Dear Berkeley Law Students,
I am writing with a special plea. It is essential that you comply with the mask requirement at all times when in the building (except when eating in the locations identified below). I have received complaints about people being unmasked in classrooms, hallways, and shared study rooms. I know that most have been complying with the mask requirement. I also understand that masks are uncomfortable to wear all day. But wearing masks is crucial to protect the health of all of us. It is also critical to our successful return to in-person instruction and to the continued use of the building for classes, studying, meetings, and library research. Also, I don’t want to put the Law School staff in the role of enforcing this policy, or our needing to bring disciplinary actions for violations. Please wear your mask at all times while in the building, subject to the following, limited exceptions for eating and drinking.
We tried to strike a reasonable compromise that gives latitude for eating and drinking while still maintaining the masking requirement. If this doesn’t work, we’ll need to prohibit all consumption of food and drinks. As previously announced, our policy is that there is no eating during classes or anywhere in the library (including the Main Reading Room). Drinking is allowed by temporarily adjusting, but not removing, the mask. We ask that there be no eating or drinking in the hallways and lobbies. Those who are fully vaccinated may remove their masks to eat and drink in Cafe Zeb, during meetings and events that are held in classrooms or meeting rooms, or while alone in a private office. Any mandatory meeting with food must have a remote option (which includes asynchronous recording). You, of course, may also eat outside, including on Steinhart Courtyard and on the Roof Garden outside the Main Reading Room. Social distancing is strongly encouraged while eating.
Additionally, a reminder that under campus rules everyone coming into the building is required to complete the daily symptom screener.
Thank you all for your cooperation and understanding. I look forward to when the public health situation improves and masks are no longer needed, but at this moment they are an essential component of UC Berkeley’s public health blueprint for returning to campus.
I hope your first few days of classes are going well. It is truly wonderful to have everyone back in the building and to have in-person classes.
Warmly,
Erwin