As Texas loosens restrictions for businesses and social gatherings, many colleges are sticking with their protocols for Covid-19 prevention — for now.
Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, a Republican, has ordered an end to a statewide mandate for mask use and other restrictions meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The order takes effect on March 10, but colleges can continue to enforce their own rules afterward.
Texas State University, in San Marcos, will keep its requirements for face coverings and classroom density in place through the end of its summer sessions, according to a news release. “At Texas State, we value personal interaction and engagement and believe these qualities can continue during the pandemic if we make safety our priority,” Denise M. Trauth, the university’s president, said in the release.
Texas Southern University, a public, historically Black college in Houston, is also keeping all of its current rules for social distancing and wearing masks.
Other campuses are weighing their options. The University of Texas system “is currently reviewing the order and consulting with state and higher-education agencies and officials to determine how it may affect our operations,” according to a statement.
Similarly, the Texas A&M system has announced that “rules and protocols at Texas A&M University regarding face coverings will remain in place until March 10, before which date the university will issue further guidance.”
Charlotte M. Canning, a professor of drama at the University of Texas at Austin, said it had chosen early on to work with students as partners, not opponents. She said she thinks students will continue to act responsibly when the state’s restrictions lift.
But some faculty members in the state are concerned that students will stop complying with campus rules.
Darrell A. Lovell, an assistant professor of political science and criminal justice at West Texas A&M University, in Amarillo, said students had largely followed the campus rules, but had been less responsible off campus. In addition, he said, he had heard students talk about not getting tested even when they felt symptoms of Covid-19, because they didn’t want to quarantine.
Lovell said many in the region had played down the seriousness of the pandemic; the governor’s new order will give students the ability to go out even more.