In a note to the campus community Monday, May 24, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee announced his decision to immediately end campus mask mandates (with a few exceptions), social distancing requirements and capacity restrictions.

"Effective immediately, and in accordance with guidance from federal and state public health officials, I am removing campus mandates for the wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and observing modified COVID-19 room capacities. However, masks will still be required on public transportation, such as Raider XPress, and for symptomatic patients (i.e., those with flu-like, or coronavirus-like, symptoms) in our Student Health Services facility," McPhee said in his statement.

Following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, McPhee reiterated that vaccinated people do not need to wear a face mask or practice social distancing, because the vaccine gives them a high level of protection from contracting and spreading the disease.

"Given the ready supply of vaccine available to the campus, as well as throughout the state and nation, we believe members of our community can make informed and individual choices about their health and safety, including appropriate actions and measures they should take to protect themselves from COVID-19," McPhee said.

Those who are not fully vaccinated (i.e., two weeks past their final dose) are still required to wear a mask and practice social distancing for your protection. Also, anyone may choose to wear a mask.

Crews will begin work this week to remove or modify coronavirus-related signage on campus.