After consulting with the COVID-19 Health and Safety Committee and the Allegheny County
Health Department, the University has decided to continue the indoor mask requirement
for all individuals on campus-regardless of vaccination status-for the time being.
The University has concluded that this measure is necessary to maximize the safety
of all students and employees and to ensure the speediest possible return to more
normal operations.
The Allegheny County Health Department has expressed concerns as the Delta variant continues to cause increased COVID-19 cases in our region. The County Health Department has encouraged the continuation of temporary indoor masking requirements throughout the region, such as the one the University adopted, as the best practice to maintain the health and safety of all members of our community. Thus, Duquesne University will continue indoor masking until this new upswing of cases levels off and (hopefully) booster shots help reduce even further the threat posed by the Delta variant.
All individuals on campus are therefore reminded to wear a face covering when indoors, both in public spaces and when they are in groups.
Fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff who are alone and not in a public or shared space may unmask. When dining in shared spaces, individuals should remain masked until they begin to eat or drink, and put masks back on when they finish their meal. Masks will not be required outdoors.
COVID VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE
COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available, free of charge, on campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays in the Muldoon Building at the corner of Chatham Place and Fifth Avenue. Call the Center for Pharmacy Care at (412) 396-2155 or email cpc@duq.edu to schedule an appointment.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES
The University's goal is to reach the point where the mask requirement can be lifted for vaccinated individuals. This depends on everybody doing their part to stay safe. As noted, the University is awaiting guidance from the federal government on booster shots (or a third vaccine) and hopes to be able to lift the requirement for those vaccinated individuals who get the booster, when the time comes.
The temporary mask requirement, and other safety measures, also are necessary to help protect the campus from what is likely to be a difficult flu season, according to infectious disease experts. All students and employees are encouraged to get a flu shot when it is available, starting in September. The University's additional safety measures include:
- Using enhanced cleaning practices in all buildings.
- All individuals are required to upload their proof of vaccination or their exemption
(if applicable, for students).
- Students are to use the University's confidential student health record system.
- Faculty and staff are to upload proof of vaccination at https://patient-duq.medicatconnect.com/home.aspx.
- Individuals not recorded in the system as vaccinated will be required to wear a mask indoors and to participate in weekly COVID testing as a measure to ensure the safety of our entire Duquesne community.
We appreciate the willingness, diligence and positivity that each of you has shown throughout this journey, and we look forward to working together to overcome these temporary challenges and make this a productive and rewarding academic year.
Duquesne University
Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities
for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly
8,000 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them
work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic
programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh
region have earned national acclaim.
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