Updates on Masking and Social Distancing

May 19, 2021

Dear all,

I am writing to update you on new guidelines for vaccinated people on Vassar’s campus.

Following the newly-announced New York State guidelines, people who are fully vaccinated (which means they are two weeks past their final shot) are not required to wear a mask or maintain social distance when outside on our campus. Unvaccinated people are still required to wear a mask, even if they have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days. Outdoor gatherings continue to be limited to 50 people; however, if you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to wear a mask or social distance, regardless of the size of the group.

The expectations for masking indoors have not changed; even if you are vaccinated, you must wear a mask inside unless you are alone or with members of your pod in a private space. We will continue to update this as New York State guidelines develop.

As we welcome this new freedom, let us remember that some in our community may continue to mask for a variety of reasons. We encourage you to keep a mask with you, and if you are around someone who is wearing their mask, please consider wearing your mask as well.

Thank you for continuing to care for each other, even as we begin to shed some of the restrictions the pandemic has brought. If you have any questions, let me know.

Thanks,

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar