Mask Guidance for Instructors

This is a resource developed by the College of Arts & Sciences to assist with mask compliance in the classroom.

Mask Use Statement for Course Syllabi in Fall 2020

Community Standards in Our Course and Mask Use.

This fall semester, while we are in the midst of a global pandemic, all enrolled students are required to wear a mask covering your mouth and nose at all times in our classroom. This requirement is to protect our educational community — your classmates and me — as we learn together. If you choose not to wear a mask, or wear it improperly, I will ask you to leave immediately, and I will submit a report to the Office of Student Conduct. At that point you will be disenrolled from this course for the protection of our educational community. Students who have an authorized accommodation from Accessibility Resources and Service have an exception.

For additional information, see https://carolinatogether.unc.edu/university-guidelines-for-facemasks/.

Scenarios for Violating Community Standards in the Classroom

  1. If a Student Arrives to the Classroom Not Wearing a Mask

    [Instructor, to Student]
    As the instructor of this course, I see that you are not wearing a mask at this time. UNC Chapel Hill’s community standards require that all students wear masks in buildings and classrooms, including ours.

    Do you have a mask to wear? If so, put it on immediately. Otherwise, you need to leave this room and building right away to get one.

    [If student was in error and puts mask on immediately or comes back with one, no additional action. Follow up with an email after class to remind them that they must adhere to the community standard of mask wearing or be disenrolled from your course.]

  2. If the Student Declines to Wear a Mask

    [Instructor, to Student]
    Because you are not wearing a mask in my classroom, you are violating the UNC Community Standards. You need to leave this room and building now, and you will be removed from the course.

    1. If student packs up and leaves classroom immediately…

      [Instructor, to Rest of Class]
      All of you signed the community standards to protect our classroom and educational community. It is important to all of us. Now let’s continue with today’s class…

      Instructor Post-Class Actions

      1. Within two hours of the end of the class session, report this violation to Office of Student Conduct. The student will be disenrolled from your course.
      2. Within two hours of the end of the class session, email your director of undergraduate studies and department chair/dean to let them know that you filed a report.
      3. Graduate student instructors, please include your faculty teaching mentor in your email in (2).
      4. If you would like further support about managing this violation, please reach out to a member of your department’s administration.
    2. If student refuses to leave the classroom and/or behaves badly…

      [Instructor, to Rest of Class State…]
      Everyone: Because your classmate is choosing not to wear a mask in our classroom today, I am dismissing class right now. We will not be meeting in this space today. I will be in touch with you about your assignments and more information from today’s session. We will be meeting [name next class session].

      Instructor Post-Class Actions

      1. Within two hours of the end of the class session, report this violation to Office of Student Conduct. The student will be disenrolled from your course.
      2. Within two hours of the end of the class session, email your director of undergraduate studies and department chair/dean to let them know that you filed a report.
      3. Graduate student instructors, please include your faculty teaching mentor in your email in (2).
      4. Write an email to the class to make sure that they have information that was needed for the session and that they are aware of the material. If possible, hold an additional zoom session that can be recorded if the work cannot be accomplished asynchronously.
      5. If you would like further support about managing this violation, please reach out to a member of your department’s administration.