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NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The masks are back – again – at Rutgers University.
On October 21, a state board rejected a legal challenge from Rutgers professor unions and ruled that RU is within its rights to not require face masks in classrooms and libraries.
The board is the Public Labor Relations Commission (PERC), which adjudicates labor issues of public employees.
In late September, Rutgers lifted its campus-wide face mask mandate. However, three Rutgers faculty unions said they have not yet been informed of the decision and will file a legal complaint with PERC.
“We learned (with little notice) that Rutgers does not require face coverings in classrooms and libraries,” said Rutgers professors Rebecca Givan and Todd Wolfson, president and vice president, respectively. of Rutgers AAUP-AFT on October 3.
The professors won a temporary restraining order, and for most of October, everyone must wear face masks in the libraries. Rutgers professors may also request masks in their classrooms.
But the Rutgers administration vowed they would try to overturn PERC’s decision. On October 21, Rutgers executive director Antonio Calcado declared the operation a success. No one at Rutgers is required to wear a mask, except in clinical areas.
“The Public Labor Relations Commission decided this week that, pending a decision, our decision not to require face coverings in indoor teaching areas and libraries remains in effect,” Calcado said. in this story. “The latest decision from PERC means that face masks are no longer required in classrooms or libraries, pending further decisions.”
The Rutgers faculty union did not immediately return a statement in response.
“This has been our goal from the beginning,” the professors said earlier. “Give educators the power to weigh concerns and decide what’s best in their classrooms for the health and safety of themselves and their families, students and communities.”
Eyes are still needed in all clinical and laboratory areas at Rutgers.
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