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Dear Â鶹ԭ´´ State Community;

Thank you for doing your part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. For two consecutive weeks, we have had no new reports of positive cases. We are grateful and acknowledge your commitment.  Please continue to practice prevention protocols and encourage others to vaccinate.

Effective May 1, the has approved reducing social distance space to 3-feet and increasing room capacities to 80%. Note most classrooms and other spaces on campus hold fewer than 80% of their capacity when all individuals are spaced 3-feet apart. Our facilities and ITS teams have set all campus spaces so that social distance can be maintained.

The Office of the Provost continues to plan for appropriate in-person class sizes, taking into consideration how safety can be maintained in consideration of County mandates, campus spaces, and the needs of our faculty, staff and students. Our measurements indicate that we can safely put approximately 30 students in a typical classroom with a capacity of 40 students.

, issued May 3 modified the face covering mandate for individuals that are fully vaccinated.  Given that at this time vaccinations are not mandatory, we will continue to require face coverings be worn indoors at all times.  Individuals should not remove their face coverings to teach or present indoors.  While indoors a face covering can be removed only if an individual is socially distanced while actively eating or drinking, or in a closed office alone.  While outdoors face coverings may be removed, however there are exceptions. For example, if an outdoor event requires participants be in close proximity such as a concert, face coverings will be required.

In-person events and gatherings require the submission of . Requests for an exception must be submitted at least four weeks in advance for events limited to Â鶹ԭ´´ State students, faculty and/or staff and six weeks in advance for events attended by visitors or guests. This applies to any activity, occasion, reception, performance, special meal, conference, training, meeting, or any combination thereof that does not appear in a published class schedule. Appointments and classes are excluded.

Working together to safeguard the campus community requires our unwavering commitment to observing these best practices:

1. All Â鶹ԭ´´ns over the age of 16 are encouraged to get vaccinated. Visit to schedule a vaccination appointment.
2. Continue following .
3. Be aware of , and when it is needed.
4. Do not come to campus if you know you were . You should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. Even if you test negative for COVID-19 or feel healthy, you should stay home (quarantine) since symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
5. If you are experiencing any , get a free test and stay off campus. To determine when it is safe to return to being around others, check here:
6. To schedule a free COVID-19 test, visit or visit and select PUBLIC as your employer.
7. If you suspect or are confirmed to have COVID-19, complete the Self-Report Form at nsc.edu/coronavirus.

The Self-Report Form and many more tools are also available on the .

We will continue to share information specific to Â鶹ԭ´´ State through official channels, including .

Virtual Town Hall

Do you have questions?  Then tune in to the Virtual Town Hall on Friday, May 7th at 12:00 p.m. at .  All employees can submit questions in advance for campus leadership by visiting .

Edith Fernández, PhD
Vice President
DIVISION OF COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT