The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will lift indoor mask requirements on all three campuses, except in classrooms and a few other places, beginning March 1.
Masks will remain required in all classrooms and labs, the COVID-19 testing and vaccination centers and the Student Health Center on the Oshkosh campus.
While masks won’t be required in all indoor spaces, the University still recommends them.
“I am encouraged by the level of vaccination and by the low case rates on our campuses,” said UW Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt. “As we continue to lift mask requirements, you are encouraged to continue wearing a mask, particularly if you have individual health concerns or concerns for vulnerable family members and friends. We respect the individual decisions peers and colleagues will make.”
The upcoming change in policy follows the announcement this morning from UW System President Tommy Thompson that he has been working with university leaders to begin removing mask requirements at campuses across the state as soon as March 1 and no later than institutions’ spring breaks.
UWO will continue to track the pandemic’s impact on campuses closely and is prepared to eliminate mask requirements entirely as conditions warrant. The Emergency Operations Committee will continue to meet and evaluate data and make recommendations if circumstances change.
“I thank President Thompson, his administrative team and our students, faculty, staff and community partners for everything they have done to help UWO create the safe conditions that made today’s next-steps announcement possible,” Leavitt said. “We also appreciate the flexibility UW System leadership has continually provided university communities to monitor local COVID-19 data, trends and public health officials’ guidance as we have kept university life and learning moving forward.”
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