Effective as of March 7, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy announced that masks and face covering are no longer be mandated for students, staff and visitors in New Jersey schools. In addition, the Governor has ended New Jersey's COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Rutgers University is still mandating that students and faculty wear masks even though the majority are fully vaccinated and boosted by requirement. Rutgers should move towards an approach of making masks optional, thus allowing individuals to decide whether or not they want to wear a mask. Going mask optional will improve the overall interaction between students and faculty, enhance the learning environment, and improve the mental and physical well being of all. 

Many other colleges and universities across the country are mask optional, shouldn't Rutgers take that approach as well? It is time for the students voices to be heard. Let's go mask optional in all indoor areas, classrooms and lecture halls!