The University of Arkansas Systen Board of Trustees approved a resolution July 15 directing each campus, division and unit to adopt a policy that, at a minimum, requires the use of cloth face coverings by students, faculty, staff and guests in university facilities where physical distancing of six-feet or more cannot be assured in accordance with guidance from state and federal health officials.

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, will announce it's full plan for Fall campus safety policies and procedures in the coming days. As directed by the resolution, face coverings will be required on the UAFS campus, when pysical distancing cannot be maintained, in accordance with guidance from the CDC, the Arkasnas Department of Health and the UA System. 

The full agenda from the meeding is available here.

 

The full text of the resolution reads:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas recognizes the need to continue monitoring the impact of COVID-19 in Arkansas and to adhere to the public health guidelines and directives from the state and federal governments; and

WHEREAS, the state and federal governments have outlined steps for maintaining some protective health measures to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 as communities and organizations reopen to certain activities; and

WHEREAS, UA System institutions have begun developing plans that include blended face-to- face and remote instruction, encouraging the use of protective items such as hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and cloth face masks, among other guidance; and

WHEREAS, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has released return-to-work guidance for state employees including the requirement for employees to social distance at least six feet from one another and utilize cloth face coverings when social distancing is not possible; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidance regarding the reopening of college and university campuses, including advice for institutions to “recommend and reinforce the use of cloth face coverings among students, faculty and staff” particularly “in times when physical distancing is difficult;” and

WHEREAS, ADH and CDC guidance includes advice regarding settings and activities where mask wearing may not be feasible including while eating and while participating in extracurricular activities such as athletics and music;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS THAT the Board directs each campus, division and unit to adopt a policy that, at a minimum, requires the use of cloth face coverings by students, faculty, staff and guests in university facilities where physical distancing of six-feet or more cannot be assured in accordance with guidance from state and federal health officials.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the policies include reasonable exceptions for certain settings and activities that follow guidance established by public health agencies and/or by external governing bodies such as athletics conferences and the NCAA.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT such policies remain in effect as long as the use of cloth face coverings continues to be recommended by ADH and the CDC and that the policies may be adjusted in accordance with future public health guidance.