The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts will implement a campus-wide mask mandate, effective immediately.
The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees approved a resolution during its annual retreat today that directs “each campus, division and unit to implement face covering policies for students, faculty, staff and guests, regardless of vaccination status, in indoor public settings where physical distancing cannot be assured in accordance with CDC guidance regarding the COVID-19 Delta variant.”
ASMSA is a campus of the University of Arkansas System and serves academically and artistically motivated high school students from throughout the state.
“I am grateful that the Board of Trustees has granted campuses the opportunity to implement common-sense safety measures that protect our students and colleagues while prioritizing in-person learning in the year ahead,” said ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice.
Alderdice had previously instructed the campus’ COVID-19 workgroup to make a recommendation on masks should Act 1002 of 2021 be amended, repealed or placed on hold in some manner. The group unanimously recommended a campus mask requirement if allowed to do so by the Trustees.
The Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 1002, which prohibits mask mandates by any organization related to state government with a few exceptions earlier this year. A Pulaski County circuit judge issued an injunction against the law last week in response to a suit filed by parents and several school districts.
The policy will remain in effect as long as the use of face coverings continues to be recommended by the CDC and could be adjusted in the accordance with future public health guidance, the resolution noted.
Alderdice noted that wearing masks or other appropriate face coverings was an important component of ASMSA’s response to the pandemic since March 2020. The school had zero student cases of the virus on campus during the 2020-21 school year and was the only of its peer institutions throughout the South and Midwest to resume a full residential and in-person learning experience last year.
While masks are important, encouraging students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 remains ASMSA’s top priority. Thus far, 90% of full-time employees have been vaccinated, and 75% of students are fully vaccinated. That number is expected to increase to 85% by Labor Day as additional students receive their second dose.
“Vaccinations, masking, social distancing and routine testing are all essential strategies that ASMSA will employ in the year ahead,” Alderdice said. “The previous year showed that the template can lead to success. With the challenges of the Delta variant, proactive measures are even more critical.”