Document Number:
ACSP-0016
Document Owner:
Academic Support
Revision #:
v3.0
Status:
Approved

General Description

Policy Summary:

This policy addresses the issue of disability-related reasons for an exemption to the university’s face covering requirements.

Purpose:

Wearing a face mask is one important way to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a face-covering in public places, including universities, in a variety of different circumstances.  However, wearing a face-covering may be difficult for some people with a disability. To ensure equal access for students with disabilities under the appropriate federal, state, and local statutes, this policy addresses the necessary process for reviewing requests for reasonable modifications to the university's face covering requirements.

Scope:

​​​​​​This university policy applies to all Trinity University students. 

Policy Content

​​​​​​In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in alignment with the local ordinance requiring face coverings, and consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), Trinity University may require certain individuals on the Trinity University campus to wear a face covering while indoors and possibly outdoors if certain conditions cannot be met. This policy serves the university’s goal to help reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19. Trinity University has implemented environmental health and safety protocols for students, faculty, staff, and guests while on campus, which include guidance for face covering.  In some cases, wearing a face-covering is not possible due to an underlying condition or not being able to manipulate the mask independently. The university provides reasonable modifications to individuals with a disability who are unable to meet the requirements of wearing a face-covering. 

Students must provide advance notice of the need for accommodation to help ensure that there is adequate time to review the request and make a decision on a case-by-case basis. 

On the application, students must request the need for a face-covering exemption accommodation. Individuals with questions about what documentation is required should consult the COVID-19 Student Accommodation FAQ. 

On the Additional Accommodations Request Form, students must indicate a need for the face-covering exemption accommodation. Student Accessibility Services reserves the right to request additional documentation to support the student's request. 

The student must faithfully engage in the interactive process with Student Accessibility Services in the determination of whether a face-covering exemption accommodation is a reasonable modification. 

Students may be required, as a condition of their approval for the face covering exemption, to meet the following parameters: 
  • Weekly surveillance testing with the COVID Health Team on-campus
    • Students with a Face Covering Exemption may still be subject to the university's contact-tracing process, as the COVID Health Team will continue to use the same criteria for this student as others.
    • If a student with a Face Covering Exemption is identified as a close contact exposure, they will be required to quarantine despite their vaccination status. Vaccinated students who are a close contact exposure are usually allowed to forego quarantine BUT they MUST mask when indoors. If the student is vaccinated but is a close contact exposure, then they are not be permitted to move about campus, as they are a at higher risk for being infectious due to his status of exposure.
  • A mandatory 6 feet distance between the student and others in class
  • De-densifying other spaces where 6 feet separation is not possible, including separate lab sessions (SAS is happy to work with the department on scheduling and funding for facilitating this) or remote participation accommodations
  • Agreeing to avoid large crowds as much as they possibly can
If the university experiences a large outbreak university-wide, as defined by the COVID Health Team, this accommodation and the solutions for providing the accommodation may be altered. The Face Covering Exemption is ALWAYS subject to further review to ensure it is not a direct threat to the health and safety of the campus community. Please note that this may include a move to remote learning facilitated by SAS.
If a student with a Face Covering Exemption is identified as a close contact exposure, they will be required to quarantine despite their vaccination status. Vaccinated students who are a close contact exposure are usually allowed to forego quarantine BUT they MUST mask when indoors. If the student is vaccinated but is a close contact exposure, then they are not be permitted to move about campus, as they are a at higher risk for being infectious due to his status of exposure.
For more information on Trinity University's COVID-19 safety policies, please click this link. 

This may include consultations with other personnel at the University, such as General Counsel and/or Health Services.

Student Accessibility Services will provide timely notification of a decision on reasonable modifications to the face-covering policy via an emailed letter or other written means. 

Reasonable modifications may include, but are not limited to: 
  1. Approval for virtual engagement and learning in lieu of live, in-person means.
  2. Approval for alternative face-covering (i.e., face shield, other PPE)
  3. Approval for an exemption to face-covering requirement in socially-distanced engagement and learning by live, in-person means
  4. Other solutions in consultation with the appropriate faculty and university leadership
The intent of the reasonable modifications is the student's continued ability to be an active member of the Trinity community in engagement and learning opportunities. These reasonable modifications will allow the student the ability to participate, or benefit from, the programs offered or goods and services that are provided by Trinity University. 

Student Accessibility Services will involve academic departments and faculty, whenever possible, to explore the best options for reasonable modifications to the face-covering exemption policy that provide the best learning environment for the student's health and safety, as well as the health and safety of others in the campus community. 

Performance Evaluation

Consequences of Policy Violation:

Students who do follow the proper protocol for requesting a reasonable modification to the face-covering exemption are subject to the standard Trinity University COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocol until reasonable modifications have been approved by Student Accessibility Services.

Terms & Definitions

Terms and Definitions:

Term:

Definition:
Face-Covering For the purposes of this policy, a face covering is an item affixed to the face to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including cloth garments that cover the nose and mouth and/or medical-grade masks. 
Reasonable Modification A reasonable modification means changing policies, practices, and procedures, as needed, to provide goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to an individual with a disability. 

Related Documents

Related Content:

For more information and resources, please see the following pages: 

Revision Management

Revision History Log:

Revision #:

Date:

Recorded By:
v3.0 9/21/2021 4:55 PM Sheryl Tynes
v2.1 7/9/2021 3:08 PM Spencer Scruggs
v2.0 11/17/2020 2:44 PM Sheryl Tynes
v1.0 10/21/2020 2:49 PM Spencer Scruggs

 

Vice President Approval:

Name:

Title:
Sheryl Tynes Vice President for Student Life