This morning, students of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts (COFA) received an email alerting them that masks would be highly encouraged in the Fine Arts building due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the COFA student body. 

The policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, guests, and audiences within the Fine Arts building and is effective immediately until October 3. The email also advised that anyone who feels ill should stay at home.

The announcement raises concerns about the virus’s return.  

In the emails sent out, the COFA administration related the new mask policy to the “nationwide increase in COVID cases”. According to data from the CDC, hospitalizations in the U.S. have increased by 7.7% this week.

Masks are strongly encouraged in all areas of the building unless an individual is eating or drinking, performing, or actively speaking at a podium. They are being offered throughout the building, as well as the main entrance and the Dean’s office. 

Some students plan to take precautions in their own way. 

Darron Roberts, a cello major, said he understands the severity and whether or not he’ll wear a mask “depends on the situation or the class”. 

Professors can require masks in their classes university-wide. Kayla Prather, a junior music education major from Memphis, explained that some professors began mandating masks in their classes last week. 

Some students are speculating whether or not students, faculty, staff, and visitors who frequent the Fine Arts building have contracted the virus. 

Prather said she heard a professor contracted it. Cover2Cover has not spoken with this professor to confirm or deny this.

“It’s [the mask policy] always been optional so they had to go back and say it’s just optional. A professor had it last week—she was out [sick],” Prather shared.

Prather guesses freshmen may be contracting the virus as well, as it is common to get sick when you first set foot in an entirely new environment.

“You always get that first freshman cough. Yeah, you get sick that first few weeks,” Prather said. 

Questions about the number of COVID-19 cases within the College of Fine Arts remain unanswered. However, COFA administrators urge students to visit the Student Health Center to get tested for the virus and stay safe.

It’s fair to wonder whether ‘optional’ will eventually become required. And will the rest of the University follow suit?