At this time Occidental is leaving our current masking policies in place - meaning masks are still required indoors.
Oxy Community:
You may be aware that yesterday, Los Angeles County released new interim indoor masking guidelines that, effective tomorrow, permits establishments, businesses and other venues to remove masking requirements for vaccinated individuals, subject to specific requirements for verifying individuals' vaccination status.
While colleges and universities do fall into the permitted types of establishments mentioned by the County, at this time Occidental is leaving our current masking policies in place - meaning masks are still required indoors. The new interim County guidance is optional, and allows for colleges like Oxy to leave masking rules in place. We don't anticipate any changes to masking guidance at Oxy between now and the end of spring break, at minimum.
The COVID Operations Group will continue to monitor conditions on campus and in the county, as well as evolving federal, state and local guidance. Based on current improving trends in LA County, public health officials are currently indicating that the indoor masking requirements could be fully rescinded in mid- to late-March if trends continue. We will certainly revisit College masking policy at that time.
Marty Sharkey, on behalf of COG
COVID Operations Group (COG)
Harry J. Elam, Jr., President
Sharla Fett, Faculty Council President, Professor of American History
Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Amos Himmelstein, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Nora Kahn, General Counsel
Devon Sakamoto, Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness Center
Marty Sharkey, Vice President of Communications & Institutional Initiatives
Wendy Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
James Uhrich, Vice President for Information Technology Services & Chief Information Officer