College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu shared the following message regarding face covering requirements with the campus community on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021:

Dear Campus Community,ย 

In light of the South Carolina Supreme Courtโ€™s decision released today regarding face coverings at a publicย higher education institution, the College of Charleston, as directed by the Board of Trustees, will now require face coverings for all members of the campus community, regardless of vaccination status, while around others indoors in all of its campus facilities, including classrooms and laboratories. The mask requirementย does not apply in a studentโ€™s own residence hall room, a faculty or staff memberโ€™s private office (if alone) or while eating/drinking indoorsย on campus.ย 

This requirement for wearing face coverings takes effect immediately, as of Tuesday, August 17, and the requirement will be reviewed on a monthly basis to determine its appropriateness and duration.ย ย ย ย ย 

The requirement of wearing face coverings when around others indoors aligns with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionย (CDC) and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC). I appreciate our students, faculty, staff members and visitorsโ€™ willingness to comply with this directive so that the College of Charleston may mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19 and keep our campus community safe and healthy.ย 

Sincerely,ย 

Andrewย 

Andrew T.ย Hsu,ย Ph.D.
President
College of Charlestonย