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MCC Daily Tribune

Mask Wearing Optional for Vaccinated MCC Students, Faculty, Staff and Visitors Starting Tomorrow, March 2

In response to the significant drop in COVID-19 cases and high vaccination rates, Governor Kathy Hochul removed the statewide mask mandate in schools effective tomorrow, March 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State Department of Health data informed her decision. MCC’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 contributed to our reaching this milestone in our fight against the pandemic.

Effective tomorrow, March 2, mask wearing for fully vaccinated students, employees and visitors at MCC campuses and sites will be optional.* All others, including students who received medical or religious exemptions and employees who have yet to voluntarily verify vaccination, must continue to mask when inside MCC buildings and continue to test weekly for COVID-19. SUNY and Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza support this decision. 

Masks can help protect you and others from COVID-19. Even if not required to do so under this updated guidance, an individual’s decision to continue to wear a mask when inside buildings is a personal one that deserves respect. A face covering should not be interpreted as a symbol of vaccination status. MCC will continue to provide access to masks, personal protective equipment and other accommodations.

Individual faculty retain the right to ask, but not require, students to wear a mask in their classroom.

If you …

  • are a student who engages in person and received an exemption for medical or religious reasons, you must continue to wear a mask and test weekly for COVID-19.
  • are an employee who has not voluntarily verified vaccination with Human Resources and engages in person, you must continue to mask and test weekly.
  • are vaccinated and choose to wear a mask, you are welcomed to do so. Please do what makes you feel comfortable and continue to monitor your health.
  • are vaccinated and choose not to wear a mask, please monitor your health and respect those around you who may choose to stay socially distant.
  • are immunocompromised or at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 or if you live with someone who is at an increased risk (e.g., older, medical conditions such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, etc.), you are encouraged to wear a mask. 
  • feel ill and are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, chills, etc.), please contact your health care provider or urgent care. Do not come to MCC.

SUNY mandates requiring students to be vaccinated, boosted when eligible, and tested weekly if applicable remain in place at this time. Regular rapid testing will continue to be available on the Brighton Campus. The COVID-19 testing session schedule is available on MCC’s website.

MCC will continue to monitor on-campus positivity rates and communicate regularly with state and local officials in order to keep the college community informed. Additional guidance will be shared once it becomes available.

Thank you for continuing to stay vigilant to keep yourself and our college community healthy and safe. Send your questions to covid19response@monroecc.edu.

 * This guidance is subject to change based on the latest state and county guidance.

DeAnna Burt-Nanna
Office of the President
03/01/2022