Students share observations on levels of mask mandate compliance on campus

The University has maintained its masking mandate with the help of community members, though there have been sightings of non-compliance on campus. Students shared their observations of compliance, or a lack of, in different areas of Rutgers.

While the University reminds individuals to wear masks through signage, this approach does not always guarantee people will, leaving faculty and student leaders to ensure that all individuals are following these masking policies, said Katherine Dinh, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences junior.

“I think the University puts the responsibilities on the faculty and student leaders to really enforce the mandate, which is working fairly well from what I've seen,” she said.

Dinh said her residence assistant urged residents in her hall to wear masks in shared spaces. As a member of Douglass Residential College, she also receives emails from the institution reminding students to cover their faces.

Anna Forsman, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences junior, said she has never felt the need to approach a student about wearing a mask because Rutgers students tend to be considerate of others and follow regulations. She said the combination of masking policies and vaccination mandates allows her to feel safe being on campus.  

“I've never seen any problems with masking in any of my classes — people stay masked the whole time, and it makes everyone feel safe,” she said. “On the buses, too, I've never seen anyone without their mask, and I think this kind of compliance makes it much easier for everyone to feel comfortable taking the buses in the first place.”

Though, Dinh said she has seen students unmasked on the buses as well as the dining halls. Connor Cullinane, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, said he has sometimes observed faculty and students wearing masks only partially in classrooms and Brower Commons on the College Avenue campus.

“A lack of enforcement doesn't really bother me too much — it all depends on the environment,” he said. “If people are alone or in small numbers in the residence halls or common areas, I don't care too much about masks. But when I see people without any masks in the Brower (Commons) food lines, not caring about others, it annoys me. Just be respectful and smart about when you wear a mask and when you don't. It's not hard.”

Cullinane said this non-compliance could be due to individuals disagreeing with the University’s decision to mandate masks while having already mandated coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations.

Carissa Sestito, a University spokesperson, said students can report any violations of Rutgers’ COVID-19 safety regulations including masking policies through the online COVID Observation Report. If individuals violating safety guidelines are threatening or harassing others, students can contact University Public Safety.

“The responsibility to enforce (COVID-19) requirements falls locally to faculty, deans, resident assistants, program managers, department heads and event coordinators,” Sestito said. “Faculty should ask students not complying with these protocols to leave their classrooms. Students are expected to comply with face covering requirements at all times while on campus.”