The University of Central Missouri announced on Sept. 15 that the university’s face coverings requirement, which began on Aug. 9, would be extended. Face coverings are required in all university buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

  The administration will review this requirement and provide another update no later than Oct. 14. As of Sept. 17, UCM has 17 active student cases and one active faculty/staff case. At this time last year, UCM reported 73 student cases and three faculty/staff cases.

  Tré Kendall, senior design and drafting major, said most of his classes have remained in-person during COVID-19 and his major classes, which involve a lot of computer lab work, have been able to effectively social distance. Kendall said he doesn’t think UCM should have a mask mandate.

  “I feel like they’re probably just being on the cautious side, but even since the end of last spring semester, I haven’t heard any news about COVID on campus,” Kendall said. “From what I’ve heard this semester, the numbers have been pretty dang low, so it’s kind of a shame to hear that they extended that, but at the same time I’m not very surprised.”

  Senior communication studies major Summer Payton said that besides the spring 2020 semester, her learning experience mostly has been unaffected by COVID-19. Payton said she disagrees with the university’s decision.

  “I don’t really think we should have a mask mandate, especially if you’re vaccinated, and I just feel like you learn a lot better with the non-verbal cues of facial expressions,” Payton said. 

  UCM President Roger Best said the university decided to extend the face covering because it seems to be working, specifically mentioning the low number of cases compared to other Missouri institutions and last year’s numbers. Best said that the UCM community’s actions have helped lead to lower rates. 

  “It’s a point of pride for me because I know that our students, faculty and staff are taking everything seriously, and they are doing things that promote their own health and well-being, which is critical,” Best said.