Campus Activity Levels

Level Green indicates that we are approaching pre-pandemic activity levels or that we have the tools and resources to appropriately mitigate spread of the virus.  

PPE:

Masks are now optional indoors, except in the following situations:  

• In the SHAW Clinic and the Athletic Training Suite  
• If experiencing COVID-19 symptoms  
• If you have recently tested positive and are returning to campus following 5 full days of isolation (5 days of isolation + 5 days of masking).  

Masks are recommended for:  

• People who have a known exposure to a COVID positive individual  
• People who are high risk  
• Visitors to campus from areas/regions of high transmission.  
• Anyone is welcome to wear a mask in any setting, and campus community members are encouraged to respect the choices of those around them. 

Classes: Courses will meet primarily in-person.   

Meetings | Events :  

• Meetings and events with faculty, staff, students, and guests may occur indoors and in person.  
• Faculty, staff, or students planning events are no longer required to submit an event proposal for review but are welcome to do so if they are seeking guidance. 

Athletics:   

• Team training and competitions will follow mitigation practices as laid out by the NCAA and Midwest Conference.    

Visitors: Visitors are welcome in campus buildings 

Off-Campus College-Sponsored Events and Activities: 

• Masks are not required at College-sponsored meals or events hosted in Poweshiek County when the CDC COVID-19 Community Level is medium or low. 
• When planning events, activities, or travel outside of Poweshiek County, faculty, staff, and students should refer to COVID-19 Community Levels at their destination before determining if masking indoors is recommended. Discretion should be used to determine if dining out or unmasked indoor activities are appropriate in areas designated as “high” risk level by the CDC. 

Indoor Dining: 

• Faculty, staff, students, and visitors are welcome to eat together. Room-specific food or beverage restrictions may remain in place; please refer to posted signs. 

Level Blue indicates that community health precautions are still in place for most campus activities.    

PPE:

• Campus community members and visitors are required to wear masks at all times indoors unless alone in a closed office space or with roommate(s) in a closed residence hall room.  
• Due to their availability and high standard of protection, N95, KN95, or KF94 masks are required for students, faculty and staff. Other types of masks, including cloth masks, no longer meet masking requirements. 

Classes: Courses will meet primarily in-person.  

Meetings | Events: 

• In person meetings and events can continue, but all participants must wear approved masks regardless of group size.  

Bear Athletic Center and Athletic Events: 

• Indoor masking at the Bear is required. Varsity athletic competitions will continue. Masking is required for all indoor venues/events, including spectators and all participants except those actively competing.  
• Team training and competitions will follow mitigation practices as laid out by the NCAA and Midwest Conference.   

Visitors: Visitors are welcome in campus buildings (other than the dining hall) and are required to wear masks.  

Travel: 

• International and domestic college-sponsored travel is allowed as outlined in the college-sponsored travel policies. Please continue to be cautious when considering travel.  
• We recommend viewing the CDC transmission estimates and COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for your destination prior to travel.  

Indoor Dining:

• The Marketplace dining hall will remain primarily a student-only space. Students are required to wear masks when navigating the Dining Hall but can take them off when actively eating. 
• Room-specific food or beverage restrictions may remain in place; please refer to posted signs.  
• Any food items planned for events must now be take-away only unless dining outside. 
• Event organizers should contact the event proposal committee for guidance about the updated policy. 
• Employees: Eating indoors in groups is no longer allowed. Employees may unmask briefly to eat in their workspaces. 

Level Yellow indicates a heightened risk of infection for those in our community and/or decreased community resources to react to infection spread and illness, with corresponding effects on campus activities. 

Safety/PPE: Masks worn indoors. Masks worn outdoors with others. Exception: in a private space with the door closed, shower, pool​. 

Classes: Hybrid, primarily online, some in-person with appropriate PPE/safety precautions​.

Meetings and Events: Primarily online, limited events/meetings in-person with appropriate PPE/safety precautions.

Athletics: No competition, limited training with PPE/safety precautions​; buildings at reduced capacity.

Travel/Visitors: Faculty and staff travel restrictions in place with limited opportunities by permission. Limited visitors by reservation only; please check with department or office you intend to visit.

Dining: Take-out food available during business hours from the Marketplace Dining Hall for students and employees on meal plans.

Level Red indicates significant community health risks. At Level Red we recommend limiting, as much as possible, interaction with others outside of your immediate family or ‘bubble’. General community health conditions are negative.General community health conditions are negative. 

Safety/PPE: Masks and shields required when indoors. Masks when with others​. Exception: in a private space with the door closed, shower, pool​.

Classes: Online only​.

Meetings and Events: Online only​.

Athletics: No competition, ​no group activities​. Buildings closed​.

Travel/Visitors: No visitors, staff and faculty travel restrictions in place​.

Dining: Prepackaged food available for students and employees on meals plans to pick up at designated times from the Joe Rosenfield Center.