Regents State of Emergency Lifted

On May 20, 2021 Board of Regents President Mike Richards lifted the Regents State of Emergency that had been in effect since March 18, 2020. At that time, community spread of the COVID-19 virus was increasing nationally and in Iowa, necessitating the State of Emergency proclamation.

Since then, significant improvements in the management of COVID-19 have been achieved. More than 1.2 million Iowans have been fully vaccinated against the virus with more taking the vaccine every day. Hospitalization rates have declined nationwide and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its social distancing, mask-wearing and isolation guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated. The Regents State of Emergency was lifted in light of these remarkable improvements.

With no Regents State of Emergency in effect, campuses can return to offering in-person academic coursework this fall with no social distancing or masking requirements. Faculty and staff will return to campus beginning July 1, 2021. Further, emergency waivers and authorizations previously ratified by the Board, including family care leave, academic program review and others, will expire this summer or next. 

Though vaccination is not required to return to campus, all members of the campus community are strongly encouraged to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. Iowa’s public universities will embark on a welcome return to traditional campus activities this fall with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us. 

Full Statement from President Richards Lifting Regents State of Emergency