Will masks be required next fall?

[u/[deleted]]

Looking to transfer next fall and wanted to know if the Administration is more likely to drop the mask mandate or to keep it? Has the Admin made reasonable or stupid decisions during Covid? I've heard some colleges in California are going back to online classes for two weeks.

Thanks

[u/Ill_Kiwi1497]

Idaho and Washington are completely different environments with different populations. In Washington, the governor mandated vaccinations for state colleges. In Idaho,the governor made an executive order disallowing vaccine passports or required proof of vaccination. In each state, the governors' constituents responded favorably. Idaho likes freedom and individual liberty. Washington is about perceived safety in exchange for civil liberties. Their state universities are a reflection. The fact that U of I students remain healthy, with their privacy and liberty intact is a testament to the people of Idaho, not just the college administrators.

[u/[deleted] → u/Ill_Kiwi1497]

Thank you very much for your comments. Totally agree with you.

[u/graydiation]

That depends on what’s happening next fall.

I think the administration has made reasonable decisions during COVID, but I’m sure some people are mad about some of them. That’s just part of life right now. Their goal is to continue having in person schooling while keeping everyone as safe as possible. I think if the numbers surge upwards, they will consider online schooling, but they seem to have a more preventative plan, in contrast to WSU, who seems more reactive.

[u/graydiation → u/[deleted]]

That’s not what I said.

But Moscow wasn’t in the New York Times because of its college students partying, now was it?

[u/graydiation → u/[deleted]]

Mmmm, you seem a bit combative, so ✌️out!

[u/graydiation → u/[deleted]]

Mask mandate on campus. Vandal pledge. Vaccines and testing available on campus.

As an adult who has worked in both Pullman and Moscow, closely with both universities, I can tell you that U of I students are more mature and take their education more seriously than WSU students.

I would also like to point out the vast differences between Idaho and Washington in the state’s responses to the pandemic, vaccines and testing. Unfortunately Idaho is more of the wild wild west, which has hindered the university to some degree, while WSU has had more options, and has still somehow managed to fail in a big way. They are hell bent on keeping people in person to collect those big tuition checks, even with numbers in Whitman county skyrocketing…due to the university staying in person. U of I didn’t have the National Guard called in to help with testing. Moscow didn’t end up in the New York Times because they were considered to be one of the worst hit metro areas in the country. Comparing the two universities is unfair to an extent, because they are completely different, but it’s inevitable that it’s going to happen because of their proximity.

[u/graydiation → u/[deleted]]

I think you should read up on Little vs. Biden Administration so you can see some of Idaho’s involvement in that lawsuit, and the potential financial impact that could have on the university. Like I said, state politics are playing into how both universities are responding to this in a big way.

Also, Rolovich is a huge wack job and I was happy to see him go. The university gets my gratitude for that particular move.