March 10, 2022

Dear Reed students, faculty, and staff,

Last week, the Oregon Health Authority announced that the state’s indoor mask mandate would be lifted after Friday, March 11, 2022, one week earlier than the previously set date of March 19.

Individual businesses, organizations, and events may continue to apply their own internal mask rules, and face coverings will remain mandatory in certain settings, including healthcare facilities and while on public transportation.

At this time, Reed will maintain a face covering requirement in all indoor shared spaces on campus as we assess how the lifted mask mandate will affect COVID-19 activity and risk.

Oregon has enforced a mask mandate continuously since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with the exception of a one-month period during summer 2021; therefore, the impact of this major shift in public health policy remains somewhat unknown. The COVID Risk Assessment Group will continue to review local and state data and evaluate risk in specific settings on campus, with the goal of coming into alignment with local and state public health guidance in late spring or early summer. 

We are highly appreciative of your dedication to disease prevention measures such as masking, and do not take lightly the burden a face covering requirement places on many of us. While we hope that progress toward global vaccination and improved treatment options help us to move toward a lower-risk, endemic relationship with COVID-19, our highest priority remains protecting the health and well-being of the entire Reed community.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at coronavirusquestions@reed.edu. 

Sincerely, 
The COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group

Gary Granger, Director of Community Safety
Karnell McConnell-Black, Vice President for Student Life
Kathy Oleson, Dean of the Faculty & Professor of Psychology
Tawana Parks, Dean of Students
Hugh Porter, Vice President for College Relations & Planning
Madison Riethman, COVID-19 Response Coordinator
Suzy Renn, Professor of Biology
Timmie Rochon, Medical Services Director
April Sams, Director of Risk Management & Environmental Health and Safety
Lynn Valenter, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer