Local college seeks flexibility on masking
Earlier this week, South Arkansas Community College President Dr. Bentley Wallace signed on with more than 30 other college and university leaders urging state legislators to allow “flexibility for local decision-makers when it comes to fighting” COVID-19.
Last week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that he planned to call the state legislature into a special session to give lawmakers an opportunity to consider amending Act 1002, which bans local government entities, including public school boards and colleges, from mandating masks.
The Legislature met this week, but failed to pass legislation allowing for local decisions on mask mandates; however, on Friday, a Pulaski County judge barred authorities from enforcing Act 1002.
On Thursday, Wallace said that when Act 1002 was signed into law, COVID cases were low; however, things have since changed.
“When this became law earlier this year, COVID cases were in decline, the Delta Variant was not
surging, and our ability to hold classes, extracurricular events, community events, corporate training, etc. was not in doubt,” Wallace wrote in and email to the News-Times. “Not being able to follow CDC recommendations regarding mask use for all students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors may lead to higher rates of transmission of the virus, particularly the extremely dangerous Delta variant.”
In late July, the United States Centers for Disease Control issued new masking guidance that recommended that everyone, including vaccinated persons, wear face masks indoors in parts of the country where the Delta variant of the COVID virus was fueling surges, such as Arkansas, according to the Associated Press.
The CDC also advises indoor masking for school teachers, students, visitors and other staff across the country regardless of vaccination status.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said vaccinated people “have the potential to spread that virus to others,” and acknowledged that many Americans are weary of the pandemic and do not want to return to prevention measures; however, she said, new scientific information forced the decision to change the guidance again.
While Wallace said the college does have some procedures in place for the 2021/2022 school year to prevent virus transmission, including policies to sanitize classrooms and other indoor public spaces regularly, masking proved to be effective in the previous school year.
“During the time that SouthArk was allowed to require masks, we were able to minimize on-campus transmission of the virus among students, faculty, and staff,” he said in the email. “With safety precautions in place, we were able to continue with in-person classes, special events, and commencement.”
“We will be watching the court proceedings closely over the coming days to see how things play out, and how that might impact our plans for this coming year,” Wallace said on Friday after the judge’s ruling.
Earlier this week, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas Tech University and Southern Arkansas University called on legislators, separately from the letter Wallace signed, to repeal Act 1002. The joint resolution cited the CDC guidance revision.
Mary Savin, chairman of UA’s faculty senate and a professor of microbial ecology, said the resolution was sent to Hutchinson and state lawmakers.
“Given the seriousness of the current covid-19 situation in Arkansas, we are requesting that the governor and legislature respect our and our families’ health and safety,” Savin said in an email to the Arkansas DemocratGazette.
Wallace said on Thursday, before Act 1002 was blocked, masks would be recommended for SouthArk students.
“The college will continue to provide masks, hand sanitizer, and resources to allow students to make informed decisions regarding mask use and immunization. We will continue to encourage social distancing when possible, and we will continue to sanitize classrooms and other indoor public spaces daily,” he said.
Online classes are still available as well, but Wallace noted that not every course of study lends itself to remote learning, for example, in the health science and technical programs.
A full list of SouthArk’s precautions can be found at southark.edu/covid19.