Policy on Face Coverings

All members of the ETSU community, including visitors, are required to wear face coverings in public spaces. Read COVID-19 Policy on Face Coverings for details.

The CDC recommends people wear face coverings in public and in other settings where they are around others who do not live in their households, especially when physical distancing may be difficult to maintain. COVID-19 has been shown to spread person to person primarily through respiratory droplets created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Employees, students and other persons who are present face-to-face on campus may be exposed to one another for prolonged periods of time, sometimes in environments where physical distancing may be a challenge such as in the classroom.

ETSU takes the health of our employees and students seriously, and we appreciate your cooperation in taking measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 including wearing a face covering while present on campus in classrooms and other indoor areas, as well as outdoor areas where physical distance between persons cannot be maintained.

COVID-19 Policy on Face Coverings Frequently Asked Questions

 Acceptable Face Coverings

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are face coverings required to be worn outdoors as well as indoors on campus?

    As a general rule, face coverings are required on campus in classrooms and other indoor areas, as well as outdoor areas where a physical distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained between persons.

    Learn more: COVID-19 Policy on Face Coverings

  • Do I really have to wear a mask in class?

    Yes, The CDC recommends people wear face coverings in public and in other settings where they are around others who do not live in their households, especially when physical distancing may be difficult to maintain. COVID-19 has been shown to spread person to person primarily through respiratory droplets created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Employees, students and other persons who are present face-to-face on campus may be exposed to one another for prolonged periods of time, sometimes in environments where physical distancing may be a challenge such as in the classroom.

    ETSU takes the health of our employees and students seriously, and we appreciate your cooperation in taking measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 including wearing a face covering while in the classroom.

    Learn more: COVID-19 Policy on Face Coverings

  • CDC recommends face coverings when physical distancing is not possible. If students are in classrooms sitting 6 feet apart then why is there a need for masks?

    The CDC recommends combining physical distancing with face coverings and other preventative measures such as frequent hand washing to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

    Face coverings shall be worn on campus while:

    • Inside all campus buildings and facilities
    • Outside when physical distancing between persons cannot be maintained
    • On the BucShot (free shuttle service)

  • What if I don’t or can’t wear a face covering?

    Faculty, staff and students who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical or other condition should contact Disability Services by telephone at 423-439-8346 or by email at littleme@etsu.edu to request an accommodation.

  • If I am approved to not wear a mask for ADA reasons, how will others know?

    Faculty, staff and students who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical or other condition should contact Disability Services by telephone at 423-439-8346 or by email at littleme@etsu.edu to request an accommodation and determine how the faculty, staff, or student may disclose this information if appropriate.

  • Can faculty ask a  student to leave class or an event if the student refuses to wear a face covering? What if the student refuses?

    Yes. However, the faculty member should adhere to the COVID-19 Policy of Face Coverings first.

    • If a student is not wearing a face covering on campus in an area where one is required, and the student is not otherwise exempt from the requirement, a disposable face covering will be provided for the student to wear.
    • If a student refuses to wear a face covering in a classroom setting, the student will be referred to complete their coursework in an alternative learning environment.
    • Members of the campus community who have concerns related to a student who does not comply with the University requirement to wear a face covering on campus may file an online report to the Dean of Students Office. Additionally, the Dean of Students Office may be reached at 423-439-4311 or via email to Dr. Michelle Byrd at byrdt@etsu.edu
  • What if my professor refuses to wear a face covering?

    Members of the campus community who have concerns related to a faculty or staff member who does not comply with the University requirement to wear a face covering on campus should respectfully address the concern with the supervisor of the faculty or staff member not wearing a mask. If resolution cannot be achieved contact the Office of Human Resources at 423-439-4457.

  • What consequences do students and employees face if they refuse to wear a face covering on campus?

    If a faculty or staff member is not wearing a face covering on campus in an area where one is required and the employee is not otherwise exempt from the requirement, the employee may be subject to the Progressive Discipline policy.

