02/14/2022
Dear MSU Community,
Since hitting a record high of new COVID-19 cases on January 14, 2022, the number of new cases per day in Gallatin County has trended downward. The total number of active COVID-19 cases on a given day has also trended downward during the same period of time. In light of similar developments across the state, the Montana Commissioner of Higher Education on Friday, Feb. 11 afternoon directed the campuses of the Montana University System to begin phasing out COVID-19 restrictions as soon as possible.
Given these encouraging developments and the availability of vaccines in Montana, our COVID-19 protocols will be adjusted accordingly. Beginning Monday, Feb. 14, face masks will be recommended, but not required, for students, faculty and staff in campus buildings at Montana State University.
For MSU students, faculty and staff who desire to continue wearing a more protective mask, the university will provide KN95 masks, free of charge, for the duration of the Spring semester. Up to two masks at a time can be picked up at the Plew Building at the corner of Grant Street and Sixth Avenue. Because we need to be judicious with the limited supplies of KN95 face masks, everyone else is welcome to continue wearing the face mask of their preference if they choose to do so.
Montana State University will continue to provide free symptomatic COVID-19 testing for students at the MSU Student Testing Center; an appointment is not necessary. In addition, free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters will still be available to students through MSU's Student Health Partners.
I want to express my deepest thanks to all the MSU students, faculty and staff for the patience, solidarity and resilience they have demonstrated during this chapter in our history.
As we say at Montana State University, You are Pure Gold!
Sincerely,
Waded Cruzado
President, Montana State University
