through Friday, April 1: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Evanston and Chicago sites 

Testing hours will return to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at both sites beginning April 4. 

Additionally, Northwestern is offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to students ahead of Spring Break travel. At-home testing is not required but is encouraged for students who plan to spend significant time outside of the Northwestern community. Free at-home tests also are available through the federal government and most health insurance plans.

Thank you for your contributions to this community effort.

Sincerely, 

Luke Figora
Vice President for Operations

Lorraine Goffe
Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resource Officer

Kathleen Hagerty
Provost and Professor