UPDATED: August 19, 2021
For the sake of the vulnerable in the Trinity community, including those who cannot be vaccinated, dependent children under 12, and the immunocompromised, TIU has decided to reinstate a masking requirement for all indoor public spaces, effective Thursday, August 19. Until further notice, regardless of vaccination status, all faculty, staff, students, and guests will be required to wear a mask inside all academic buildings, athletic spaces, as well as Waybright, Chapel, and open office spaces. It is our intention to keep this requirement only as long as necessary.
The requirement will not apply to residence halls as these are deemed non-public spaces and constitute “home-pods.”
For the time being, this decision does not affect any of TIU’s scheduled athletic competitions, nor will it establish a limit on the number of spectators allowed to attend home games. Home and visiting spectators will be permitted to attend all indoor home events, provided that a mask be worn at all times. No masks will be required for outdoor events.
Throughout the challenges of COVID-19, Trinity’s emphasis has been on being a Christ-centered community that seeks to “love one another” and consider the needs of others above our own. While we would all like to see COVID-19 mitigations behind us, we believe this action is a responsible one as we consider the vulnerable among our community.
Additionally, the University reminds all that:
-
Vaccination is not required;
-
Classes, chapels, athletic events, and other student life events will be in-person without social distancing;
-
Hawkins Dining Hall is self-serve without plexiglass dividers at tables.
We will continue to monitor guidance and local transmission rates in order to carefully match mitigation requirements with developing circumstances.
Our criteria for reducing masking requirements is determined by two benchmarks:
-
The COVID-19 Community Transmission level in Lake County falls below “High”;
-
The number of positive cases in residence halls remains 5 or fewer.
Every Monday morning progress towards these benchmarks will be assessed. Should the COVID Readiness Team determine that these benchmark conditions have been sustained, we will lift masking requirements in all spaces except in classrooms, public restrooms, and chapel. Due to the high transmission of the delta variant, these three spaces would remain “mask only” until further notice.
On Monday mornings throughout the semester, Trinity’s weekly e-newsletter will contain the University COVID Dashboard displaying these benchmark numbers; changes to protocol for the upcoming week, if any, will be communicated in a separate email.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at covid19@tiu.edu.
