Dear Brown Community Members,

With continuously improving public health conditions on campus and very high compliance rates with regard to the COVID-19 vaccination and booster requirement, I am writing to inform the Brown community of several modifications to our indoor mask wearing requirements, effective immediately. The modified policy can be found on the Healthy Brown website’s Campus Activity Status page and includes the following highlights:

• Modified Masking for Indoor Lectures. We have extended the exception currently in place for instructors who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines to have the choice to remove masks in classes to also be permitted to remove their masks in some other settings. Specifically, lecturers who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines may choose to remove their mask (though they are not required to do so) when they are speaking during the course of their remarks/presentation at events sponsored by academic or administrative departments and/or student organizations, including presentations, training and instructional sessions administered by administrative departments. Audience members must wear masks throughout the lecture.

• Modified Masking for Indoor Performances. Performers who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including students, in theater productions, dance performances, music performances, a cappella concerts, and other similar performance events (including rehearsals for performance events) may choose to remove their mask (though they are not required to do so) when they are performing. This modification applies to solo as well as group performances. Audience members must wear masks throughout the performance.

• Modified Masking for Indoor Athletic and Recreation Activities. Individuals who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines may choose to remove their masks (though they are not required to do so) when they are engaged in indoor athletic and recreation activities. This includes varsity athletic practice and competition, club and intramural athletic competition, and use of indoor facilities such as the Nelson Fitness Center.

An individual is up to date with COVID-19 vaccine(s) when they have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible. For example, an individual is up to date when they have received a full course of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized COVID-19 vaccine, and any booster dose(s) when eligible.

Mask wearing in other indoor settings remains required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, as detailed on the Campus Activity Status page. We will continuously monitor public health conditions and guidance, and make further changes when possible. In the meantime, I would continue to urge all members of the community to adhere rigorously to the mask wearing requirements both for your individual and our collective health. In particular, please be respectful of and cooperate with staff in settings like the University Library, Stephen Robert ‘62 Campus Center, Dining Services and elsewhere when they may need to remind you from time to time to wear your mask inside those facilities.

Sincerely,

Russell C. Carey
Executive Vice President, Planning and Policy