    If a student is not wearing a face covering on campus in an area where one is required, and the student is not otherwise exempt from the requirement, the student may be found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

    Learn more: COVID-19 Policy on Face Coverings

  • Do faculty and staff need to wear face covering in private offices or areas with reduced capacity?

    If you are alone in your private office (not a cubicle), you do not need to wear a face covering or mask. However, they must be worn by all faculty and staff working on campus when in the presence of others and in public settings where physical distancing measures may be difficult to maintain (e.g., common workspaces and classrooms).

  • Can I wear a face shield in place of a face covering/mask?

    No. Face shields should be worn with a face covering/mask.

    Acceptable Face Coverings

     

What should I do if I see someone not wearing a face covering?


DO

Promote prevention rather than reaction.

  • Examples: instructors put clear expectations and consequences in syllabi based on the university’s policy, supervisors ensure that there is proper signage outside of their spaces and masks available for visitors who don’t have them.

Consider whether it’s your responsibility to say something.

  • Examples: instructors in a classroom setting have a responsibility to say something to their students, supervisors have a responsibility to say something to their office workers.
  • If you’re not sure if it’s your responsibility, ask your direct supervisor.

Be calm and concise.

  • People are most motivated to change when the ask comes from a place of kindness.
  • A warm tone of voice paired with objective expectations are more likely to promote change compared to an angry tone of voice with a critical message.
  • For example, “Could you please put your mask on while you’re inside” or “ETSU policy requires that masks are worn inside buildings, and I notice that you’re not wearing a mask (or not wearing it over your nose). I need to ask that you put on a face covering, including covering your nose, to come into this space. I have a mask here if you need one.

Know to whom you can go if someone is not complying with the policy.

DON'T

Don’t shame, blame, or argue.

  • People have strong feelings and opinions about wearing facial coverings. It can be easy to think that by publicly embarrassing someone or attacking their opinions/character you might get them to wear a mask. This is an ineffective approach that usually backfires.

Don’t assume someone’s reasons for not wearing facial coverings is antagonistic.

  • Some people have been traumatized or victimized by people wearing masks.
  • You can remind folks that if they are unable to wear a mask, for whatever reason, they must have approval of disability services.

 

 

 

The best way to approach/encourage someone who is not wearing a mask

Know first and foremost that there is not a single best way to approach and encourage someone to wear a face covering. Under most circumstances, it is not even your responsibility to do so.

Whether or not it is your responsibility to approach and encourage someone to wear a face covering depends on the authority invested in you by the role you are playing on campus at that moment.
If you are uncertain about the circumstances under which it is your responsibility to regulate the face coverings of others, ask your supervisor.

If you are an instructor or supervisor entrusted by policy with protecting the safety of your students or staff members, then you have a duty to ensure the wearing of face coverings as it pertains to this specific role. However, under no circumstances should a noncompliant student or staff member be harassed, demeaned, shamed, or publicly embarrassed. It is also important not to make assumptions about the individual’s motives in noncompliance.

To manage compliance, prevention is the best approach. Establish clearly outlined policies and procedures that can be specified in a syllabus (where they can be detailed at great length) before a course begins or through conspicuously displayed signage (which will need to be briefer and in large typeface) proximal to the office space where they apply.



Procedures should be graduated, beginning with reminding an individual that face coverings are required, or providing the individual with a face covering from your own supply. Failing these efforts, it may be necessary to graduate to more direct interventions (as appropriate).

  • In the case of a classroom or other pedagogical setting, a noncompliant student should be asked to leave and join the class remotely, or the class can be dismissed for the day or longer period of time until it becomes clear that all students have agreed to comply with the facial coverings policy.
  • In the case of a work setting, a noncompliant staff member should be asked to leave the premises and the supervisor should follow reporting procedures identified in ETSU policy.

If you are a student or staff member in a subordinate relationship with an instructor or supervisor, then under most circumstances you should not directly confront the instructor or supervisor; rather you should follow the reporting procedures identified in ETSU Policy on Face Coverings.

In interactions between individuals not characterized by power differentials, it is best to avoid direct confrontations and maintain safe physical distancing as indicated in CDC guidelines.

 

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