While the governor and local governments duke it out over mask mandates, it’s not just K-12 schools that are unsure how to proceed. Universities are also starting to welcome students back amid concern that COVID-19 is threatening another school year.
Some college administrators are taking a page from K-12 superintendents and requiring masks despite the governor’s order prohibiting mask mandates, other area universities are taking a different approach. We think their example is worth following. After the Texas Supreme Court hit pause on Dallas County’s mask mandate, the University of Texas at Dallas announced that it will be reducing class sizes and requiring those students, faculty and staff who do not self-report their vaccination status to fill out a daily screening form and take a COVID test within the first three weeks of the semester.
UTD President Richard Benson acknowledged in a letter to students and staff last week that the university cannot require masks or vaccinations per Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive orders. Rather than taking legal action or flat out defying the order, administrators are doing the best they can by recommending following CDC guidelines and requiring COVID tests for all students, faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status.
Other area universities have implemented similar policies over the past couple weeks. The University of North Texas is requiring testing at regular intervals throughout the semester for those who do not self-report their vaccination status. The University of Texas at Arlington is requiring all students, vaccinated or not, to take a COVID test within the first few weeks of the semester while encouraging students to get vaccinated and wear masks.
The executive order does not apply to private universities and several have taken a different approach. Southern Methodist University, The University of Dallas and Texas Christian University are requiring masks “temporarily” as the semester starts.
Still, there are universities leaving students with little or no guidance as local and state government battles over mask mandates. While Texas Woman’s University offers vaccinations to students, they had no testing or vaccination requirements in place at the time of publication. Even worse, Dallas Baptist University and Collin College are not requiring masks, proof of vaccination, symptom monitoring, social distancing or testing even though they are returning to in-person learning.
As we all watch our leaders, waiting for unified guidance, let’s look at who is doing it right and working with what they can. With over 1 million students enrolled in colleges around the state, these universities are setting an important example of how to keep students safe.
Dallas Morning News
