UPDATE FROM THE PRESIDENT: AUGUST 12, 2021
Dear Moore returning students, faculty & staff:
As we prepare for the impending start of the fall 2021 semester and a full community return to campus, we are writing to update you on Moore’s plans and policies regarding campus health and safety, on behalf of the larger Pandemic Response Team (PRT).
Our primary goal remains the same as ever, which is to prioritize the health and safety of Moore’s students, faculty and staff. Due to the nationwide surge of the COVID-19 Delta Variant and new mandates and announcements from the City of Philadelphia regarding masking indoors, we must all be prepared to pivot in the days and weeks ahead with regards to on-campus health and safety measures.
Please note that in response to the City’s new indoor mask mandate for businesses and institutions, all students, employees and campus visitors are now required to wear masks on campus beginning today, Thursday, August 12. We recommend strongly, per the City’s guidelines, that unvaccinated people double mask when they are indoors and use a surgical/disposable mask underneath a double-ply cloth mask for added protection for themselves and others.
The only times when masks will not be required indoors on campus are as follows:
- When students are in their own dorm rooms of the residence halls
- When employees are alone in their own offices
- When eating or drinking in the Dining Hall
Given that the current situation is evolving rapidly, we expect that additional mandates for colleges and universities are forthcoming, with regards to masking and testing requirements for unvaccinated populations. This means that all current policies are subject to change. The PRT will also continue to monitor future expertise, recommendations and guidelines from our local and state governmental agencies, along with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and we will keep you informed of any new changes.
Unlike the first wave of the pandemic, it is noteworthy that the vast majority of our campus community has since been vaccinated, including our students, with a small number of faith-based and medical exemptions. This will go a long way to contributing to our overall success in keeping each other safe and remaining here on campus.
For those who are traveling in the weeks ahead, including first-year and returning students coming to live on campus, the PRT strongly recommends wearing a mask, especially when traveling between states and/or utilizing transportation such as planes, trains, buses, etc.
If you or a family member become ill and display flu-like symptoms in the near future, please refer to the bullet points below this letter about next steps.
We were quite successful last year in maintaining health and safety on campus, and that was due to the cooperation of our entire community. We are grateful for your continued support and understanding as we navigate this changing landscape. The PRT will continue to send updates as the situation evolves. In the meantime, stay safe, healthy and proactive, and we look forward to seeing you all on campus very soon.
Sincerely,
Cecelia Fitzgibbon
President
